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Viking Civilization Timeline

By MherB
  • 200 BCE

    Start of Germanic Migrations

    Germanic tribes, including the early ancestors of the Norse, migrate from Scandinavia and interact with the Celts and Romans.
  • Period: 200 BCE to 793

    Pre-Viking Era

    The period marks the formation of Norse society, including tribal organization, seafaring advancements, and early contact with other European cultures. The Norse people developed strong warrior traditions, shipbuilding skills, and a polytheistic belief system that later fueled their expansion.
  • 1 CE

    Development of the Proto-Norse Language

    The Norse language begins to take shape, influenced by other Germanic dialects.
  • 200

    Roman Influence

    Trade with the Roman Empire introduces ironworking, weapon designs, and hierarchical social structures to Scandinavia.
  • 500

    Beginning of the Vendel Period

    The Vendel Culture in Sweden sees the rise of elite warrior burials, ornate helmets, and strong seafaring traditions. This period is often considered a prelude to the Viking Age.
  • 600

    Expansion to the Baltic Region

    Norse traders begin exploring and trading with Finland, Estonia, and the Slavic lands, forming early trade routes.
  • 700

    Advanced Longship Designs

    Advanced Longship Designs
    The Norse perfect the longship, enabling fast, long-distance travel and raiding potential.
  • 793

    Lindisfarne Raid

    Lindisfarne Raid
    The first major Viking raid on a monastery in Northumbria, England. This shocked Europe and marked the start of the Viking Age.
  • Period: 793 to 850

    Early Viking Age

    This period marks the beginning of Viking expansion through raids, warfare, and trade. The Vikings, skilled seafarers from Scandinavia, used longships to attack coastal settlements and monasteries, particularly in England, Ireland, and France.
  • Period: 799 to 820

    Expansion of Viking Raids

    Viking invasions spread to Ireland and France.
  • 841

    Founding of Dublin

    The Vikings establish Dublin as a trading settlement in Ireland.
  • 845

    Raid on Paris

    Led by Ragnar Lodbrok, the Vikings sack Paris, forcing the Frankish king to pay them Danegeld.
  • Period: 850 to 1000

    Viking Expansion and Kingdoms

    The Vikings shifted from raiders to settlers and rulers, establishing permanent settlements in England, Ireland, France, and Iceland. Their political influence grew, and they developed trade networks spanning Europe, the Middle East, and even Central Asia.
  • 865

    Great Heathen Army Invades England

    Great Heathen Army Invades England
    A massive Viking force lands in England, seizing control of major cities like York.
  • 874

    Settlement of Iceland

    Ingólfr Arnarson establishes the first Norse settlement in Iceland.
  • 911

    Foundation of Normandy

    Viking leader Rollo is granted land in northern France, which becomes Normandy
  • 930

    Establishment of Althing in Iceland

    The Norse create one of the world’s oldest parliaments, showing early forms of democracy.
  • 982

    Erik the Red Discovers Greenland

    Erik the Red Discovers Greenland
    After being exiled from Iceland, Erik the Red establishes Norse settlements in Greenland.
  • 1000

    Leif Erikson Reaches North America (Vinland)

    Leif Erikson Reaches North America (Vinland)
    Son of Erik the Red, Leif Erikson sails to Vinland (modern-day Canada), making Vikings the first Europeans to reach the Americas—500 years before Columbus.
  • Period: 1000 to 1100

    Viking Decline

    During this period, the Viking way of life changed as many converted to Christianity, centralized kingdoms formed in Scandinavia, and external resistance to Viking raids increased.
  • 1013

    Sweyn Forkbeard Becomes King of England

    Sweyn Forkbeard Becomes King of England
    The Danish Viking ruler Sweyn Forkbeard conquers England, uniting it with Denmark and Norway.
  • 1066

    Battle of Stamford Bridge

    Battle of Stamford Bridge
    Viking King Harald Hardrada is defeated in England, marking the end of large-scale Viking invasions.
  • 1100

    Christianization of Scandinavia

    Viking rulers adopt Christianity, leading to the decline of Norse paganism and Viking raiding culture.
  • Period: 1100 to

    Post-Viking Era

    Although Viking raids ended, their cultural, linguistic, and political influence continued. Norse settlements in Greenland survived for a few more centuries, but eventually, Viking identity merged with medieval European states.
  • 1200

    Decline of Norse Greenland

    Climate change and economic struggles lead to the collapse of Viking settlements in Greenland.
  • Period: 1400 to 1500

    Last Norse Settlements

    The remaining Norse colonies in Greenland vanish.
  • Period: to

    Viking Revival

    Romanticism and nationalism fuel a renewed interest in Viking history, influencing literature, art, and politics.
  • Period: to

    Ongoing Discoveries

    Archaeologists continue to uncover Viking artifacts, confirming Viking exploration of North America and expanding knowledge of Norse society.