The common misconceptions of vikings

1. Vikings Project
Misconceptions

2. Introductory Question
Question
How would you
describe the Vikings?
Possible Response
The Vikings are dirty, savage people
that were constantly raiding other
lands.
Correct Response
The Vikings were very clean and
spent most of their time farming.

3. One Nation?
• Most people think that the Vikings were a specific nation or people. This is
untrue however. There were many different groups of Vikings that were by a
chieftain who each ruled over a small area. The word "Viking" actually is a
word for a person participating in an expedition to sea.

4. Horned Helmets?
• The Vikings didn't wear horned helmets. Depictions from the early age don't
include horned helmets, and the only authentic Viking helmet that was
discovered was horn-free.

5. Dirty People?
• No. The Vikings used hygienic tools such as tweezers, razors, combs, and ear
cleaners which were all made from animal bones. They also bathed at least
once a week which was more than the average European.

6. Savages?
• Despite popular belief, most Vikings men were farmers. Only some were
raiders. When they were raiding it was indeed violent, although they only
raided when they could or needed to, not all the time as many believe. The
Vikings main goal was to establish trade and settle new lands. Also many
believe that the Vikings were hated around the world but that is only partly
true. Many did hate the Vikings but they were also admired for their strength
and were hired for protection.

7. Woman's Rights
• Viking girls got married as young as 12 and maintained the house while their
husbands worked or adventured. But still, the Viking women had more rights
than most other woman in the world had at the time. For example they could
inherit property, request a divorce, and reclaim their dowries if their
marriages ended.

8. Review Question
• What does the word
"Viking" refer to?
• Correct Response
A person participating in an
expedition to sea.

9. Sources:
1) http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-175_t-474_c-1724/daily-life-of-norse-people/nsw/daily-life-of-
norse-people/medieval-and-early-modern-societies-vikings/the-viking-life
2) http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-vikings
3) http://listverse.com/2009/04/21/top-10-misconceptions-about-the-vikings