7802na+Ancient+Civ+report

Vicious Vikings: Vikings Weapons and Warriors

Nigel Arul

Reading Language arts, MP4, period 7-8 Mr.Schoch June 4, 2014 When you think of Vikings, you probably think of uncivilized savages with horned helmets and swords. Contrary to that belief, Vikings are very civilized people, they didn’t wear horned helmets, and they used a variety of weapons other than swords. The Viking civilization started originated in scandinavia. The word Viking means Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of northwestern Europe. You also might remember them because of the Minnesota Viking’s football team, but I am talking about the ancient vikings. An important and fascinating part of Viking culture was their warfare. Weapons and warriors were important to the Vikings because they fought a lot and it help them prevail in their battles. We can learn more about this cultural aspect by looking at the Viking’s weapons, ships, and tactics.

Although some people think that Vikings only used swords and axes, they actually used other weapons as well. The Vikings loved their swords, so much, that they gave them a name. Unlike other civilizations, Vikings used bows and arrows for hunting, not during wars. But, they used spears for battles. The modern spears we use today have steel blades on it, but the Vikings spears were all wooden. Even though people think Vikings use axes and swords, they actually use a variety of weapons.

It might seem abnormal to see people building a Viking ship, but Vikings were accustomed to building ships. They had many other kinds of ships for many other uses; like the warship, longship, and cargo ships. The Warships were used for battles, the longships were used for expeditions, and the cargo ships were used for cargo transportation. The Vikings called their ships drekar, or dragon-headed longships. Even though Viking ships may seem useless, but the Vikings used them for their expeditions and war.

The Vikings also had some very attenuated combat tactics. One of their tactics was the shieldwall, which is when soldiers would form a straight line and created a human shield. Another one of their tactics are their form of leadership; instead of the most competent warrior leading the world, the oldest actually leads the group. Although modern combat tactics seem the most reasonable, Viking stratagem are also very astute.

As you can see, Viking warfare is very complicated. Instead of making one kind of ship for everything, they chose to make three different ships for three different reasons. Unlike most civilizations, they have many tactics they use for wars. Even though Viking civilization may seem boring, it is actually interesting due to their uniqueness. Why would somebody name their football team “The Vikings”? Because they want their opponents to think that they are ruthless monster that will show no mercy. We now of course know that Vikings are civilized people.

GLOSSARY

Accustomed- used to, are familiar with Attenuated- unique, unnatural Astute- clever, smart Competent- skillful Drekar- dragon-headed longships Stratagem- tactics, strategy longships-a long, narrow ship, powered by oar and sail

RESOURCES

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 01 June 2014. "Did the Vikings Call Themselves Vikings?" Did the Vikings Call Themselves Vikings? N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. Hadingham, Evan. "Secrets of Viking Ships." PBS. PBS, 09 May 2000. Web. 03 June 2014. "The Vikings." : Ships, Seafarers & Life at Sea : Sea & Ships Fact Files : Sea & Ships : Explore Online : RMG. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014. "The Vikings (Living History Series) Hardcover." The Vikings (Living History Series): John D. Clare: 9780152005122: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. "THE VIKINGS." THE VIKINGS. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 2014. "You Wouldn't Want to Be a Viking Explorer! (Revised Edition)." Barnes & Noble. Scholoastic, n.d. Web. 16 May 2014.