In the question of whether Vikings or Mongols had a greater impact on Eurasia, one should examine their conquests and political impact as well as cultural influence. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider that Viking expansion took place long before the Mongols started their expansion. Lastly, it is necessary to mention that Mongols’ attitude towards conquered countries favored international cultural exchange, while Vikings imposed their culture on conquered nations. Viking’s approach to cultural exchange is apparent in Ibn Fadlan’s account of the Rus (Risala: Ibn Fadlan’s account of the Rus). In the text, the author mentions how one of the Rus said that “Arabs are fools” because they use different burial rites (Risala: Ibn Fadlan’s account of the Rus, 92). Thus, one can suggest that Vikings were willing to promote their religion and culture but did not participate in cultural exchange with the conquered countries.
Furthermore, considering the scale of expansion, Mongols were more influential, but Vikings had access to more countries through water transportation. For example, according to Ogg (1972), the siege of Paris involved 700 sailing ships of the Northmen. Mongols, on the other hand, used camels for transportation, which allowed them to carry more goods such as furniture and household goods and actively participate in international trade. According to the book of Marco Polo on marvels of the East, the Mongol Emperor had several business experts help him buy treasures from different nations (Polo, 2010). Furthermore, Polo (2010) emphasizes how Mongol settlements utilized a unique and innovative messaging system through horse riders, which enabled them to manage the vast lands of the Mongol Empire effectively. Thus, since Mongols were more responsible for managing the empire and effectively contributed to the cultural exchange and trade of goods between conquered nations, Mongols had a greater impact on Eurasia than Vikings.
References
Ogg, F. A. (Ed.). (1972). A source book of Mediaeval History: Documents illustrative of European life and institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance. Cooper Square Publishers.
Polo, M. (2010). The book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian: Concerning the kingdoms and marvels of the East. Cambridge University Press.