Torment of the Sea Nomads. Viking Sea States of Merchants - Part I
In the late 8th century, a group of Scandinavian sea nomads took to the sea and tormented Europe and Asia through their terrible acts of piracy. Thankfully, by the early 9th century, their piracy ceased in favor of a more lucrative trading and commerce policy. Once they had settled and established themselves on their newly conquered lands, they effectively became a Sea State of Merchants.
The Viking expansion to the northern seas (WikiCommons)
Viking Settlements and Trade
Although the actual size of the Scandinavian settlements on the European continent were relatively small in terms of territorial size outside of Scandinavia, their commercial influence was profound, as well as their appetite to continue expanding both economically and politically. Like all conquerors, they initially imported their culture, but eventually assimilated certain aspects of the cultures they were vassals to.
