The Vikings refers to the Nordic people, Danes, Swedes and Norwegians who sometimes sailed out of Scandinavia in hundreds of longboats to loot and pillage coastal cities. The main offensive weapons used during the Viking period were the spear, sword and battle-axes. These weapons were carried not just for battle, but also as symbols of status and wealth. The Viking battle axe was inherited from the Frank's wars with the Romans and remained an ever-present Viking weapon.

The battle axes were ornately decorated with inlays, twisted wires and other beautiful adornments in silver, copper and bronze. They represented the Scandinavian genius for evolving specialized weaponry. The blades varied in shape from broad leaf shapes to long spikes. Viking craftsmen often added their own elaborately decorated bades to the battle axes. Long-handled battle-axes were used particularly in open combat. The famed, double-handed broad axe developed later in the late 10th and 11th centuries. The smaller axes were sized to be carried thrust through a belt, to serve as a backup weapon. Being one-handed, they were used in combination with a shield. The Mammen Axe is one of the best-known and best-decorated examples of the small Viking throwing axe, and is a perfect example of the Viking's blend of art and war.