Livestock is a fundamental part of the sustenance and economic activities of the Vikings and their contemporaries. Not only does it serve as a crucial means of survival, but it also represents a way to accumulate wealth.
Goats, in particular, are ideal due to their low maintenance requirements and ability to feed on even the most nutrient-poor pastures. This makes them perfectly suited for maximizing the limited arable land available in settlements.
For this reason, a successful raiding expedition often involves returning home with new livestock, taken by the strength of arms from their previous owners, ready to increase the fortune of their new masters.
