How the Vikings Tried to Loot Rome and What Came of It

In the 9th century AD, the Roman Empire was a thing of the past, but the city of Rome still existed. Its former glory captivated the imagination of medieval Europeans. It’s no wonder that the Vikings, who had just ventured out of Scandinavia onto the vast seas surrounding Europe, wanted to visit this city. The legendary King Björn Ironside, the son of Ragnar Lothbrok, made the first attempt. Björn had exceptionally succeeded in his raids on Britain and other northern lands. Now, he was lured by the wealthy South and embarked on an expedition to the Mediterranean. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:500/1*OPpqsGoRKs9dFwF4BtmVKQ.png" style="height:753px; width:500px" /> A Viking figurine, 9th century AD. The sagas describe Björn as a great warrior. In his youth, he survived alone in the icy hills managed to kill a massive bear, and later, an even more dangerous foe — a mad berserker.  <a href="https://medium.com/@ancient.rome/how-the-vikings-tried-to-loot-rome-and-what-came-of-it-67a474cbc6e4">Website</a>