The Danevirke: A Wall That Protected Vikings From Raiders
This massive barrier represents the complexity of the Northmen as raiders and traders
Today one might say we’re in a culture war. Certain political ideologies get their news from a certain source, while their counterpart has their own. Even regions within countries flesh it out.
In the United States, they call it Red or Blue states, and likely every country in the world has their own version of this. Maybe even cities versus suburbs. Consider it an invisible barrier.
But let’s go a step beyond. Picture a culture so alien and incomprehensible to you, your local community physically builds a wall to keep them out. This is more common than you think across history.
The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall in England and the Limes Germaticus, a three hundred forty one mile wall of fortifications to keep the German tribes under control. Obviously, you also have the Great Wall of China.
In each case it’s a “civilized” society putting up a barrier to an unruly neighbor which tends to raid and pillage. So far, it all sounds logical. However, one of the greatest walls built in northern Europe did the reverse.
