Viking Expeditions and Culture

From which region did the Vikings originate?

• Scandinavia

• North America

• Ireland

• Normandy

Why is the Vikings' reputation as bloodthirsty wild men likely exaggerated?

• They were primarily farmers and traders.

• Their stories were mostly written by their victims.

• They only attacked isolated monasteries.

• They were known for their peaceful settlements.

What were the primary activities of Viking expeditions?

• Spreading their religion and culture.

• Exploring new continents and mapping the world.

• Raiding for treasure, trading goods, and settling new lands.

• Building alliances with other European kingdoms.

Why do historians consider sagas to be pseudo-history rather than completely accurate historical documents?

• They were written by non-Viking authors.

• They were written centuries after the Viking Age.

• They contain too many details about daily life.

• They were primarily used for trade records.

How did Viking culture interact with the local cultures in regions where they were a small minority, such as Normandy and Russia?

• They established separate Viking states and empires.

• They quickly blended with the dominant local culture.

• They forced the local population to adopt Viking customs.

• They maintained their distinct culture without any interaction.

What was the primary outcome of Leif Erikson's journey to North America?

• He established a permanent Viking empire in North America.

• He engaged in raiding, trading, and conflict with indigenous people, but did not establish lasting settlements.

• He introduced new agricultural techniques to the indigenous populations.

• He discovered a new route to Asia, bypassing the Silk Road.

Which of the following was NOT a type of item commonly traded by the Vikings or a major Viking trade hub?

• Soapstone cooking vessels

• Jewelry and weapons

• Silk and spices from Asia

• Hedeby and Dublin

From what source does most of our understanding of Norse mythology primarily come?

• Archaeological findings from the early Viking Age.

• Contemporary accounts written by the Vikings themselves.

• Later written accounts, such as the Prose Edda, often by Christians.

• Oral traditions passed down through generations in Scandinavia.