Images

Facsimile of the Book of Kells on public display at Hackley Public Library.

Anastasis Scene, Chora Museum, Period: Late Byzantine; circa: 14th century CE, Istanbul, Turkey. Anastasis meaning ‘’standing up again’’ in Greek, Anastasis is one of the finest examples of frescoes in the world. It is located in the semi-dome...

Deesis Scene in Chora Museum, Period: Late Byzantine; circa: 14th century CE. Istanbul, Turkey. Seated in the center of a multi-layered mandorla, Christ is surrounded by Mary, John the Baptist, 12 disciples, martyrs prophets. Mary and John...

A gold hyperpyron coin of Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143-1180 CE). On the obverse is Christ while the emperor is shown on the reverse holding a cross. (Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com)

A map illustrating the Mediterranean in the 12th century and, in purple, the Byzantine Empire c. 1180 CE, during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos.

An illustration from a 12th century CE manuscript depicting Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143-1180 CE). (Vatican Library)

A detail of the chariot from the Oseberg burial. Viking Ship Museum, Oslo

Hallgrímskirkja and statue of Leif Eriksson. Reykjavik

The first Viking ship able to navigate the sea easily is known as the Nydam ship, from Denmark, built c. 350-400 CE, though this ship had no sail. Gottorp Castle, Sleswig.

The famous Lewis Chessmen, now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and the British Museum in London, are high-quality examples of the type of chessmen the Scandinavians produced. It is believed the Lewis Chessmen were made in...