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Signature Assignment Outline

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Background info: The term "Viking" originated from medieval Scandinavian

languages and described pirates or raiders who were involved in sea raids

(Nordeide, 2019).

B. Background info: The main territories the Vikings occupied were the

Scandinavian regions of present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (Augustyn,

2023).

1. Swedish Vikings and Baltic coast Vikings typically traveled eastward, being

mentioned in Old Russian and Byzantine records as Varangians, while the

majority of Norwegian and Danish Vikings moved westward and were

identified in Latin sources as the Normans (Shalamov, n.d.).

C. Thesis statement: Despite the Vikings being depicted as raiders, they played a

significant role in European history by influencing the socio-economic structure

of medieval Europe.

II. HISTORY

A. The Viking Age began with attacks on the British Isles from around 800 to 1050

in Scandinavia (Nordeide, 2019).

1. The Vikings founded a large number of cities and colonies, including Dublin and

Normandy.

2. Between 879 and 920, they established colonies in Iceland, which subsequently

served as the launching point for the colonization of Greenland (Nordeide, 2019).
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3. The end of the Viking Age is marked by the death of Harald the Severe in 1066,

which followed his unsuccessful campaign against England (Augustyn, 2023).

IV. CULTURAL CONTEXT

A. The economic structure of Scandinavia during the Viking Age encompassed a blend

of cultivated agriculture, livestock management, fishing, and hunting, complemented

by the collection of resources from both land and sea (Nordeide, 2019).

B. The Vikings lived in large family groups where children, fathers, and grandfathers

lived together (Nordeide, 2019).

1. In the 9th-11th centuries, Scandinavian peasants lived in modest one-room houses

made of tightly fitted vertical beams or wicker coated with clay, while wealthier

individuals resided in spacious rectangular houses accommodating numerous

relatives (Groeneveld, 2018).

C. In U.S. culture, Vikings are popular characters in many books, movies, and television

series that portray fearlessness, courage, and power.

1. Popular TV shows like "Vikings" have contributed to this representation,

portraying the historical figures in dramatic and sometimes romanticized ways

(Wikipedia, n.d.).

D. The social structure of Viking society contained elements of both individualistic and

collective traits, with distinct social divisions, including slaves, free people, and

military nobility (Nordeide, 2019).

1. The most significant decisions in Viking society were determined by gathering all

free men, known as the Thing, which convened regularly at a designated time and

location (Short, 2023).

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2. The Vikings recognized the concept of blood feud, where the consequences of

one Viking killing another depended on the circumstances and the victim's social

status, potentially resulting in a truce, monetary compensation, or, in the case of a

blood feud, a retaliatory form of revenge (Byock, 2003).

E. Viking art is unique and characterized by intricately crafted artifacts such as

metalwork, woodcarvings, and runestones (Snow, 2020).

F. Viking society adhered to strict traditions and a moral code, where violating

behavioral norms resulted in dishonor, societal condemnation, and social exclusion

(Short, 2023).

1. Further, the culture emphasizes the importance of being loyal to family and

community, following traditions in different relationships, upholding norms of

hospitality, engaging in gift-giving, and placing significance on keeping

promises (Short, 2023).

2. Violating an oath or vow of allegiance, and especially conscious betrayal,

were considered terrible sins for the people of that era, which influenced the

reputation of the descendants of a coward and traitor (Short, 2023).

G. In the Viking Age, the Norse people adhered to a polytheistic belief system,

worshipping a pantheon of gods and goddesses like Odin, Thor, Freyja, and Loki

(Encyclopedia, 2023).

1. The Vikings conducted religious rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices in sacred

spaces such as temples and outdoor sanctuaries (Encyclopedia, 2023).

V. SEX AND GENDER ROLES

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A. Women and men in Viking society had different roles in craft production, domestic

tasks, religious life, and war (Nordeide, 2019).

1. While activities like smithing and shipbuilding were traditionally considered male

roles, textile production was a conventional female activity (Nordeide, 2019).

2. During the Viking Age, evidence suggests that women enjoyed favorable

conditions, holding authority and respect within their social groups, particularly in

marriages that were viewed as unions of equals and families (Nordeide, 2019).

VI. ACCULTURATION

A. Acculturation among the Vikings, shaped by their extensive interactions with various

cultures during raids, trade, and settlement, led to the blending of traditions, beliefs,

and practices, influencing both the Vikings and the societies they encountered

(Nordeide, 2019).

Conclusion

The Vikings were a diverse and adaptable society with a rich cultural heritage. While

often associated with raiding, their social structure included farmers, traders, and explorers. The

roles of men and women varied, with women involved in textile production and men engaged in

activities like smithing and shipbuilding. Acculturation played a significant role in their social

dynamics, as interactions with different cultures during exploration and settlement led to the

exchange of ideas and the blending of traditions.

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References

Augustyn, A. (2023, November). Viking. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Viking-people/The-Carolingian-empire-and-France

Byock, J.L. (2003). Feuding in Viking-Age Iceland’s Great village. Ashgate Publishing Co.

https://viking.ucla.edu/publications/articles/feuding_viking_age_iceland_byock_vengeance

.pdf

Encyclopedia. (2023, November). Religion in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/culture-magazines/religion-scandinavia-and-

eastern-europe

Groeneveld, E. (2018, October). Viking art. World History Encyclopedia.

https://www.worldhistory.org/Viking_Art/

Nordeide, S.W., & Edwards, K.J. (2019). The Vikings. Arc Humanities Press.

https://web.s.ebscohost.com/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/ZTAwMHhuYV9fMjIyOTkzNl9fQ

U41?sid=4d6be464-da70-4ed9-a24e-7f08a75b5de5@redis&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

Shalamov, V. (n.d.). Varangians. New World Encyclopedia.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Varangians

Short, W.R., Oskarson, R.A. (2023, n.d.). The structure of Viking society. Hurstwic.

https://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/society/text/social_classes.htm

Snow, A.C. (2020, October). Art of the Viking Age. Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/viking-

art/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vikings (TV series). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikings_(TV_series)