Why is the depiction of Vikings often considered one-dimensional?

The portrayal of Vikings as primarily violent pirates and raiders has contributed to the perception that their depiction is one-dimensional. This stereotype tends to focus exclusively on their aggressive exploits, such as pillaging coastal villages and engaging in warfare, while neglecting the more complex aspects of Viking society, culture, and contributions to history.

In reality, Vikings were also skilled traders, explorers, and settlers, and they played a significant role in the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies across Europe and beyond. Their activities included establishing trade routes that connected various cultures, engaging in diplomacy, and founding settlements that laid the groundwork for future societies. By reducing them to mere raiders, we miss the broader context of their multifaceted identities and contributions, leading to a narrow and skewed understanding of who they were.