“The World of the Vikings”
Lifelong Learning Seminar
Presented by Marv Slind
March 2016
Session 1 (March 2): Viking society and culture
I. Introduction to the Age of the Vikings
A. Popular Conceptions of the Vikings
B. The Coming of the Viking Age
II. The Viking Age (ca. 780 – 1070 CE)
A. Viking Society and Culture
B. Daily Life
Session 2 (March 9): Viking religion, art, and literature
III. Nordic Mythology and Pagan Religion
A. Sources
B. The World of the Nordic Gods
1. Aesir
2. Vanir
IV. Art and Ornament
A. Major Artistic Styles
B. Rune Stones
V. Literature
A. Viking Age Poetry
1. Eddaic
2. Scaldic
B. Runic Inscriptions
C. Sagas and Oral Tradition
Session 3 (March 16): Viking ships and maritime technology; Expansion into Eastern and Western Europe
VI. Maritime Technology
A. Development of Ships
B. Sailing technology
C. Warfare and Weapons
VII. Viking Expansion
A. Russia
B. Germany and France
C. England
D. Ireland
Session 4 (March 23): Westward Expansion – the North Atlantic and North America
VII. Viking Expansion - Continued
E. The North Atlantic
A. Iceland
B. Greenland
F. Vinland: The Viking Presence in North America
Suggestions for Further Reading:
Gwyn Jones, The Vikings
Else Roesdahl, The Vikings
Peter Sawyer, Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings
Robert Ferguson, The Vikings: A History
Anders Winroth, The Age of the Vikings
H.R. Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe