From the end of the 8th century to the beginning of the 11th century, Europe went through a time called the Viking Age. The Vikings came from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in Scandinavia. They were seafaring fighters, traders, and explorers who went far from their homes.

The Vikings had a big effect. They set up homes all over Europe, including the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, and parts of the European mainland. In doing so, they left an indelible mark on the places they went, changing language, society, and how things were run.

Vikings didn’t just go on raiding trips; they also traded and set up profitable networks that linked faraway places. Their longships, which were fast and had a shallow draft, let them travel on rivers and along the coast, which opened up new trade paths.

In the end, the Viking Age ended when the Scandinavians became Christians and the old Viking way of life went away. Still, their impact lives on. They are remembered for their exploration, skill, and the rich sagas and literature they left behind, which give us important information about this amazing time.