History
What is The Vikings?
The Vikings were seafaring Norse people from Scandinavia who raided, traded, and explored across Europe and beyond from roughly 793 to 1066 CE. Famous as fierce warriors, they were also skilled sailors, traders, and settlers who reached North America.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the vikings.
Key things to understand
- 1They came from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark).
- 2Their age ran from about 793 to 1066 CE.
- 3They raided and traded across Europe in fast longships.
- 4They reached North America centuries before Columbus.
Frequently asked questions
- Where did the Vikings come from?
- From Scandinavia — modern Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
- What were the Vikings known for?
- Seafaring raids, trade, exploration, and skilled shipbuilding — plus reaching North America early.
- Did Vikings really wear horned helmets?
- No — that's a myth from later art; real Viking helmets had no horns.