At first the term Viking meant "raider" or "pirate." It is now often used to describe the people of Scandinavia during the Viking Age, which began in the late 700s and lasted until the 1000s. While the Vikings are widely known for being fierce warriors and raiders, many of their people were traders, craft workers, farmers, and poets. This book explores the Vikings through their social structure. It details the duties of a chieftain, the activities of a farmer, and much more. It also describes some of the discoveries and writings that have led to our present-day understanding of this fascinating culture. Book jacket.