2. Who Were the Vikings? The Vikings – a group of seafaring people most active from from the 8 th to 11 th centuries From the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Present-day map of the Scandinavian Peninsula

4. The Vikings The Vikings: – Carried round, wooden shields – Sailed on longships

6. The Viking Age Historians are uncertain what motivated Vikings to raid Possibilities: – Acquire riches – Needed resources due to poor farmland at home

8. Erik the Red - Nicknamed for his temper and red hair - Banished from Norway and Iceland for murder - Started a Viking colony on Greenland

9. Leif Eriksson - Son of Eric the Red - Discovered North America 500 years before Columbus. - Called Canada Vineland (Wineland)

11. Viking Religion The Vikings worshipped multiple gods, including: –Odin: God of battle and death –Thor: god of thunder and the sky In Norse religion, those who died in battle could go to Valhalla, a majestic hall ruled over by Odin Odin

12. What Happened to the Vikings? Raiding became less profitable Many Vikings converted to Christianity Targets became more fortified