I hear that most people view them as ruthless, and killed everyone in their path, do you think thats true?
2007-01-13 10:32:14 · 6 answers · asked by Dillan J 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Well, first of all, although we today tend to call all the Northmen of the 9th-11th centuries "Vikings" that is inaccurate. The people were the "Norse" and were divided in to various tribes likes the "Danes" and the "Rus" (and others). "Viking" was something that some of them did.
The word "viking" comes from the Old Norse word for a "detour." So to go Viking was turn aside from normal routine and do something else - like raiding Lindisfarne or trying to find Vinland.
The are several theories of why the Norse turned to viking. One is that an extended warm spell in the 8th century made more of Scandinavia arable, thus raising the population. Too many people trying to farm limited land around the fjords then pushed people outward. The leading edge of this outward movement where the men who went "vikingr" (to use the Norse word) - that is raiding other coasts in their drakkars (dragon-headed ships).
So, if you use "Viking" to mean the entire culture and people-group, then no, I don't think the statement that they were ruthless and killed everyone in thier path is true. However, if you use "Viking" in the accurate sense of the Norsemen who went viking (that is those who turned to piracy and raiding), then perhaps ruthless is the best word to describe them.
2007-01-13 15:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by Elise K 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Vikings from hundreds of years ago, were ruthless and murdereous. The were true pagans, and had no mercy on their victums, if they were against them. They were great warriors of the cold Sea and could overtake many vessels . They were pirates. BUT they were good to their own. They treated their women good and had Great Love for their children. When it came to battle, they most always won. Then as Christianity came to the Scandinavian shores, the evil ways started to disperse. I suppose many continue to have the same thoughts of the Norwegians. I know the Irish were not very fond of them as were some other cultures. When they saw the Vikings coming they lived in dread. Some of the Norwegians today, still carry the same traits as being strong and still continue to be the Great Fishermen of the Sea. Norway has the best Navy in the world. The Vikings are not brutal nowdays. They have become peaceful and Christians. Alt pa Norge !!
2007-01-13 20:08:02 · answer #2 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i vew them...as my ancestors! i'm half swedish and finnish.
i'm not being biased in this but they weren't ruthless all the time. certain tribes were more ruthless than others - i read a book for school once and it said that they could be peaceful traders and many other things. some were stationary and had large villages and created lots of trade routes. others liked to constantly move on the sea (mostly the men) and raid villages to get food and other things.
2007-01-13 18:39:19 · answer #3 · answered by skigrrl66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it is a big lie told by the catholic church leaders because the Vikings were Pagans. they were a friendly agrarian society with no more weapons or conquests than any other land at the time. they were bold sailors and did raid a few towns for supplies, but it was all exagerated by the church fathers. They were never as cruel or harmful as the catholics were at that time.
Vikings are good people.
2007-01-13 18:43:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thats what history says. They rummaged and pillaged villages. Robbing, raping and killing. But I wouldn't know, since I wasn't there. It might not be true for all vikings.
2007-01-13 18:36:23 · answer #5 · answered by Donovan G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
vikings were fighting against a brutal dictator , so yes i believe they were ruthless when they had to be
2007-01-13 18:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