Economic Expansion

In the first few centuries a. d., in which Roman civilization was culturally influencing Scandinavia from afar, Rome itself was in a steady state of political decline. During those centuries, as well as in the three centuries that followed the empire's collapse in the late 400s, the Scandinavians were growing more populous, more politically stable, and better off economically. "Although never free from internal trouble," Wilson explains,

This first-century b. c. embossed silver sculpture, showing the Celtic fertility god Cerunnos, was influenced by Roman artistic styles.

"the Scandinavians were building up a self-confident civilization of their own between a. d. 400 and 800." And that civilization "reached its full-blooded maturity with the Viking adventure."16

Several factors contributed to this continuing upsurge in the fortunes and capabilities of Scandinavia's early peoples. First, the generally substandard soils of much of their region forced them to turn to shipbuilding and the sea to make a hefty portion of their livings. Their maritime activities included fishing and hunting seal and walrus and, to an even greater degree, trade. Over time, producing and acquiring a wide range of trade items made many Scandinavians better able to support themselves. This led to increasing economic expansion, which in turn stimulated more population growth.