Video: Bloodthirsty warriors in horned helmets or what the Vikings really were
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
They roamed all over the world, but were always ready to return home. They discovered far-off unseen lands that were inhabited by winged serpents and giants. They defeated sea monsters and formed the unique Edda. They inspired fear and awe throughout medieval Europe, were born warriors and bloodthirsty monsters. They could also drink and not get drunk when they had horned helmets on their heads. Even today, the most incredible myths circulate about the Vikings, and anyone seeking fame can envy their popularity.
These people started kissing era in the medieval history of Europe … According to one of the most widespread historical versions, in their homeland they were known as Vikings, in the lands of the Slavs and Arabs - as Varangians, in Europe - as Normans. They had many names and were known almost all over the world. The fame of the Vikings has reached our days, and with it a number of misconceptions. There are more than enough reasons for this: hatred of the Vikings of other peoples, incorrect translation and interpretation of historical sources, and finally, just a rich imagination of people.
To begin with, it would be worth saying that the biggest misconception about the Vikings is their helmets. To this day, no historians no archaeologists have been able to find a single confirmation of the fact that the Vikings wore horned helmets … This stereotype could have appeared during the Viking raids. Christians considered this people of pagans to be accomplices of the devil and, as a result, they could well rely on horns in the descriptions.
Another misconception is that the Vikings could drink and not get drunk. According to common sense, this is not only impossible, but also ridiculous. Although, the harsh climate, of course, could contribute to the formation of a certain immunity to alcohol. Even in the Kiev chronicles there is information that not a single Slav will get drunk on a Varangian.
In modern culture, the Vikings are fond of being portrayed as bloodthirsty pagans who do not know pity for the enemy either in war or in a predatory raid. Obviously, such behavior should not be reproached with the Normans, since at all times any of the peoples in the hour of war is capable of terrible deeds, and it would be superfluous to reproach the people of seafarers for excessive bloodthirstiness. This also includes the speculation that every Viking was a born warrior. This is not true. Viking is a very broad concept and does not mean a warrior, but a navigator. At the beginning of the Viking Age, this craft was mainly used by people looking for a better life for themselves, and people forced to look for a new land on which they could work, or simply adventurers hungry for adventure and easy money. Therefore, the Vikings are no less colonists than warriors. At the same time, the Normans were born traders, this is evidenced by the trade routes of the Vikings "From the Vikings to the Greeks" and "From the Vikings to the Arabs".
They had no less military skill, but it was achieved not only by valor. The Varangians were skilled blacksmiths and, contrary to popular belief, hardly armed themselves with crude axes. The traditional Viking weapon was the sword. There was a tradition among gunsmiths to test the sharpness of the blade. The sword was placed in a stream, across the current, and hair was lowered through the water. If the hair was cut against the blade of the sword, then the blade was good enough.
In Europe, the Vikings were feared and respected. In the Byzantine Empire, the Varangians were employed as mercenaries and even as the personal guard of the emperor. In the 10th century, the Vikings were given a land in France, which became known as Normandy. Subsequently, the local Varangians for a very long time defended the French from the encroachments of their fellow tribesmen. Finally, the Vikings visited the Slavic land, more than once changing the balance of power and the situation on it.
In addition to the cruelty of morals, the Vikings were not alien to honor, courage and the concept of justice, they were very hospitable, and many strangers lived in their lands, who often merged with the communities of the Normans. The Vikings were not at all the "dirty animals" that they are often portrayed in popular culture. The Vikings cared very much about their appearance: Saturday was considered the day of “wash and hair”. In the messages of the Vikings, in addition to tools and weapons, many luxury items were found, as well as jewelry: brooches, bracelets, hair pins and others. The British called the conquerors of the Normans "neat" for the fact that the Vikings washed themselves once a week.
The subtle soul of the Varangian was hidden behind the harsh manners and customs. The Vikings created wonderful works of art. Do not forget that it was the Scandinavian heroic epic that became the ancestor of such a popular trend in literature and popular culture as fantasy. The honor of the Varangians occupied a special place at all. The oath to the gods was considered the most terrible. The Vikings, like many other peoples of antiquity and the Middle Ages, often concluded peace treaties and political agreements, sealed them with just one word, and jealously honored the treaties until the expiration of their obligations.
Finally, the Vikings were skilled sailors. They were the first to visit Greenland and Iceland, visited North America and even founded a colony there. They reached Asia and the northern coast of Africa. Their settlements and colonies are found along the entire coast of Europe. However, the Vikings were extremely resourceful. So, in order to keep the fire on ships while sailing, the Vikings used urine. Having relieved the need for a bowl, the Vikings soaked the mushrooms in the contents, after which the latter were thoroughly dried. Due to the sodium content in human urine, the mushrooms did not burn, but smoldered if set on fire. Slowly smoldering mushrooms in the bowl made it possible to keep the precious fire on the ship not only at the time of sailing, but even during a storm. Thus, the Vikings on long voyages could always warm up and count on hot food.
The Vikings were certainly a controversial people. Today, many books and scientific works are devoted to this amazing people, there are many clubs engaged in the study of Vikings, the restoration of their household items, clothing, weapons, thematic festivals are held. Like all pioneers, daring and restless, the Vikings left their mark on world history. As befits a real heroic saga about great people, each subsequent generation loses more and more connection and the true vision of their ancestors, "decorating" their deeds with more and more incredible legends. However, this is inevitable.
Recommended:
How Soviet soldiers survived, who were carried into the ocean for 49 days, and How they were met in the USA and the USSR after they were rescued
In the early spring of 1960, the crew of the American aircraft carrier Kearsarge discovered a small barge in the middle of the ocean. On board were four emaciated Soviet soldiers. They survived by feeding on leather belts, tarpaulin boots and industrial water. But even after 49 days of extreme drift, the soldiers told the American sailors who found them something like this: help us only with fuel and food, and we will get home ourselves
How were the trials of Nazi accomplices: How they were investigated and what they were accused of
At one time, these people were sure that their actions did not run counter to either the law or morality. Men and women who did their work as guards in concentration camps or otherwise contributing to the development of fascism, could not even imagine that they would have to appear not only before the judgment of God, but also to answer for their actions before people, according to the letter of the law. Their crimes against humanity deserve the most severe reckoning, but they are often ready to bargain for the slightest ambassador
Why do Vikings need horned helmets and other facts about what the ancestors of the Scandinavians really were
The mysterious history of the Vikings has fascinated people for centuries, causing much controversy and controversy about their lives. And while some enthusiastically praised the achievements and traditions of the Scandinavians, others, in contrast, talked about how these non-humans swept away everything in their path, sparing neither children, nor old people, nor women. So which of all this is true and who the Vikings really were, read further in our article
Why did German soldiers wear horned helmets?
For most of the twentieth century, Germany was considered an aggressive military power, and the image of a German soldier was hard to imagine without a helmet with horns. These steel helmets became a real symbol of evil, and those who wear them are still associated with Nazism. Why horns are needed on a purely military subject - further in the review
Were there really people in space before Gagarin, and their deaths were hushed up in the USSR?
It is hard to believe that space exploration for the USSR was so successful: the first attempt with human participation - and immediately good luck! During the tense rivalry between the Soviet Union and America, the temptation was too great to pass off wishful thinking in order to maintain the country's prestige. Therefore, among the then dissidents and today's skeptics, there are those who doubt the official version. It is impossible to say with certainty that Gagarin had no predecessors whose life ended in space