A history of the Vikings and their development as traders, explorers, and settlers Viking marauders in their longships burst through the defenses of ninth-century Europe, striking terror into the hearts of peasants and rulers alike for two centuries. But the Vikings were more than just marine warriors and this atlas traces their development as traders, pioneers, and mercenaries. Through more than sixty full-color maps, this atlas follows the tracks of the Viking merchants who traveled deep into Russia, mercenaries who served in the emperor’s bodyguard at Constantinople, and mariners who sailed beyond the edge of the known world to North America. More than 80 illustrations and timelines make this is an indispensable handbook for students and history enthusiasts alike. John Haywood is the author of a number of books, including The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings and The Historial Atlas of the Celtic World (Thames & Hudson). He lives in Lancaster. The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings By Haywood John