While the Vikings did not celebrate Christmas, the end of the year when the nights were at their longest, darkest, and coldest, was an important time of year. It was marked with a 12-day festival called Yule (or Jul). When Scandinavian countries converted to Christianity, many Yule traditions were transformed into Christmas traditions. We’ve previously…
When Iceland was settled by the Vikings in the 9th century, it was established as a commonwealth of chiefs. They needed to find a way to agree on laws and solve disputes. They did this by establishing an Althing, a national assembly based on smaller regional Things that were common among German tribes for at…
In Norse mythology, the concept of the soul is not a singular, unified entity but a composite of various elements, each with its unique role and characteristics. In fact, the old Norse word for soul, sál, was only created after the Vikings started to convert to Christianity. This article delves into the intricate Norse understanding…
Since religions and mythology are often inspired by the things that we see in the natural world around us, it is no surprise that animals play an important role in most religions. Norse mythology is no different. Animals are important characters and motifs in the stories of the creation and destruction of the world, and…
Looking at the skeletal remains surviving from the Viking world, we know that the Vikings had some knowledge of medicine and healing. Skeletal remains from Skeljastadir in Iceland dating from 1000 to 1200 suggest that the settlement had a robust and healthy population that lived to a ripe old age for the day. We have…
The Hrafnkels saga, one of the lesser-known sagas of Icelanders, is an extraordinary narrative that unveils the intricacies of justice and morality in Viking law. The story asks whether terrible acts can be justified by religious devotion, the worthiness of revenge, and what it takes to gain respect in Viking society. Read on for a…
The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of the Byzantine Army, serving as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine Emperors from the 10th to the 14th century. They were called Varangians, which was a Byzantine term for people from the Viking region because they were mainly recruited from Vikings from Scandinavia traveling in the Baltic region,…
Most people who are interested in the Viking world and Norse mythology have heard of Valhalla. It is an afterlife realm ruled over by Odin. He picks the bravest fallen warriors to live there among the gods and fight alongside them at Ragnarok. Today, it is held up as the ultimate goal of all true…
The Vikings are renowned for their daring voyages, fierce raids, and rich mythology. Yet, beneath the helmeted warriors and their tales of valor lies another facet of Viking civilization that is equally fascinating their trade networks. Viking trade routes, which extended across Europe, Asia, and even into North America, were instrumental in shaping the Viking…
It feels like almost every day there is news of a new Viking burial discovered in someone’s backyard or during new construction work. These sites reveal stunning pieces of jewelry, formidable weapons, and new insights into what the Vikings thought about both life and death. Let’s take a look at four recent and interesting Viking…