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''"...wrecking, robbing, shattering and killing not only animals but priests, monks and nuns... [The raiders] slayed everything alive, dug up the altars and took all the treasures of the holy church..."''

''"...wrecking, robbing, shattering and killing not only animals but priests, monks and nuns... [The raiders] slayed everything alive, dug up the altars and took all the treasures of the holy church..."''

Along with their destructive habits, Vikings were also well-known traders, explorers and settlers. They settled the islands of [[Iceland]] (870), [[Greenland]] (985) and briefly [[Newfoundland]] (around 1000), establishing a colony called [[Vinland]] nearly five centuries before [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]]. They founded the city of [[Dublin]], Ireland, as a trading center. Vikings also expanded toward the East. They were involved in the founding of [[Russia]], and were important in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire at [[Constantinople]].

Along with their destructive habits, Vikings were also well-known traders, explorers and settlers. They settled the islands of [[Iceland]] (870) and [[Greenland]] (985), but there is no evidence supporting the [[liberal myth]] that Vikings started a settlement in North America (1000) before [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]]. "People have been looking hard for hundreds of years and there is no archeological evidence in this part — it's certainly possible, the Vikings were incredible boat handlers — but there is no evidence," observed Jeff Bolster, a University of New Hampshire professor of history.<ref>http://farshores.org/a04viki.htm</ref> They founded the city of [[Dublin]], Ireland, as a trading center. Vikings also expanded toward the East. They were involved in the founding of [[Russia]], and were important in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire at [[Constantinople]].

At home, Vikings were industrious farmers and fishermen. They had a distinctive culture that valued honor, hospitality, and generosity.

At home, Vikings were industrious farmers and fishermen. They had a distinctive culture that valued honor, hospitality, and generosity.

Vikings had a polytheistic society. They had many gods, such as [[Tyr]], [[Odin]], [[Thor]], and [[Freya]].  Stories about these gods are now called Norse Myths. Many Vikings violently opposed [[Christianity]], but for the most part eventually succumbed to it through persuasion, example and use of force<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/420178/Norway/39303/Christianization</ref>.

Vikings had a polytheistic society. They had many gods, such as [[Tyr]], [[Odin]], [[Thor]], and [[Freya]].  Stories about these gods are now called Norse Myths. Many Vikings violently opposed [[Christianity]], but for the most part eventually succumbed to it through persuasion, example and use of force<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/420178/Norway/39303/Christianization</ref>.

Vikings who are still famous in our time are [[Eric the Red]], discoverer of Greenland, and his son [[Leif Ericson]], the first known European to visit what is now called America.

Vikings who are still famous in our time are [[Eric the Red]] and his son [[Leif Ericson]].

== References ==

== References ==