Synopses & Reviews
At the gates of Valhalla, Odin, the God of War and Death, welcomed thebravest of the slain warriors arriving in flaming longships for their finalbattle. It is a fiery legend still celebrated annually in the Shetland Islands,150 miles north-east of Scotland, where Vikings ruled for 500 years. In the streets of Lerwick, modern-day Norse descendants form vast torchlit processions, before burning a sacrificial longship in a Festival of Firecalled
Up Helly Aa!From the late 8th century, when Viking raiders first appeared, to the endof the 11th century, Scandinavian men and women travelled to many parts of the world, from Newfoundland to Byzantium in a cultural expansion that lasted for 300 years. But tales of terrifying berserkers mayhave been the mere propaganda of contemporary Christian chroniclers. Beyond the blood and brutality of legend, Viking colonists shared their culture and craftsmanship leaving behind an enduring legacy. In Vikings, historian Rodney Castleden, successfully separates the truth from Norsemyth and examines the achievements of the Viking Age â?? the people, their artistry, technological skills and seamanship.
Synopsis
In Vikings, historian Rodney Castleden successfully separates the truth from Norse myth and examines the achievements of the Viking Age--the people, their artistry, technological skills, and seamanship.
At the gates of Valhalla, Odin, the God of War and Death, welcomed the bravest of the slain warriors arriving in flaming longships for their final battle. It is a fiery legend still celebrated annually in the Shetland Islands, 150 miles northeast of Scotland, where Vikings ruled for 500 years. In the streets of Lerwick, modern-day Norse descendants form vast torch-lit processions, before burning a sacrificial longship in a Festival of Fire called Up Helly Aa
From the late 8th century, when Viking raiders first appeared, to the end of the 11th century, Scandinavian men and women traveled to many parts of the world, from Newfoundland to Byzantium, in a cultural expansion that lasted for 300 years. But tales of terrifying berserkers may have been the mere propaganda of contemporary Christian chroniclers. Beyond the blood and brutality of legend, Viking colonists shared their culture and craftsmanship, leaving behind an enduring legacy.
Learn more about the culture and history of the Vikings, and also when to separate myth from truth, in this intriguing book from the Oxford People series.
About the Author
Rodney Castleden has a passionate interest in history and archaeology, and has written extensively on these subjects over the last thirty years. Reviewers and readers have commended his meticulous research, fluency of expression and the originality of his ideas. He is the author of over thirty published titles, including People Who Changed the World, The Making of Stonehenge and Attack on Troy.