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Frank Maslawaz

Mr. Small

Brit Lit 114/02

19 September 2019

The Vikings and Their Accomplishments

Over the centuries, the Vikings have been wrongly labeled as nothing more than ruthless

marauders leaving no nothing behind. However, after close examination, historians and people of

literature found that these Norsemen actually were very advanced and intelligent for their time

period and we still use some of their inventions today. For example, the way that they built their

ships and navigated the sea was way ahead of their time and changed the art of shipbuilding and

navigation for years to come. Their weapon and way of warfare have also influenced many

civilizations in the years after them up to the present day. Trading systems created by the

Vikings also can be accredited for the influence of the flourishing economy of Europe and

Scandinavia.

Shipbuilding and Navigation

One of the Vikings’ more known accomplishments and reasons for their legendary status

is their skills in shipbuilding. These ships allowed them to travel great distances and get through

harsh weather, which was something that no one preceding to them could do. Not only were

they able to travel far distances, but they were able to plan surprise raids on enemies because of

the sleek design of the ships, allowing them to go far inland (Mason, Waldman). These ships also

were more easily maneuverable than other ships at the time, due to the oars that they used and
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the size of the ships themselves. They were much lighter in weight as well. ​Since most of the life

of the Vikings was centered around creeks and streams that were connected to the sea, they also

built smaller ​fishing boats and ferries for traveling inland (Danishnet). The Vikings’ way of

navigating through the seas was also very ahead of their time and influenced the way that future

civilizations would travel:

But the Vikings’ exploring prowess also owed a great deal to their skill as navigators.

They relied on simple but sophisticated tools like the sun compass, which utilized calcite

crystals known as “sunstones” to identify the position of the sun even after sunset or on

overcast days. Such innovations gave Vikings a distinct advantage when traveling long

distances to foreign lands. (Pruitt)

These new technologies that the Vikings had was what allowed them to have advantages over

their enemies in battle and in surprise. Much of their life was focused around their great skills as

men of the sea.

Weapons and Warfare

The Norsemen were not only known for their expertise in shipbuilding, but for their skills

in weapons and warfare. Some of these weapons that were used by the Vikings were swords,

axes, bows and arrows, lances, and spears. Weapons were very important to them, as they often

indicated their social status. “Whereas swords were the costly weapons of the elite, axes and

lances were affordable to the warriors of the broader population (National Museum of

Denmark).” These weapons were used for many reasons, the main reason being for battling and

raiding. The Vikings were trained warriors who were not afraid of death and took it head-on, for
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they believed that dying an honorable death in battle would bring them to Valhalla in the

afterlife. Not only did they have weapons, but they also had strong methods of defense. Shields,

helmets, and chainmail were some things that every Viking had on them in battle. Having a

weapon on them was not only a right of being a free man but also a duty for them to protect their

family and community (McCoy). These weapons that the Vikings had were used as influences to

all future civilizations who engaged in hand to hand battle and warfare.

Trading Systems

The Vikings worked hard for years and years to perfect their trade routes and systems.

The Vikings traded all over Europe through the sea to get the goods that they needed. Some of

the goods that they bought were silver, silk, spices, wine, jewelry, glass, and pottery. In return,

they sold honey, tin, wheat, wool, wood, iron, fur, leather, fish, and walrus ivory (Sohail). The

Vikings also bought and sold slaves at their own leisure. The Norsemen’s expertise at navigating

the sea helped them build these systems and routes throughout Europe and even as far east as

Central Asia:

Around the beginning of the Viking Age in the eighth century, however, Scandinavia’s

first urban centers started to appear around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Although

only about 1-2% of the population lived in these “trade towns,” as they’re often called

today, their effect on the Scandinavian economy was far bigger than that figure might

suggest. That’s because the trade towns, as the term implies, brought Scandinavia into the

wider Eurasian trade networks that existed during this period. (McCoy)
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The Vikings wanted to engage in these trades because of the King’s want of luxurious goods

from foreign lands. They thought that it proved to people and other lands that they were of

importance and not to be reckoned with.

These reasons all support the conclusion that the Vikings weren’t actually as bad as they

were made out to be. Yes, they did plunder and raid viciously, but it was to survive in their time.

However, it is clear that the Norse were very advanced for their time and influenced many

civilizations for years to come.

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Works Cited

Dudley, Kerry. “Vikings and Shipbuilding.” ​Viking Ships and Shipbuilding​, 24 Aug. 2016.

Mason, Catherine, and Carl Waldman. “Vikings.” ​Encyclopedia of European Peoples,​ Facts On

File, 2006. ​Ancient and Medieval History

McCoy, Daniel. “Viking Trade and Commerce.” ​Norse Mythology for Smart People,​ Daniel

McCoy.

McCoy, Daniel. “Viking Weapons and Armor (Swords, Axes, Spears, Etc.).” ​Norse Mythology

for Smart People​, Daniel McCoy.

Pruitt, Sarah. “6 Things We Owe to the Vikings.” ​History.com​, A&E Television Networks, 16

Feb. 2016.

Richards, Gina. “Weapons.” ​National Museum of Denmark​.

Wallis, Sohail. “Viking Traders and Explorers - BBC Bitesize.” ​BBC News,​ BBC, 3 Sept. 2019.