1 / 17

The Vikings

The Vikings. Outline. Introduction Part I. Historical background Part II. Viking society and culture Part III. Viking mythology Part IV. Influence on Western civilization Conclusion References. Brynhild begs Odin An illustration from F. L. Spence Rhine Legends (1915). . Introduction.

kerem
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. Outline • Introduction • Part I. Historical background • Part II. Viking society and culture • Part III. Viking mythology • Part IV. Influence on Western civilization • Conclusion • References Dr. Montoneri

  3. Brynhild begs OdinAn illustration from F. L. Spence Rhine Legends (1915). Dr. Montoneri

  4. Introduction • The Vikings are Nordic peoples—Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians—who raided and settled in Europe between 800 and 1100 • They attacked Russia, the British Isles, the Atlantic and North Sea shoreline of the Carolingian Empire (France, Germany, and the Low Countries) • They eventually converted to Christianity and settled in the lands they had raided Dr. Montoneri

  5. Part I. Historical background • Scandinavia, name applied collectively to three countries of northern Europe—Norway and Sweden (which together form the Scandinavian Peninsula), and Denmark. The three countries grouped because of their historical, cultural, and linguistic affinities • The Scandinavian world had never come under Roman or Christian influence, and its population was small and dispersed • The Vikings began to raid their southern neighbors seriously and systematically around 800 Dr. Montoneri

  6. A Viking ship Dr. Montoneri

  7. Chronology • 790's Viking raids in western Europe begin • 844-845 Viking raids on Spain; Sack of Hamburg and Paris • 885-6 Siege of Paris • c.985 Eric the Red settles in Greenland • 1066-87 William I, king of England • 1091 Norman conquest of Sicily Dr. Montoneri

  8. Part II. Viking society and culture • The basic economy of Scandinavia was agricultural • Because the people of this world mostly lived along the coasts, fishing played a significant part in their lives, as did sea trade • Furs, timber, amber, and slaves (mostly from Slavic regions) were primary commodities • The basic social structure was that of small, free farmers who owed loyalty (along with taxes) to the headman or patriarch of the family • Men being away from home often, free women enjoyed a power unique in Europe Dr. Montoneri

  9. Part III. Viking mythology • The pre-Christian religion of the Vikings was similar to that of other Germanic tribes • They worshiped a number of gods, including Odin, the god of war and leader of the Norse gods; Thor, the god of thunder; and Balder, the god of light • Viking warriors believed that if they died heroically they would be called to dwell with Odin in Valhalla • Opposing the Norse gods were a host of evil giants, led by Loki Dr. Montoneri

  10. Odin, the Norse god of war and death, was accompanied by two wolves, Freki (translated as “fierce”) and Geri (translated as “greedy”). Dr. Montoneri

  11. Thor, god of thunder, son of Odin. "Thor's Day" is Thursday in English. He is the homologue of Zeus. Here picture of the MarvelComics Hero. Dr. Montoneri

  12. Part III. Influence on Western civilization • In 911 Charles III the Simple of France ceded Normandy (French for “territory of the Northmen”) to the Viking leader Rollo and his warriors • These Vikings, now called Normans, adopted the French language and ways and organized a strong state in Normandy • In 1066 William, Duke of Normandy, led his followers across the English Channel to conquer England • Robert Guiscard created the Norman kingdom of Sicily; Normans from Sicily also took part in the Crusades against the Muslims in the Holy Land Dr. Montoneri

  13. Part III. Influence on Western civilization • Around 982 Erik the Red led an expedition from Iceland which settled in Greenland. His son Leif Eriksson later landed on North America, called Vinland, or Wineland • The most advanced culture in Europe in the manufacture of arms and jewelry, as well as shipbuilding • The Vikings also displayed an ability to mobilize economic resources and to dominate a hostile landscape • Created prominent trading centers in England and France • Signs of the Viking influence are found in the languages, and place-names of the areas in which they settled (Dublin) Dr. Montoneri

  14. Routes of the Vikings Dr. Montoneri

  15. Conclusion • The Vikings were one of several waves of attackers to fall on Europe during the Middle Ages • They traveled as far as North America in the West and Russia and Constantinople in the East • Christian Europe’s ability to resist their attacks grew; the Vikings settled and converted to Christianity • They were great sailors and ferocious enemies, but also great storytellers and hard workers Dr. Montoneri

  16. References • http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561500/Vikings.html • http://www.pantheon.org/articles/b/brunhilde.html • http://odin.dep.no/odin/engelsk/norway/history/032005-990460/index-dok000-b-n-a.html • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings Dr. Montoneri

  17. Dr. Montoneri

More Related