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Viking religion

Text Viking religion

TLF ID M011216

This resource is about the Vikings attitude to religion. It includes text and some images. The resource is organised under six topic headings: The age of conversion; Pagan belief; Gods and giants; Pagan and Christian together; Conversion in Scandinavia; and Find out more. Interposed in the text are images of an amulet, a coin, a stone cross and a rune-stone.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This resource is valuable for the study of the Vikings and addresses the Australian Curriculum: History year 8 content description relating to the way of life in Viking society. It presents information about the pagan beliefs of the Vikings through their myths, folktales and some early poems. Students could research Viking gods and goddesses such as Thor, Freyja or Odin and their great enemies, the giants, for a class presentation.
  • It is useful for showing how the Vikings adapted to the Christian religion. The Vikings were introduced to Christianity during their raids, by missionaries, through trade and by immigration to Christian territories including Dublin, York and the eastern coastal areas of north England. As their own religion included many gods it was not difficult to include the Christian god alongside their own.
  • The resource is useful for the development of historical skills. Students can analyse one or more of the images provided for evidence of the religious beliefs of the Vikings. An extension activity could be to undertake research on one of the items for its origins, where it was found, most likely use and where it is now located.
Year level

8

Topics Religion English history Scandinavian history
Learning area
  • History

Other details

Contributors
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Organization: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Address: UNITED KINGDOM
  • URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk
  • Publisher
  • Name: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Organization: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Description: Publisher
  • Address: UNITED KINGDOM
  • URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Generic
Learning Resource Type
  • Text
  • Image
Rights
  • Resource: BBC © 2012, except where indicated otherwise. You may download, copy and communicate this material for free, and use it in digital and hardcopy format for non-commercial educational use in Australian schools and TAFE institutions, provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the material. 'Interactive' image: © Education Services Australia Limited 2012. You may copy, communicate and adapt this image for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the image.