Ancient Vikings

The Vikings were Norse peoples from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. During what became known as “The Viking Age,” (from the 790s until the Norman Conquest of England in 1066), these merchants, explorers, and pirates expanded their empire to Europe, Asia, and the North Atlantic islands.

In fact, the name “Viking” means “a pirate raid” in Old Norse and those who embarked on raids were said to be “going Viking.”

The Vikings were known for their longships—light-weight, wooden boats designed for speed to navigate the treacherous waters of the Atlantic. They were called “dragonships” by the Vikings’ enemies.

Learn more about the Ancient Vikings in the following DVD book, which includes video with expert commentary, as well as a full-length book complete with photos, maps, and timelines. See how they constructed their incredible longships, and meet some of the most fascinating Viking characters, such as Erik the Red and his son, Leif Eriksson.