Viking raiders in longships burst through the defenses of ninth-century Europe, striking terror in the hearts of peasants, monks, and kings for the next three centuries. Yet the impact of these sea-born Scandinavians on European civilization was more complex and constructive than portrayed by medieval chroniclers. Vikings acted as merchants, craftsmen, farmers, settlers, and mercenaries, and they colonized regions beyond the edges of the known world like Russia, Iceland, and North America. This course explores the complicated relationship of the Vikings with the medieval world and examines important developments within Scandinavian society such as kingship, trade, and Christianization. At the same time, we will consider the methodological difficulties presented by the diverse and often contradictory historical sources for the Vikings such as monastic chronicles, archaeology, inscriptions, and Scandinavian sagas. Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on class participation and several papers. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). This course is writing intensive. Groups B and D

Hour: GOLDBERG