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Why do Viking helmets have horns?

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The stereotype of Viking helmets having horns goes back to costuming in 19th-century opera. In reality, horned helmets would have been impractical during combat. They may have been worn only for ceremonial purposes in pre-Viking times. The main style of actual helmets was the spangenhelm, consisting of several pieces of iron riveted together.

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What is the origin of the word Viking?

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The etymology of the word Viking is uncertain. There are many theories about its origins. The Old Norse word víkingr usually meant “pirate” or “raider.” It was in use from the 12th to the 14th century, and it was likely derived from an earlier Old Scandinavian word contemporary to the Vikings themselves.

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