The third assault on the tattered remains of Roman civilization came from even further North, where the melting glacial ice had created immense sheltered fjords, leaving its inhabitants little choice but the sea. These fearless navigators understood that dominion over the oceans was the key to their ambitions. Where the Romans expanded incrementally, the Vikings adopted a bolder, more aggressive approach. So was it the Dark Age which failed Europe, or the stifling uniformity of the great Roman experiment? Were the lost tribes more victim than failure? Richard Rudgley will hope to shed new light on the real secrets of the so-called Dark Age.
In Episodes 4–6, the journey takes an awe-inspiring turn through Norway’s dramatic fjords and along roads carved through towering cliffs. Ewan and Charley are captivated by centuries-old Viking churches and mysterious stone formations that whisper tales of the past. Their adventure shifts gears with a breathtaking detour to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, where melting glaciers and ghostly landscapes reveal the stark reality of a warming planet. As they venture deep into Lapland, isolation, snow-covered silence, and moments of wonder test their resolve and deepen their bond in unexpected ways.
Where the Romans expanded incrementally, the Vikings adopted a bolder, more aggressive approach. So was it the Dark Age which failed Europe, or the stifling uniformity of the great Roman experiment? Were the lost tribes more victim than failure? Richard Rudgley will hope to shed new light on the real secrets of the so-called Dark Age.