Why did not the Romans invade Scandinavia?

Question: Why did not the Romans invade Scandinavia!?

I'm talking about Iceland Denmark Sweden Norway and FinlandWww@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I think distance was the issue, but not in the way that you might imagine!. I think the principal reason why Rome did not invade Scandinavia is because they really didn't know that it was there!. While a few of the Scandinavian peoples did actively trade with Rome (through other, closer, merchants), the Romans for the most part did not know what lay north of the Germanic landscape!. While there are references by Latin authors to Swedes and Geats, there is no mention of direct Roman contact with these people, likely because Roman access to this area would have meant venturing through the lands of the Germanic tribes, many of which were at odds with the Romans!.

The thing about invasions is, is that it helps to know how big the area you're invading is, what the terrain is like, and how many warriors the opposing force has at its disposal!. Since the Romans did not know this, they most likely did not give much thought to reaching those areas!. Combine this with the aforementioned inaccessibility (German impedements; sailing would not have worked, as the waters were unfamiliar) and you have no true reason for the Romans to invade Scandinavia!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Roman maps show they knew very little about these places, and their mythology puts Scandinavia off the edge of the world!. They had no reliable means of getting there and no reason to go!. Iceland!? Forget it, that is in the middle of the Atlantic which, so far as the Romans were concerned, is endless!. They might have had some interest in Denmark and had limited trade connection with people there!. However, various Germanic tribes did a very good job of keeping Romans out of most of modern Germany!. The Roman limes (border) at its greatest extent stopped on the west side of the Rhine and the south side of the Danube!. You might as well ask why they didn't conquer America!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There were millions of germans between the Roman Empire and Scandinavia!. How would the Roman army possibly make it through the dense forests of Germany, and live to take on Scandinavia!. And if they were to travel via the north sea all of their ships would be destroyed!. Because few ships could pass that area at the time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I like Lar's answer!.

You had to reward your soldiers with promises of booty, and land to settle in!. Knowledge of Scandinavia was so sparse, that the prospects of Roman soldiers getting paid at all would be very slim!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

At that time those places held no interest for the Romans,those countries were to damn cold,why do you think they stayed out of Scotland!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

because Romans were not powerful enought to do so

it was not their greed, but strength to take more conoliesWww@QuestionHome@Com

They were already stretched too thin by the time they took Britain!.Www@QuestionHome@Com