: Exploration led to the settlement of Iceland , Greenland , and eventually the shores of North America. Society and Culture Vikings: The Rise and Fall
: The attack on the Lindisfarne monastery in England is traditionally cited as the start of the Viking Age, proving that plundering "weak Christians" for slaves and treasure was highly effective. Vikings: The Rise
: Their greatest advantage was the longship . These vessels were durable enough for the open Atlantic yet shallow-bottomed enough to navigate inland rivers, allowing for surprise attacks. Key Phases of Expansion : Exploration led to the settlement of Iceland