Viking Notes II

The Vikings’ Daily Life EQ: How did the Vikings affect other cultures?

The Vikings’ Daily Life People Family life was important. Households of 20-30 members—parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren

The Vikings’ Daily Life People Viking warriors were called “Berserkers” Believed being war-like brought honor from the gods

The Vikings’ Daily Life People Men took pride in their families Women had nearly equal rights Women could own property and attend public meetings

The Vikings’ Daily Life People No formal education for kids Girls were taught household skills Boys were taught to use weapons

The Vikings’ Daily Life Religion Worshipped the Norse gods before Christianity Odin, Thor, and Freya were most important Eddas – Poems about their gods Sagas – Stories and myths told over several days at feasts

The Vikings’ Daily Life Language Germanic in origin The Norse language changed into four distinct languages today: Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic Runes – are the written characters of the Norse languages before Christianity

Viking Explorers Swedish Vikings crossed the Baltic Sea and travelled down rivers toward what is now Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.

Viking Explorers Norwegian Vikings crossed the North Sea invading Irish towns like Dublin, Waterford, and Cork. The Norse introduced the use of money to Ireland, along with words like margadh (market) and pingin (penny).

Viking Explorers Danish Vikings crossed the North Sea and took over much of the NE part of England. This region became known as the Danelaw.

Viking Explorers An explorer from Norway named Erik the Red, set up a colony on Greenland.

Viking Explorers Erik the Red’s son, Leif Eriksson, explored the northeast coast of North America and named the area Vinland. Today this region is called Newfoundland, a province of Canada.