5 myths about Vikings that everyone believes - Stephanie H. Smith

The Viking Age: Dispelling Myths and Examining Realities

Key Concepts: Viking Age, Old Norse, Runes, Viking Raids, Scandinavian Society, Viking Funerary Practices, Viking Technology, Historical Misconceptions, Nationalism & Viking Revival.

Origins and Timeline

The term “Viking” itself originates from Old Norse, referring to an act of maritime raiding. While traditionally pinpointed to the 793 CE raid on the Lindisfarne monastery in England – described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as an attack of “fiery dragons” – recent archaeological discoveries in Estonia suggest Viking activity began decades earlier. The Viking Age persisted for approximately 300 years, spanning the 8th to 11th centuries. The end is conventionally marked by the 1066 battle won by English troops, though some incursions continued afterward.

Motivations and Societal Context

The causes of the Viking Age are complex. Volcanic activity in the mid-500s triggered a mini Ice Age, destabilizing Scandinavian society and fostering a more militarized culture. Local chieftains maintained authority through gift-giving, and wealth-acquiring expeditions served to reinforce their power. While not all Scandinavians participated directly in raids, these offered young men a path to wealth and the ability to afford land and marriage. The society was patriarchal, but recent archaeological evidence suggests a more nuanced understanding of gender roles is needed. A 2017 analysis of remains from an 1878 gravesite revealed a high-status warrior to be female, challenging traditional assumptions.

Technology and Expansion

New seafaring technology was crucial to Viking success. Their ships were capable of navigating both shallow rivers and open oceans, facilitating raids and trade. Viking expansion evolved from small-scale attacks on coastal communities to sieges of cities and the establishment of permanent settlements. This expansion led to extensive trade networks, with Scandinavian chieftains acquiring luxury goods like German wine in Egyptian glass, Chinese silks, and Indian gemstones.

Debunking Popular Myths

Several popular misconceptions about Vikings have been perpetuated through history and popular culture:

• Horned Helmets: The image of Vikings wearing horned helmets is a 19th-century invention, popularized by Richard Wagner’s “The Ring Cycle.” Archaeological evidence shows horned helmets existed in Scandinavia 2,000 years before the Viking Age and were likely used for ritual purposes, not battle. High-status Vikings likely wore iron helmets with brow bridges, or leather caps.
• Skull Goblets: The practice of using enemy skulls as goblets, though recorded in the case of Shah Ismail, is a myth likely stemming from a 17th-century Danish scholar, Ole Worm, mistranslating a reference to animal horns.
• Funerary Practices: While the burning boat funeral described by 10th-century Arab traveler Ibn Fadlan along the Volga is often associated with Vikings, its authenticity and context are uncertain. Vikings practiced both burial and cremation, and depictions of elaborate, flaming arrow-filled funerals are likely modern inventions.

Viking Activities: Beyond Raiding

Viking activity encompassed more than just raiding. It included:

• Enslavement and Trade: Vikings enslaved and sold people into human trafficking networks, and sent captives to labor in Scandinavia and its colonies. Many Irish captives were sent to Iceland.
• Cultural Exchange: The acquisition of luxury goods demonstrates a wide-reaching network of trade and cultural exchange.
• Settlement and Integration: The Scandinavian diaspora flourished in Iceland and integrated into other European societies.

Runes and Literacy

Germanic peoples began using runes around the 2nd century CE, utilizing them to connect the physical and spiritual worlds. While runes were used to record some past events, detailed narratives were rare during the Viking Age. Old Norse only became a literary language after the adoption of Latin script by Christianized Icelandic scholars around the 12th century. Consequently, most contemporary accounts of the Viking Age originate from their victims and cultural outsiders, limiting our understanding of Viking self-perception.

The Revival of the “Viking” Concept

The term “Viking” fell into disuse for centuries, only to be revived in the 1800s during a period of European nationalism. It was invoked to represent a romanticized, shared Germanic past. This mythos continues to influence perceptions of the Viking Age today, even as new archaeological discoveries challenge previously held beliefs.

Conclusion

The Viking Age was a complex period characterized by raiding, trade, settlement, and cultural exchange. Many popular perceptions of Vikings are based on myth and misconception. Ongoing archaeological research and re-evaluation of historical sources are continually reshaping our understanding of this era, revealing a more nuanced and complex picture than previously imagined. The Viking Age serves as a reminder of the limitations of historical narratives and the importance of critical analysis.