Northern Route to Kingship: Scandinavia in the First Millennium AD

Warrior groups from the Roman army arrived in Scandinavia in the AD 180s-90s, seizing land and establishing lordly centers. They initiated production of commodities for trade and developed a heroic ethos and refined hall etiquette. In the 400s, the Western Roman Empire crumbled, and merged tribes like the Alemanni, Franks, and Goths established kingdoms. The Danir tribe migrated from the northern Continent to conquer southern Scandinavia, inspiring lords and tribal leaders to form kingdoms.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The arrival of warrior groups from tribal Scandinavia in the AD 180s-90s marked a significant turning point in the region's history, leading to the establishment of kingdoms. These groups, who were dismissed from the Roman army after defeating the Marcomanni by the Danube, brought with them a familiarity with Roman institutions and practices. Equipped with advanced warfare skills and battle-seasoned, they swiftly seized land and established lordly centers. To acquire wealth and reward their retainers and partners, the lords initiated the production of commodities for trade with their peers and Continental associates, including the Romans.

In these transcultural circumstances, lords and their retainers fostered the artisanal production of exquisite quality, nurturing a heroic ethos and refining hall etiquette. Warfare, however, became a prominent feature of the political landscape, as lords and their tribes engaged in cooperation and competition for dominance.

The collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 400s paved the way for the establishment of kingdoms by merged tribes such as the Alemanni, Franks, and Goths in former Roman territories. The Danir tribe, originating from the northern Continent, also migrated to conquer southern Scandinavia. These events inspired lords and tribal leaders across Scandinavia to form kingdoms, emulating the Roman Empire, which they had long considered a superior polity.

The book's innovative approach to disputed research topics offers a fresh perspective on this pivotal period of European history. It will undoubtedly inspire scholars, students, and interested readers to delve deeper into the complexities of this era, shedding light on the origins and development of kingdoms in tribal Scandinavia.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138831377