Ancient history

Who was Eric the Red a viking explorer?

Eric the Red (c. 950 – c. 1003), also known as Erik the Red, was a Norse explorer who is credited with having founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, which he named Brattahlid. According to the Icelandic sagas, Eric was born in present-day Norway but was exiled to Iceland for manslaughter. After his exile, he set sail for Greenland, which had been the subject of previous explorations. He founded a settlement in the country's southwestern fjord, which later grew and spread to other areas of the island.

As a skilled sailor and explorer, Eric the Red is renowned for his daring voyages and contributions to Norse exploration and settlement. He remains a significant figure in the history of both Greenland and Iceland, where his legacy is still celebrated today.