If the Roman Empire and the Norse Vikings went to war, who would win?

Hey everybody at GameSpot Off-Topic. If the the Roman Empire in it's heyday were to go to war with the Norse Vikings when they were professional pillagers, who do you think would win?

The Roman Empire probably had a military advantage on in the Field, but the Vikings didn't use conventional tactics that the Romans usually fought.

Sure, neither side has nukes, but they both had gods. Does M.A.D. apply, in this case? I think that the Romans had a bigger god stockpile than the Norse, but the Norse's had longer range, and were more powerful. So, the god-gap doesn't matter. (no I haven't got a source for that one.)

So, my money is on the Romans without gods, but with the Vikings if Gods are used. Yes, I know that the Romans stole Greek gods, but the U.S.S.R. stole nuclear technology from America. Cheap, but it works.

vs.

Vikings

Romans ofcourse. /thread

Damn... What is up with all these nation vs. nation threads? They should make board for it. :P

But, I think the Roman empire would win. The vikings were vicious, but they couldn't possible conquor all the land the roman empire had. Not to mention its large army.

The Romans clearly. The roman empire spanned most of the known world. Their army was the largest, strongest and best trained.

Vikings, though strong, fearless and brutal could not claim even a large fraction of the size and power of the Romans.

Even 100 Vikings Vs. 100 Roman soldiers ... I would have to go with the Romans for their better weapons, armor and battle knowledge.

Romans ofcourse. /thread

RiseAgainst12

honestly lol

Just look at how their armies work

Norse: OK, men, we are going to run into that village and rape, plunder, loot, and kill. Yell a lot, and dont forget to look a little crazy. Swing your big axe wildly

Roman: OK, soldiers, first we will start with an organized bombardment. Then we will rain arrows down upon our enemies as our armored and shield soldiers march forward. When the enemy charges, stop shooting arrows and let our foot soldiers take them on. Then we shall signal our cavalry to flank from the sides.

I am sure I am generalizing but the Romans conquered a lot of the world.

[QUOTE="RiseAgainst12"]

Romans ofcourse. /thread

mrbojangles25

honestly lol

Just look at how their armies work

Norse: OK, men, we are going to run into that village and rape, plunder, loot, and kill. Yell a lot, and dont forget to look a little crazy. Swing your big axe wildly

Roman: OK, soldiers, first we will start with an organized bombardment. Then we will rain arrows down upon our enemies as our armored and shield soldiers march forward. When the enemy charges, stop shooting arrows and let our foot soldiers take them on. Then we shall signal our cavalry to flank from the sides.

I am sure I am generalizing but the Romans conquered a lot of the world.

Well, considering gods haven't exactly played a big part in real wars aside from maybe morale or motive, I'd go with the Romans. =P The Vikings were good, but Rome probably had more troops, and their equipment was no doubt better than the Vikings with the ballistas and catapults and so on.

Well, considering gods haven't exactly played a big part in real wars aside from maybe morale or motive, I'd go with the Romans. =P The Vikings were good, but Rome probably had more troops, and their equipment was no doubt better than the Vikings with the ballistas and catapults and so on.

enix165

Well, the gods thing is just for fun. Also, without them the Vikings wouldn't stand a chance. Just trying to help them out some...

The Roman Empire > Viking Empire, and this is coming from a person with Norwegian ancestry. [QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

[QUOTE="RiseAgainst12"]

Romans ofcourse. /thread

WestSideAzn

honestly lol

Just look at how their armies work

Norse: OK, men, we are going to run into that village and rape, plunder, loot, and kill. Yell a lot, and dont forget to look a little crazy. Swing your big axe wildly

Roman: OK, soldiers, first we will start with an organized bombardment. Then we will rain arrows down upon our enemies as our armored and shield soldiers march forward. When the enemy charges, stop shooting arrows and let our foot soldiers take them on. Then we shall signal our cavalry to flank from the sides.

I am sure I am generalizing but the Romans conquered a lot of the world.

History Channel and Rome: Total War, actually. I was fighting the Germanic Tribes.

Ever wonder how Rome fell to Germans? They were too busy killing themselves for power. So, vikings ftw.

Obviously the Normans would win...see what I did there?

Depends on if it prime age Rome, or pathetic late age Rome.

Prime Rome would demolish the vikings like it was nothing with the might of the Roman war machine.

Late age Rome would put up a good fight, but the poor quality troops of the late Rome Empire with their weak motivation would be beaten back by the Vikings.

Depends on if it prime age Rome, or pathetic late age Rome.

Prime Rome would demolish the vikings like it was nothing with the might of the Roman war machine.

