During their brief, but world-changing, dominance in Northern Europe during the two and a half centuries known as the Viking Age, the warrior Norsemen from Scandinavia wreaked havoc and instilled...
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In Norse mythology, gods like Thor may steal all the thunder (no pun intended) but not to be outdone, the Asynjur (as the goddesses in the Norse pantheon of deities are collectively known) count...
Norse mythology is a colorful tapestry weaving together larger-than-life figures, rousing tales, and transcendent themes that attempt to explain the cosmos and the human condition through the Viking...
Of all the cultures and people that make up the rich tapestry that is human history, the Vikings are in a class all by themselves in terms of recognition, popularity, and perhaps even infamy. ...
From the 8th through the 11th centuries, the Vikings terrorized towns and nations throughout Europe. These Norse warriors overwhelmed opposing forces with their fighting skills. Even the...
There are different races of beings in Norse mythology: gods, humans, dwarves, elves, trolls, and giants. Of these, the gods and the giants figure most prominently in Viking myths and legends....
No figure is more significant in Norse mythology than the mighty "all-father" Odin. From creating the earthly realm in which the Vikings lived to hand-selecting fallen warriors to join him in...
Is Valhalla Heaven or Hell? 10 Facts That Might Surprise You
During the height of the Viking Era, seafaring warriors from what is now Scandinavia terrorized Northern Europe as they raided and plundered towns and villages that could not defend against them. It...
15 Facts About Viking Women: Raiding, Marriage, Divorce, Rights, and More
Scandinavian women of the Viking era are among the most fascinating people in European history. The depiction of Viking women in 21st-century popular culture has led to a lot of questions about them....
Iceland’s epic landscapes draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. [1] But it has so many exciting places that deciding which area to visit can be challenging. From Reykjavik to the...
The Nordic countries share a history that goes back hundreds of years. [1] A common Norse heritage, a shared Lutheran faith, and centuries of cultural exchange mean their society displays many...
Norway has a rich history going back over 1000 years. Like many of their European counterparts, Norway also had a long history of royalty ruling the country. This royal history dates back to the...
Nordic countries like Norway are tourist hotspots for several reasons, including their rich cultural and archaeological histories. Still, the wildlife that calls the region home are some of the most...
Iceland's name is a topic of debate amongst many people, as its sister island, Greenland, is far more frigid than Iceland. However, Iceland's name tells a story about the Vikings who attempted to...
The general impression of the Scandinavian people is that they're typically light-haired, light-skinned, and light-eyed. There's an incredible variation of eye color among Europeans, from gray to...