Western Civilization I / Unit 10 WC1 0918 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Why the Vikings Came: Baltic Wealth and the Sailed Longship
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The idea
About seven hundred the Baltic's furs, timber and amber drew wealth into Scandinavia, and sails added to longships let Vikings cross seas and row up rivers. Silver and slaves were the targets, monasteries the favorite.
In practice
Others called them Northmen, heathen men, or Rus.
Where people slip
Wealth and technology explain the raids, not paganism. Terror at their paganism was the victims'.
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