Late age Rome would put up a good fight, but the poor quality troops of the late Rome Empire with their weak motivation would be beaten back by the Vikings.

dercoo

Basically the Roman Empire constantly fought "guerrilla warfare" tactics in Gaul. They were well experienced in fighting similar styles to those the Norse used. Also they were one of the most amazing armies ever seen. Very organized, very hi-tech, and very dangerous.

I don't know much about the Vikings, but from what I understand is that they rarely fought in even battles. Most of their attacks were by surprise, and against a vastly inferior force.

Vikings. They are by far the manliest of men. FunnyMouth

Yea, I want the Vikings to win, but I just dont see it happening.

Romans.

Basically the Roman Empire constantly fought "guerrilla warfare" tactics in Gaul. They were well experienced in fighting similar styles to those the Norse used. Also they were one of the most amazing armies ever seen. Very organized, very hi-tech, and very dangerous.

I don't know much about the Vikings, but from what I understand is that they rarely fought in even battles. Most of their attacks were by surprise, and against a vastly inferior force.

jrhawk42

But they didn't fight naval guerilla warfare in Gaul :| with boats. Surprise boat warfare!!

[QUOTE="jrhawk42"]

Basically the Roman Empire constantly fought "guerrilla warfare" tactics in Gaul. They were well experienced in fighting similar styles to those the Norse used. Also they were one of the most amazing armies ever seen. Very organized, very hi-tech, and very dangerous.

I don't know much about the Vikings, but from what I understand is that they rarely fought in even battles. Most of their attacks were by surprise, and against a vastly inferior force.

coolbeans90

But they didn't fight naval guerilla warfare in Gaul :| with boats. Surprise boat warfare!!

....submarines? uboats?

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="jrhawk42"]

Basically the Roman Empire constantly fought "guerrilla warfare" tactics in Gaul. They were well experienced in fighting similar styles to those the Norse used. Also they were one of the most amazing armies ever seen. Very organized, very hi-tech, and very dangerous.

I don't know much about the Vikings, but from what I understand is that they rarely fought in even battles. Most of their attacks were by surprise, and against a vastly inferior force.

mrbojangles25

But they didn't fight naval guerilla warfare in Gaul :| with boats. Surprise boat warfare!!

....submarines? uboats?

No, just constant surprise sea to land invasions, and constantly moving bases. (humor me, I'm trying to keep the vikes alive :x)

Rome...i think they had superior tactics as well as technology..

The Roman Empire would win easily...the roman military machine was probably the greatest military force the earth would see until the invention of guns.

The Vikings. Why? Because they're ****ing Vikings that's why.

Depends which period were talking about, the Romans at their height would easily win but the later Romans (Western Roman Empire) might lose. Other barbarians with lesser technology beat the Romans so the Vikings would win.

Damn... What is up with all these nation vs. nation threads? They should make board for it. :P

But, I think the Roman empire would win. The vikings were vicious, but they couldn't possible conquor all the land the roman empire had. Not to mention its large army.

supergamer514

Wasn't it a combination of barbarians and internal conflicts that caused Rome to fall?

If a bunch of barbarians could do it I'm fairly certain Vikings could do it.

Rome being at the height of their power would absolutely annihilate the vikings.

Vikings were great warriors, but they never forged an Empire that the world would never forget.

Both had their strong and weakpoints, andRomans were accustomed to fighting barbarians anyways... but they still lost some battles.

Rome in its prime could probably handle them, but not during their crappy dark ages and splitting of the western and eastern empires.

The 2 already have been at war with each other, remember Rome didn't fall untill 1453.

EDIT: an the romans won historicly.

Hmm. Well, the Roman soldiers are better trained. The Roman Empire was also one of the most powerful in history. On the other hand, the Vikings I believe have better weapons since they came about long after the Roman Empire (I think. I could be wrong). And the Vikings took on the English, also one of the strongest Empires in history. But I'm going with the Romans.

Vikings because they would have Odin on their side.

On the other hand, the Vikings I believe have better weapons since they came about long after the Roman Empire (I think. I could be wrong).

JediXMan7

Wasn't it a combination of barbarians and internal conflicts that caused Rome to fall?

If a bunch of barbarians could do it I'm fairly certain Vikings could do it.

-TheSecondSign-

I could be wrong but I think it was the Vandals and the Visigoths that took the decaying Roman Empire down.

I voted Vikings because I thought this was near the end of the Roman Empire.....but if it was during their "heyday", no question the Romans.

Romans would destroy the Vikings. If i was a Viking i would **** myself watching an oncoming Roman Legion