Where did the Vikings come from?
The Vikings came from Scandinavia, precisely the countries we know as Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
The term Viking is used to refer the Scandinavian (Norse) explorers, warriors and merchants. They lived along the coastlines of Scandinavia, but they left these areas and went to explore, invade and settle other lands in Europe and the North Atlantic islands.
Some Vikings explored and traded with other tribes even with people in far Russia.
The period of Viking expansion is known as the Viking Age. It is an important part of medieval history of Scandinavian and even whole European history.
Many people know little about Vikings, and even if they do know something, it is often wrong.
So, here are few things about these brave warriors that you probably did not know:
Vikings did not wear horns on their helmets. Many historians say that probably Scandinavian people used them, but not Vikings.
The Vikings used ravens for navigational purposes.
Even they look like rude people; they treated their woman with respect. Their women could choose who to marry with and even ask for a divorce.
Vikings were extremely clean people. They made their own soap, tweezers and razors. They even bleached their hair!
The longest founded Viking ship is 23 meters long.
Many films, compositions and books were created inspired with the Vikings and their destiny and their courage.
There is even a genre in music called Viking metal, a sub genre of the heavy metal music.
