* To escape prosecution: Erik the Red, also known as Erik Thorvaldsson, was a prominent Norse explorer and chieftain from Iceland who is believed to have founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. He was born in 950 CE in Iceland into a renowned family. Erik's reason for exploration is primarily attributed to his desire to flee Iceland and escape prosecution for three manslaughter convictions. After committing these crimes, he was declared an outlaw by the Icelandic parliament, known as the Althing, and was forced to leave the island for a period of three years.
* Seeking new opportunities: In addition to avoiding punishment, Erik the Red was motivated by the potential for new opportunities and riches in unexplored lands. Norse tradition and sagas recount stories of daring voyages and the discovery of new lands, inspiring Erik's desire for adventure and the chance to establish his own settlement. He aimed to find new territories and resources that could offer better prospects for himself, his family, and his followers.
* Familiarity with the sea: Erik the Red hailed from a seafaring culture. The Vikings were renowned for their skilled navigation and exploration, and Erik grew up with an intimate knowledge of the sea and voyaging. His father, Thorvald Asvaldsson, was himself an explorer who is believed to have reached the coast of Greenland. Erik inherited his father's fascination with exploration, and he possessed the necessary experience, knowledge, and passion for traversing the open waters.