Achievements
Erik the Red is known for discovering Greenland in 982 BCE and then colonizing it in 985 BCE.
Erik the Red was an explorer who set out to find and colonise new lands across the sea. When Erik was exiled from Iceland he discovered a new land which he named Greenland to attract more settlers, although it was mostly covered in ice.
In 985 BCE he sailed Back to Greenland (after returning to Iceland) with 25 ships of colonists, however only 14 of the vessels completed the voyage. Erik established and ruled two settlements; the Eastern Settlement where he lived and the Western Settlement, where they farmed the land, raised cattle, hogs and sheep and hunted bears, caribou and walruses. Erik ran a succesful farm in Brattahlid, South Western Greenland.
Some obstacles Erik the Red overcame on his voyages were being far from home, sailing to unknown hostile land, struggling through rough and cold seas, navigation problems and farming with poor soil.
Erik the Red was an explorer who set out to find and colonise new lands across the sea. When Erik was exiled from Iceland he discovered a new land which he named Greenland to attract more settlers, although it was mostly covered in ice.
In 985 BCE he sailed Back to Greenland (after returning to Iceland) with 25 ships of colonists, however only 14 of the vessels completed the voyage. Erik established and ruled two settlements; the Eastern Settlement where he lived and the Western Settlement, where they farmed the land, raised cattle, hogs and sheep and hunted bears, caribou and walruses. Erik ran a succesful farm in Brattahlid, South Western Greenland.
Some obstacles Erik the Red overcame on his voyages were being far from home, sailing to unknown hostile land, struggling through rough and cold seas, navigation problems and farming with poor soil.
Significance
Erik the Red was important to viking society because he discovered and colonized Greenland in 985 BCE. Greenland was a successful colony and flourished for many years. Greenland had about 1000 settlers in 1000 BCE until 1350 BCE when the Western Settlement was given up. The Eastern Settlement survived until the 16th century BCE.