Erik the Red was a legendary, fiery Norse explorer known for his red hair, violent temper, and two exiles from Iceland, leading him to discover and colonize Greenland around 985 AD, establishing the first European settlement there by shrewdly calling it "Greenland" to attract settlers, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in Viking expansion despite his outlaw past.

Key Characteristics & Actions:
Appearance: His nickname "the Red" came from his red hair and beard, common among Norse people but also possibly reflecting his fiery nature.
Temperament: He was known as a difficult man with a "hyperactive sword hand," frequently getting into violent disputes that resulted in murder and manslaughter, leading to his banishment.

Exile & Exploration: Banished from Norway and then Iceland for violence, he sailed west during his Icelandic exile (c. 982 AD) and found a fertile, ice-free land he named Greenland to lure settlers.
Colonization: He returned to Iceland and successfully persuaded hundreds to follow him to Greenland, establishing flourishing Norse settlements (the Eastern & Western Settlements) that lasted for centuries.
Legacy: He's celebrated in sagas like Eiríks Saga Rauða for his daring exploration and founding Greenland, a major achievement in Norse history, despite his outlaw status.

In essence, Erik the Red was a complex hero: a banished outlaw whose aggressive spirit ironically led to one of the most significant Viking colonization efforts, shaping Norse presence in the North Atlantic.