The Viking warrior has been pictured as a ruthless barbarian with a horned helmet and a huge battle-axe. Horned helmets however never existed and are images created from pulp fiction. One of the Viking's biggest advantages in battle was the Viking long ship, which gave them the element of a surprise attack along coasts and shallow canals. They also used some of the finest damascus swords known in history. Other weapons used were axes, bows, spears and daggers but the Viking was not afraid of tough hand-to-hand combat. To the Viking warrior, honour and glory in battle were the only things that lasted forever which made them feared, as they were not afraid of dying in combat.