1 / 11

The Vikings

The Vikings, known for their raids and farming, invaded coastal regions of Britain, France, North Africa, and beyond from 800 to 1100 CE. Their expansion was driven by factors such as overpopulation, the lure of riches, and favorable climatic conditions for sea travel. Notably, their incursions instilled fear, as illustrated in Alcuin's letter describing the devastation wrought upon religious sites. Over time, they converted to Christianity, established settlements, and assimilated into existing populations, influencing political and economic structures, especially in Kievan Rus.

usoa
Download Presentation

The Vikings

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Vikings

  2. Who? • Scandinavian raiders & farmers • Raided but also planted settlements and eventually blended in with the populations

  3. When and why? • Circa 800 CE – 1100 CE • Push factors: overpopulation at home, booty to be won abroad, warming global temperatures made northern sea travel easier.

  4. 'Lo, it is nearly 350 years that we and our fathers have inhabited this most lovely land, and never before has such terror appeared in Britain as we have now suffered from a pagan race, nor was it thought that such an inroad from the sea could be made. Behold the church of St Cuthbert spattered with the blood of the priests of God, despoiled of all its ornaments; a place more venerable than all in Britain is given as a prey to pagan peoples...'. - Letter from Alcuin to Ethelred, king of Northumbria

  5. Where? • Mainly coastal areas • Britain • France (Normandy) • North Africa • Russia and Byzantium • North America, Greenland, Iceland

  6. Results? • Caused chaos and fear short-term • Slowly converted to Christianity • Settled down and integrated

  7. Kievan Rus

  8. Political Structure • Ruled by a series of princes – the city of Kiev’s prince was the leader and strongest • Rural with many peasants

  9. Economic Structure • Kiev and other cities made money off of trade • Amber and furs were traded down the main rivers toward the Black and Caspian seas

  10. Cultural Attributes • Converted to Orthodox Christianity in the 900s • Hierarchal church structure with leadership from the much admired Byzantine Empire and Patriarch in Constantinople

More Related