> because this was the first time that Scandinavians had some sort of effect on the rest of Europe Nonsense. Where do you think those infamous "Goths" came fro

> because this was the first time that Scandinavians had some sort of effect on the rest of Europe Nonsense. Where do you think those infamous "Goths" came from? There are no sharp boundaries in influence. > The Viking age generally ended with the Christianization of Scandinavia If that was true, it would have ended before it began, because Christianization started long before the kings' official incorporation into the unified Christian world. Norse traders and mercenaries came back from places like Byzantium in awe, and wanted to be more like that. And as the article points out, much if not most of the piracy happened when kings and chiefs were Christian. > human sacrifices to Odin Like many examples of Norse savagery, not proven to ever have happened. But that doesn't stop the metal boys from trying to incorporate it into "our" national mythology.