Units of History - Viking Berserker DOCUMENTARY

Summary by Krater

This video examines the history, nature, equipment, training, and combat tactics of Viking berserkers, exploring their animism roots, animal hybrid associations, berserker rage, community rejection, and eventual decline.

From the video

Answers: Who were Viking berserkers and how did they fight?

• Viking berserkers
• Animism and human-animal hybrids
• Berserkergang and rage
• Social isolation and community rejection
• Berserker equipment and weapons
• Berserker training and combat tactics
• Historical sagas of berserkers

What it concludes

• Viking berserkers shared three main qualities: an association with animals, an enraged state, and rejection by the community.
• Berserkers typically went into battle without clothing or armor, wearing animal skins such as wolves or bears.
• The primary weapon wielded by berserkers was the sword, which served as a high-value status symbol.
• Berserkers engaged in combat by positioning themselves near the front lines as shock troops to break enemy lines.
• The practice of berserkergang slowly faded from history by the 11th century due to the Christianization and unification of Scandinavia.