Dan Carlin needs no introduction...

Terri and C.J. finally had their long-anticipated sit down with fellow Oregonian and History podcaster Dan Carlin to discuss the topic of the Vikings, which Dan covered in his recent episode Twighlight of the Æsir.

We wanted to understand why the most popular History podcast in the U.S. decided to devote FIVE hours to the Vikings — with a sequel coming later this year — and answer the question: What made the Vikings so special?

Those of you familiar with Dan’s work know he does a ton of research when prepping for his shows, so we asked him what he’s learned in that process about who he thinks the Vikings were and how they stack up against other warrior cultures in the past such as Caesar’s Roman army and the Celts, and why throughout time it seems men — particularly young men — need to seek out adventure and fame.

Then we took a bit of a philosophical turn and discussed whether it is right to judge people of the past by today’s standards, and how our historian brains are hardwired for the long view – another subject Dan did a podcast about earlier this year on his Hardcore History Addendum.

If you want to know whether Alexander the Great would have been a Viking, why Terri thinks Dan would have made a good Viking Age Skaldic poet, or why Albion Swords are the best reproductions around, listen and find out.

You can also watch the video version here.

Dan Carlin of Hardcore History Discusses: What Makes the Vikings Alluring?

Thanks Dan! It was well worth the wait. We owe you one.

Find Hardcore History and Hardcore History Addendum on all major podcast streaming services and on dancarlin.com.

Dan also has a Substack now too, so check him out there.