Hacker News

points by ChrisGreenHeur 20 hours ago | 0 comments

Overpopulation, Scandinavia did not have very fertile soil.

This is often said (also about the Viking age) and it seems such an incomplete explanation to me. Normally if more people are born than the land can feed, then vulnerable people (eg babies and kids and elderly) die at higher rates until the balance is restored. Why would Scandinavia be different?

[–] jltsiren 9 hours ago

There are often cultural elements in that balance. Many societies had cultural adaptations that lowered fertility under normal circumstances but enabled faster repopulation after a crisis. But if there was an outlet for excess people, the base reproduction rate could be higher.

For example, the Roman Republic had adapted to constant warfare and the steady stream of casualties caused by it. And then the Late Republic got into trouble, because Rome had become too good at war, and the required casualties didn't happen.

[–] mr_toad 18 hours ago

They didn’t just have the motivation to leave, they also had the opportunity.

Their longboats made them amphibious. Their ships were durable enough for the open ocean, but still able to land on any beach, or sail fair upriver.

[–] LarsDu88 15 hours ago

It had to do with inheritance. Younger sons in the viking era did not inherit the farmstead and had to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

Anytime they had a population explosion, younger sons would have to go A Viking.