Norsemen transformed international culture, manufacturing, tech and trade during Viking Era
The notorious reputation of the Vikings spanned thousands of years and across many lands. Bloodthirsty invaders intent on raiding and plundering is what many still imagine when speaking of Vikings. However, far from being simple barbarians, the Vikings are now known to be expert navigators, explorers, colonizers, farmers, settlers, accomplished builders and highly skilled traders.
In fact, according to research news website Phys.org, Vikings, renowned for their military prowess, were also experts in skilled craft and international trade. Indeed, it is theorized that lack of farmland and trade inequities at home, not necessarily piracy, is what drove many to seek out new opportunities in other lands.
http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/norsemen-transformed-international-culture-020235
= new reply since forum marked as read
and we did it in ways that don't include actually kicking ass!
Of course, we can also kick actual ass!
Look, I'll kick the butt of a bad picture link right now: 
