The image of the Vikings in public perception is shaped by a focus on the raids that gave them their name. "The" Vikings are portrayed as wild, barbarian warriors who invaded the Christian European world in droves on their longships. Their raids are equated with an inevitable natural catastrophe or - as it is partly formulated in the traditions of Christian monks - as God's judgement for the sins of Christendom.
The fact that this image of this multi-layered and fascinating culture, which is still so central today after more than 1000 years, results primarily from the anything but objective records of Christian monks often goes unmentioned in these depictions. It is therefore important to look at this so central aspect of the Viking Age from an archaeological perspective. This will allow the old myths to be re-evaluated and, in many respects, replaced by facts.
Group
Books (first-hand)
Author
Toplak, Matthias (Hrsg.)
Title
Die Wikinger. Seeräuber und Krieger im Licht der Archäologie
Details
With approx. 120 mostly coloured illustrations, large format. 136 pp.
State
new
Herder Verlag GmbH Hermann-Herder-Str. 4 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
