Vikings were Norse or Scandinavian raiders and seafarers. From the late 8th to
early 12th centuries they raided wide areas of Europe and also established many governments, and trading networks. The Vikings were known for their ferocity and sailing ability. The word “Viking” does not describe the Norse or Scandinavian people as a whole, but rather it describes the Norse or Scandinavian
men who went sailing and raiding.
The vast majority of Viking raiders were
male, and the main reason they originally started their raiding was because they wanted to acquire women from foreign lands for sex and marriage. Viking
men would return from their raiding with large amounts of women that they had kidnapped. Polygyny was common, so rich and powerful Viking warriors had many wives and concubines.
Apart from Europe, the Vikings had activities in faraway regions such as North
Africa, and the Middle East. There is also ample evidence that Vikings had colonized parts of North
America. The Vikings have had an undeniable impact on the course of world
history.
