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The Vikings in the East
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Swedish merchants travelled across the Baltic Sea to Russia in the 9th century and traded with the Slav people. They travelled by boat down the great Russian rivers. When stopped by rapids, they carried their boats around them. The Dnieper River took them to the Black Sea and to Constantinople (now Istanbul), and the Volga took them to the Caspian Sea and, travelling overland by camel, to Baghdad (now the capital of Iraq). In the eastern markets they were able to buy valuable luxuries, such as silks and spices. The Swedes played a part in the growth of the city of Novgorod, their chief trading centre, and in the early development of Russia.
(A) RAPIDS
The Swedish adventurers who crossed northern Europe followed the rivers using boats. When stopped by rapids, they carried the boats around them.
(B) WEAPONS
Swedish traders in Russia needed weapons to fight the Slavic tribes, who did not always welcome them.
(C) PACKHORSES
When travelling overland, merchants used packhorses to carry their goods.
(D) RIVERS
Rivers provided the best highways for long-distance travel. It was possible to go from the Baltic all the way to the Black Sea with only a short distance over land.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Vikings
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Section:
The Vikings
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Chapter:
The Vikings in the East
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