VIKINGS

Even if we’ve finally accepted that Vikings didn’t actually wear horned helmets, our image of them as bloodthirsty warriors still prevails. The Viking Age was indeed a period defined by marauding; the beginning of the era, which spanned nearly 300 years, was marked by the Vikings’ first recorded raid in 793.

However, if we peel away the plundering-and-pillaging narrative, there are surprising similarities between these Scandinavian sailors and the (mostly) mild-mannered long-distance cruisers of today. Here’s a look at what they have in common.

Weekend Warriors

There are many theories on the origin of the word viking, but most experts agree the term originally lacked the connotation of marauding. According to Judith Jesch, professor of Viking studies at the University of Nottingham, the term originated from a more neutral was someone who went on expeditions, usually abroad, usually by sea, and usually in a group.”