The Norse climate was very tough, subsequently it produced a group of people the world hadn’t seen before.
When "Vikings" started to showing up with a vengeance on the shores of Europe the continent would never be the same.
Let's dive in:
The Viking Age is generally considered to have begun around the late 8th century. Early raids were primarily focused on monasteries and coastal settlements in the British Isles.
The raid on the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria (present-day England) in 793 is often considered the starting point of the Viking Age. This event shocked Christian Europe and marked the beginning of widespread Viking raids.
The word "Viking" has its origins in the Old Norse language. In Old Norse, the term "víkingr" was used to refer to a seafarer or pirate. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse verb "víkja," which means "to turn" or "to move away."
Vikings were excellent seafarers and navigators.
In the 9th century they eventually expanded their raids to Western Europe, targeting areas such as Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Germany, France, and the Iberian Peninsula.
In 860, a group that was allegedly led by the famous chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok (a legendary figure of whom I did a card before), conducted a notable siege of Paris in the 860s. This event exemplified their ability to carry out large-scale military operations.
In the late 9th century Vikings established the Danelaw in parts of England, where they settled and integrated with local populations. This marked a transition from primarily raiding to more permanent settlements in various parts of Europe.
During the 10th century Vikings engaged in exploration, reaching as far as Iceland, Greenland, and possibly North America. They also established trade routes through rivers and seas, connecting with the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Caliphate.
The conversion of Scandinavians to Christianity began in the late 10th century, with leaders like Olaf Tryggvason in Norway and Sweyn Forkbeard in Denmark playing key roles.
Both of them deserve a card and will duly receive one.
Eventually, raiding became less profitable, the risks were higher and the viable targets decreased.
Christianity spread, combined wit the settling and intermingling of the Vikings with the local populace the raids subsided.
Even though the raiding subsided, the influence of the Viking culture would expand.
The Varangian Guard, which I've covered on another occasion, is a prime example of how Nordic (warrior) culture was embraced and embedded within various parts of the continent.
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 is often considered the symbolic end of the Viking Age. The Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings played crucial roles in this transitional period.
Even though the Vikings are etched in our collective memory for their raids, it is their culture, mystic practices, trading and exploration that are as fascinating to me and can't be seen independent from their violent expeditions.
I'll be covering much more from this fascinating era in subsequent card releases.
Thanks for sticking with me. 💪
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Before the clash of steel and the roar of battle, there was another sound—deep, guttural growls from creatures bred to kill.
War dogs didn’t just fight alongside ancient armies; they led the charge, leaving terror in their wake.
"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!"
🧵
The use of dogs in warfare predates the Romans, with early civilizations such as the Assyrians, Greeks and Egyptians employing dogs in various combat roles.
Alexander the Great is also said to have employed war dogs during his conquests.
These animals served multiple roles, acting as sentries, scouts, and even companions to his soldiers (Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander, Book 5).
After 3 legions were obliterated in the depths of Teutoburg Forest, Rome sent their best commander on a punitive expedition.
Would the cursed forests swallow his fate or would he restore Rome's honor?
This is the tale of Germanicus and the hunt for the lost eagle standards.
Germanicus legacy begins when a fellow commander called Publius Quinctilius Varus and his legions were wiped of the face of the earth after being ambused in Teutoberg Forest.
Between 15.000 to 20.000 legionaries were slain, their bodies left to rot on the forest floor and their scared eagle standard were missing.
This debacle would forever be know as the Varian Disaster.