Beliefs and Values
Freya
The Vikings believed in gods before they became Christians. There were different gods in the Viking religion. The three most important gods for the Vikings were Odin, Thor and Frey. Viking thought of gods in much the same way as they viewed themselves, fighting against the powers of evil and darkness. Strangely, however they also believed that they and their gods were fighting a lost cause, doomed to failure. It was this belief that was largely responsible for the heroism of Viking warriors, for by dying a hero’s death on Earth they could join the gods in Valhalla, the Viking heaven and continue the struggle there.
Beliefs
The Viking Gods
The Vikings believed that there were lots of different gods who lived in a place called Asgard. Each one was responsible for a different thing, like war, travel or home. In stories the gods were not perfect. They had human qualities and weaknesses such as jealousy and greed.
Frey and Freya
Frey and Freya were siblings. Frey had to make sure that the sun shone, rain fell and the crops grew. Freya was a warrior goddess, a Valkyrie, and also the goddess of sensual love.
Mischievous Loki
Loki is a strange creature in Norse mythology, part-god and part-devil. Loki can be called the 'wizard of lies' and is in many ways the most interesting god in Asgard. Loki was related to Odin, but their relationship was rather strange.
Christianity Arrives
The Vikings become influenced by Christianity on their raiding expeditions to lands in Western Europe.
Odin
Was the god of war, who rode an eight- legged horse. Odin was the chief god in the Norse mythology. Odin was chief of the gods and represented amongst other things, war, courage, and wisdom.
Thor, God of Thunder
Thor is one of the great heroes in Viking mythology. He is the god of thunder and carried a mighty silver hammer possessed of magical power. He rode through the sky in a magnificent chariot, supporting the poor. He was the god of thunder, the sky, fertility and the law.
Values
Crafts
Vikings were very skilled craftsmen, meaning that craftsmanship meant a lot to them. Due to crafting, the Vikings could make heaps of things made out of stone, wood and metal that would lead them to success in battle. Not only that but crafting made people work for their families and help them survive through their daily lives. Many of the beautiful objects were not made by specialist artists, but by ordinary people as their daily job.
War and weaponry
Although the Vikings did settle in parts of Britain, France, Iceland, and Russia on a permanent basis, they were not seeking to conquer these lands. They were pirates, who took advantage of the chaos following the collapse of the western Roman empire in Europe. they were certainly warlike, but they were not barbarians, as often depicted. they lived, for the most part in an ordered and civilized society. Winning wars meant a lot to the Vikings as they would win war and normally claim the land after.
Beliefs
The Viking Gods
The Vikings believed that there were lots of different gods who lived in a place called Asgard. Each one was responsible for a different thing, like war, travel or home. In stories the gods were not perfect. They had human qualities and weaknesses such as jealousy and greed.
Frey and Freya
Frey and Freya were siblings. Frey had to make sure that the sun shone, rain fell and the crops grew. Freya was a warrior goddess, a Valkyrie, and also the goddess of sensual love.
Mischievous Loki
Loki is a strange creature in Norse mythology, part-god and part-devil. Loki can be called the 'wizard of lies' and is in many ways the most interesting god in Asgard. Loki was related to Odin, but their relationship was rather strange.
Christianity Arrives
The Vikings become influenced by Christianity on their raiding expeditions to lands in Western Europe.
Odin
Was the god of war, who rode an eight- legged horse. Odin was the chief god in the Norse mythology. Odin was chief of the gods and represented amongst other things, war, courage, and wisdom.
Thor, God of Thunder
Thor is one of the great heroes in Viking mythology. He is the god of thunder and carried a mighty silver hammer possessed of magical power. He rode through the sky in a magnificent chariot, supporting the poor. He was the god of thunder, the sky, fertility and the law.
Values
Crafts
Vikings were very skilled craftsmen, meaning that craftsmanship meant a lot to them. Due to crafting, the Vikings could make heaps of things made out of stone, wood and metal that would lead them to success in battle. Not only that but crafting made people work for their families and help them survive through their daily lives. Many of the beautiful objects were not made by specialist artists, but by ordinary people as their daily job.
War and weaponry
Although the Vikings did settle in parts of Britain, France, Iceland, and Russia on a permanent basis, they were not seeking to conquer these lands. They were pirates, who took advantage of the chaos following the collapse of the western Roman empire in Europe. they were certainly warlike, but they were not barbarians, as often depicted. they lived, for the most part in an ordered and civilized society. Winning wars meant a lot to the Vikings as they would win war and normally claim the land after.
