Sweden and the adjacent lands were lucky enough to not be subject to major intrusions of outside people but the period from 400 CE to 700 CE was still a period which saw a considerable degree of cultural change.

This change came about due to internal forces. The land was rich in agricultural products and its potential was increasingly realized in the fifth and sixth centuries.

The end of the Roman rule in the west released a large stream of gold into nothern Europe and a large portion of this found its way into Scandinavia. The growing political importance of this area is evidenced by the siting of three huge mounds at Gamla Uppsala, a focus of religious as well as kingly power.