The brave Vikings: a ship and a way of life

History has been created for a long time by different people and peoples. A huge contribution to the development of human civilization was made by scientists and dreamers. But no less merit in that and the soldiers: during the campaigns they studied the face of the planet, made a map, got acquainted with the diversity of flora and fauna. Mighty conquerors, terrorizing all coastal lands, and brave travelers, conquerors of waters and skilful merchants. I wonder who is talking about? Of course, these are Vikings. Their ship was also a home, a means of transportation, and the last shelter in which they went to another world. The significance of this structure in the life of the Scandinavians is difficult to overestimate.

Scanty nature, difficult conditions for life were determined not only by the occupation and nature of the Vikings. It was reflected on the development of the culture of their neighbors, both immediate and more remote. The Scandinavians lived by births, which were ruled by the kings. Often these sea kings did not have their own land holdings, but controlled a certain water area. All members of their clan entered their squad and went on camping trips. Vikings, whose ship was considered the main wealth and value of the tribe, were obliged to take care of the ship carefully. He was sheltered from the weather, stored in a special barn when not used.

The Viking ship, whose photo is given in this article, was built by the whole population, in a fold. After all, this structure was not only expensive, but also labor-intensive and complex. Equipment and provisions were also stockpiled by joint forces - the whole future life of the community depended on a successful campaign.

In that distant era, vessels of different types were built by the Vikings. A ship of one type was intended for sailing in the estuaries of rivers and along a fjord-cut coast. Others were more stable and maneuverable, so they were boldly sent to the waters of the Atlantic. With the development of navigation, the ships became larger, with a higher carrying capacity. Already at the end of the tenth - at the beginning of the eleventh century the Norwegian konungs could launch a ship fifty meters long, for the control of which thirty or more pairs of oarsmen were needed. Also, the brave Normans widely used the sail.

What were the Viking ships called? "Big Snake", "Dragon" - they terrified the English, German and French lands only by their appearance. Undoubtedly, they were the pride of their owners, so they were adorned very skillfully. Carved wooden sculptures (snake, dragon's head) were installed on the stern or nose of the ship. They not only frightened the enemies, but also protected from evil spirits. On land they were filmed, because the Scandinavians believed that their monsters could anger the local gods.

Without a doubt, some astronomical knowledge was not alien to the brave explorers. Vikings, whose ship reached the territory of America much earlier than the Columbus expedition, were perfectly oriented around the stars. Icelandic sagas mention stone-drivers and sun stones: perhaps, they were the precursors of the modern compass.

The ship is exactly what allowed the Vikings to dominate the sea and the ocean for a long time. He introduced them to distant countries, previously unknown food, and also helped them to found cities and whole states deep in the mainland.