Ragnar's supposed sons—Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Hvitserk—are historical figures themselves, active in Viking campaigns across Europe. Their deeds are often more historically documented than Ragnar’s, and many scholars argue that Ragnar is a composite character whose mythic role helps explain the rise of his sons.

• Ivar the Boneless led the Great Heathen Army that ravaged the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms between 865 and 878.
   

• Bjorn Ironside is associated with expeditions in the Mediterranean and is often credited with founding a Swedish royal dynasty.
   

• Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye reportedly ruled over parts of Denmark and was a powerful warlord in his own right.
   

These sons kept the legend of their father alive through fire and steel, shaping the course of Viking and European history.

Historical Reality or Literary Invention?

Despite his fame, the historicity of Ragnar Lothbrok is debated. Many scholars consider him a legendary amalgamation of multiple Viking leaders. Some theories suggest that the Ragnar of the sagas is based on:

• Reginherus, the Viking who besieged Paris in 845.
   

• King Horik I of Denmark, a historical figure active in the same period.
   

• Ragnall, a Norse-Gael king with exploits recorded in Irish chronicles.
   

These possibilities point to Ragnar being a symbolic figure that evolved over time, combining the exploits of several real-life Viking leaders into a grand narrative of heroism and tragedy. shutdown123