![[Media/Ingólfr_Arnarson_monument_Einarr_Jonsson_1907_1961_Rivedal_Dalsfjorden_Sunnfjord_Sogn_og_Fjordane_2015-10-14_Distorted_panorama_cropped_01.jpg]] *Statue of Ingolfr Arnarson at Rivedal in Sogn og Fjordane in western Norway* The Vikings also sailed their ships into the unknown in the North Atlantic, and in 874 a settlement party reached Iceland, led by Ingólfur Arnarson, who is traditionally considered the founder of Reykjavik. There had been stories of a large island dating back to at least 330 BCE, when a Greek explorer named Pytheas had described his travels. After Ingólfur and his family settled, large numbers of Norwegians arrived, who moved from their homes to escape the heavy-handed king, Harald. Within about 60 years, nearly all the arable land on the island was settled. For a few generations, the Viking settlers held onto their old traditions and Norse gods (and the Icelandic language is almost identical to Old Norse, so they can read their old Sagas). But in 999, King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway threatened to cut Iceland off from the Viking trade routes, so the Icelanders threw their idols over the [Godafoss](https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/godafoss) (“Waterfall of the Gods”) and converted. ![[Media/GothafossOverview.jpg]] *Godafoss, in northern Iceland* ----- Next: [[10.14 - Farther West]] Back: [[10.12 - The Rus]]