In the world of history, the Vikings are considered a manifestation of both brutality and bravery. These warriors are often portrayed as ruthless killers roaming the seas in search of blood and plunder, armed with sharp axes and helmets adorned with horns. But does this simplistic image reflect the historical reality of the Vikings? In this article, we explore the concept of violence in the Viking Age, highlighting how social and political contexts influenced their depiction. From their early raids to their behavior as farmers and traders, we will delve into the depths of this complex era to understand whether the Viking reputation is truly deserved.
Understanding Viking Character: More Than Just Warriors
We sometimes imagine Vikings in our minds as barbaric warriors wreaking havoc in the lands they attack purely out of primitive instinct. But does this stereotype reflect reality? Historical studies suggest that the Vikings were not mere marauders, but part of a complex historical context. Between 793 and 1066, Europe faced difficult circumstances, to put it in its timeframe – conflict and bondage grew, attacks came from all sides, and Viking raids were among those attacks. This was the time when they emerged as invaders in lands such as Britain, where they were accustomed to attacking wealthy monasteries since these sites were weak in defense and rich in resources.
The attack on Lindisfarne Abbey in 793 is regarded as the most famous and significant raid marking the beginning of the Viking Age. This attack showcased the Vikings’ skill in using fast ships – the longships – to launch surprise attacks. These ships allowed them to reach shores quickly, enabling them to execute their raids without warning, making it difficult to defend against the targeted areas. Although the Vikings were known for being violent warriors, they were also traders, farmers, and fishermen, broadening our understanding of them as individuals.
Religious and Cultural Influence on Viking Images
The image of the Vikings was heavily influenced by religious and cultural trends. At their time, they followed pagan religions, while their victims were Christians, leading to the Vikings being depicted as embodiments of violence and savagery. Historians, such as Caitlin Ellis from the University of Oslo, note that the raids were considered a divine punishment for societies that experienced corruption or sinfulness. Christian writings described the Vikings as ‘heathens’, making the raids a terrifying practice for them, which exaggerated the violence and savagery in the remaining narratives.
As time progressed, stories about the Vikings continued to change and amplify. For instance, historians in the twelfth century described the Vikings as the harshest of savages. These writings were influenced by the social and political contexts of that period. Therefore, the idea that we compare the Vikings only with the writings of their victims may be somewhat misleading.
Analyzing Myth versus Reality: Vikings and Their Literary Images
There is no doubt that the Vikings came to raid European villages with savage imagery, but the written version of their history was not always reliable. In fact, researchers assert that the Vikings had a specific purity in their trading methods. Historians wrote that the Vikings attacked the town of Dorestad in the Netherlands three times, yet there is little archaeological evidence to support claims of widespread destruction.
The widespread existence of contradictory historical sources, such as the translator Brodentius in 834, who described the destruction of Dorestad, yet it still existed the following year. These contradictions suggest that the Vikings, even if they were raiders, were not always present in the environments described as having been destroyed. This raises the question: did things vary between enthusiasm and historical exaggeration?
Aspects
Policy of Violence in the Medieval Era
In the medieval era, the Vikings were not the only ones to invest in violence in their conflicts. Muslim attackers, such as the Saracens, as well as the Hungarians, conducted raids in many European countries. The harsh image of the Vikings may stem from the fact that they represented groups not tied to a strong nation-state or centralized monarchy. They were seen as ‘pirates’ rather than a regular army, which led to their perception as more barbaric compared to other invasions.
Historians note that the violence practiced by the Vikings was often mirrored by international leaders, such as Charlemagne in Francia, who was famous for the wars he waged against the Saxons. Thus, the question of violence and strategies of invasion relates back to the form of government and the consistency of their actions.
Source link: https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/vikings/were-the-vikings-really-that-violent
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