Friend or Foe

Alliances and Power Structures in Southern Scandinavia during the Roman Iron Age

Abstract

This article is based on a paper I gave at a seminar in Lund in October 2009. My aim then and now is to challenge previous research on the weapon deposits from southern Scandinavia in the Roman Iron Age. The focus will be on the different weapon rites and their importance for maintaining leadership and control. The deposits from the Early Roman Iron Age of Vimose, Funen, show a striking variety concerning the origin of the sacrificed equipment. This is interpreted as the use of allies from different areas of Northern Europe. Finally, the different ways of visualizing power are discussed, and a new model for power structure is offered.