7. SOURCE6 is a reconstruction of a Viking longhouse. Determine what might be problematic about reconstructions for historians. 8. Examine SOURCE7 . a. Determine whether SOURCE7 is a primary or secondary source. b. Explain what we can learn about Viking farms from SOURCE7 . EVALUATE AND COMMUNICATE 9. Refer to SOURCES6 and 7 . a. Explain to what extent these sources provide supporting evidence about longhouses. b. State which source you see as the most reliable. Justify your answer. 10. Compare the role of Viking women to that of contemporary Australian women. Write a list of the similarities and the differences. Answers and sample responses for this topic are available online.
LESSON 7.5 What was the early Viking religion and how did it change?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • identify the role of gods and the consequences of the adoption of Christianity • explain the system of the Vikings’ religious beliefs.
Tune in Viking gods, heroes and mythology have fascinated people for many years, right up to the modern day. 1. Brainstorm the different films, TV shows, games or literature you can name that might be based on Viking mythology. 2. Why do you think Viking mythology is still so popular today? 3. Discuss how historically accurate the depiction in SOURCE 1 is. From where might the artist have developed their ideas?
SOURCE1 An artist’s recreation from the myth of a frost giant attacking Norse warriors
7.5.1 Early Viking pagan religion Christian Europeans who were raided by Vikings saw them as heathens — people who did not believe in God. Viking brutality was considered a mark of paganism. Initially, Vikings followed a pagan religion but were gradually influenced by Christianity, raising the question of whether this lessened their brutality. Viking religion encompassed both paganism and Christianity.
166 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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