Expansion of Empires

Expansion of Empires

by snyder

lesson 1

The Vikings

Where were they from?

The Vikings came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This area is known as Scandinavia. 

They sailed, traded and raided across the Northern and Central Europe during the 8th century to the late 11th century.

Their Expansion

The Vikings explored the northern islands and coasts of the North Atlantic, including Britain, Greenland, Iceland, and North America, ventured south to France and the Mediterranean sea and North Africa and east to Russia, Constantinople, and the Middle East.

The Vikings did not expand or conquer much into mainland Europe. Their realm was bordered by powerful cultures to the south.

The Vikings seemed to get everywhere!

• Eric the Red founded a new settlement in Greenland.

• The Vikings were the first Europeans to reach America.

• The French king gave the province of Normandy to a Viking duke named Rollo to stop him attacking.

• The Vikings had settlements in Iceland in the ninth century.

• The Vikings settled in an area called Rus. The name Russia comes from this word.

• Constantinople was the main city of the Byzantine empire. The Vikings traded there

LONGSHIPS

The Vikings used longships to raid and steal from other lands.

The Longships were powered by sails or by rowing with oars.

Longships were crafted out of woods and were very effective across the surface of the waves. They used their boats for transporting cargo, trading and for exploring. 

Sagas and Runas

Viking children did not go to school so instead, lessons came in the form of Sagas or long stories. They described the adventures of great Viking warriors or gods. The Sagas were an important way to teach History, Geography and navigation. The Vikings often decorated buildings with pictures from famous sagas.

Sagas and Runas

The Viking alphabet was called the Futhark. The letters or runes were carved into wood or stone. The runes are made of straight lines so it is easier to carve them.

Weapons

Viking weapons were heavy and strong. The blacksmith would make these as well as jewellery. The metal would be heated up and then banged into shape. To make a weapon stronger, it would be plunged into cold water.

They made weapons like helmets, swords, axes, spears and shields.