Stephanie H. Smith: 5 myths about Vikings that everyone believes

5 myths about Vikings that everyone believes

The Viking Age. When medieval, horn-helmeted Scandinavian men ravaged Europe, scribbling mysterious runes and toasting their victories in goblets forged from enemy skulls before bidding farewell in fiery funerals. Except… that’s not quite how it went. So, what were the Vikings actually like? Stephanie H. Smith debunks common misconceptions about the time period. [Directed by Avi Ofer, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Cem Misirlioglu, WORKPLAYWORK].

Much of what is believed about Vikings comes from myth, not fact. Contrary to popular image, they did not wear horned helmets, nor did they drink from enemy skulls. Discoveries suggest Viking activity began earlier than the famous 793 CE raid, fueled by social upheaval and advances in seafaring. Their world was complex, with women sometimes holding warrior status and funerary customs that defy Hollywood’s fiery boat clichés.

Vikings Were Not the Horned Warriors of Legend

Popular images of Vikings as savage warriors in horned helmets, drinking from skull goblets, are rooted more in myth than fact. Archaeological finds show that most Scandinavians did not raid, and the infamous horned helmet was popularized by 19th-century opera, not history. The Viking Age saw complex trade, shifting power, and even female warriors, with most detailed accounts coming from those who suffered their attacks. Many funeral and rune traditions attributed to Vikings are modern inventions or misunderstandings.