Nóregr - the Old Norse name [1] for the territory equivalent to what we know today as Norway - is part of Scandinavia: not just geographically, culturally and socially, but its history is intimately tied to that of its neighbours, Denmark and Sweden from the first human occupations to this very day

The human occupation of Norway begins, unsurprisingly, with the end of the last glaciation and the retreat of ice. It has been established for quite some time now that hunter-gatherers had established themselves near the border with Sweden, in the Ostfold (SE of Norway).

More recently, evidence of occupation on the southwestern coast, and further north between Bergen and Trondheim has been found: this culture has been identified as the Fosna culture, also hunter-gatherers and akin to the contemporary Hensbacka culture found in Sweden.

The Early Neolithic (beginning around 4000 BC) saw the introduction of agriculture in Norway - animal husbandry appeared somewhat later, during the end of the Middle Neolithic period (2600-2200 BC) - as botanical data seems to indicate. This activity, however, remained small-scale and had little impact of the way of life of the population until the Late Neolithic, at least in Western Norway [2](agriculture may have begun somewhat earlier in the Ostfold area)

Scandinavia, and thus Norway, entered the Bronze Age relatively late (around 1800 BC), a transition most certainly triggered by trade, but material finds reveal that it was a time of prosperity, both economical and artistically.

Although Nóregr did not play as much of a role as Denmark and southern Sweden in these developments, they did share its benefits (for instance, bronze artefacts were found way up north, even if northern regions were still home to hunter-gatherers [3]).

With the beginnings of the Iron Age (500 BC), Scandinavia was sent into a period of depression, probably down to several factors among which the Celtic "invasions", creating insecurity on the roads between Scandinavia and the Mediterranean, effectively isolating the former economically and culturally, as well as the changes in climate. Ironically maybe, it was during this period that Scandinavia entered, for the first time, written history, through the writings of the Greek geographer Pytheas (late 4th century BC) who may have landed in western Norway (the "land of Thule").

The exchanges with the south resumed around the turn of the first millennium, and prosperity returned during what is known as the Roman Iron Age (first four centuries AD): although it was Denmark which, once again, was at the forefront, beautiful Roman artifacts found their way deep into Norway as well.

Following this period came the last of the Iron Age, known as the Germanic Iron Age, which marks the transition to the age of the Vikings. This period is marked by a phenomena called The Great Migrations in the 5th and early 6th century AD and which had an impact on the whole of continental Europe. Even though it seems none of these migrating currents found their origins in Norway, it is nonetheless during that period that the events of the Viking Age (circa 800-1066 AD) find their origins.

During this whole period, and well into the 11th century, Norway is characterized politically by a marked division into three main areas [4]: the Ostfold (which includes Oslo) and Vestfold, together probably the richest region in terms of agriculture and the one closest to the influence of Central and Southern Europe, arriving both from Denmark and Sweden.

The Trondelag, while well further north, was blessed with a surprisingly favourable environment for agriculture despite the high latitude, and its traditional trade with Frisia ensured the growth of a class of relatively rich landowners.

In between the two is the costal region which proposes few favourable spots for agriculture; therefore, any demographic growth would quickly make itself felt and this area was particularly likely to see the development of communities which would depend on extending outwards. With general economic growth characterizing the Great Migrations period, the need to defend one's wealth, both through force and through the law, increased proportionally: it's during that time that people would regroup themselves into political units.

At the end of the 7th century, Norway was divided into countless such units, divisions which kept changing through battles and conquests. Of course, as could be expected, there was little incentive for the various leaders to renounce to their power in favour of a union into a single kingdom, so the unification process, first "completed" by Harald Fairhair in the late 9th century (although completed is probably too strong a word, as will be explained), was indeed a lengthy one who's history is difficult for us to establish as our main sources, including Snorri's "Ynglinga Saga", the "Heimskringla", "Egils Saga" and Thjodolf's "Ynglinga Tal", make it often hard to distinguish legend from reality.

At any rate, Harald Fairhair did exist and did, at least in principle, establish overlordship over Norway, first by coming to an agreement with the jarl of Hladir, Hakon, who, coming down from the modern Tromsö region, took over the Trondelag in a bid to secure the coast for trade, making Hakon the second most powerful man of Norway; then by defeating the resistance on the south-west coast at the battle of Hafrsfjord.

Despite his victories, he could never indulge in a quiet life at the court; his enemies had fled for the Viking colonies in the British Isles, establishing their bases there and raiding regularly the Norwegian coasts. In order to put an end to this, Harald in turn attacked the British settlements and once again emerged victor, claiming notably Shetland and Orkney

Although Harald did not dominate the modern Norwegian territory, he was the first to unite under one banner a great part of it. The length of his reign (over 50 years) lends even more charisma to his name. However, when he died in the middle of the 10th century, he was supposed to be succeeded by Eirik Bloodaxe, one of his many sons.

There was, however, pressure from both the jarls and the other sons of Harald, all wanting to claim their share. But in the end, it is the youngest son of Harald, Hakon the Good, who had grown up in England, who returned to Norway after hearing of his father's death, not only with the support of his foster family, that of Athelstan king of England, but, it seems, with that of the jarl of Haldir (Trondelag). Inexplicably, Eirik abandoned the fight for power and left for conquest in England, with mitigated success (he could never maintain a grip over territories there for very long).

Hakon became king: while not lasting anywhere near as long as that of his father, his reign was consequent and lasted until his death, despite his victory, in the battle of Fitjar which pitted him against Eirik's sons.

Key to his reign had been his ability to rally the support of the jarls and of the Tings, the local assemblies or courts, as well as his renouncement to convert his people to Christianity when he saw that they would resist such a change.

The latter should probably have inspired his successor, Harald II, one of Eirik sons who, with the aid of his brothers, tried to impose the Christian faith, alienating many of his subjects; the jarl of Trondelag proved the most dangerous though and eventually overthrew him through an alliance with Harald Bluetooth of Denmark.

For a while, Norway had no king, as influence was divided between the jarl and the Danish king. However, the alliance between the two only lasted a time: their relations grew colder and in 986, Harald Bluetooth attacked the jarl, Hakon Sigurdsson, but his fleet was defeated at the battle of Hjörungravágr.

Hakon Sigurdsson was, however, not to become the new king as the support from his own people dwindled as a great-grandson of Harald Fairhair, Olaf Tryggvason, lured, ironically enough, back to Norway from Ireland by Hakon himself, who thought it would be easier to control him if he were to live nearer. But when Olaf reached the shores of Norway, revolt was underway and he easily overtook power.

He barely had the time to ascertain his power that he was slain in the battle of Svolder at the turn of the second millennium, in a bid to conquer the territories of his new wife Thyrne, sister of the king of Denmark, who fled from her husband who happened to be a heathen. Whereas Olaf was Christian.

Actually, one of his most important achievements during his short (5 years) reign was to finally allow Christianity to make great headway in Norway (something previous kings and Harald Bluetooth had attempted, but never succeeded at), although the extent of his success is believed to have been exaggerated in the Icelandic sagas; he is also notably credited for having the first church built in Norway.