Roman Warm Period

As optimum of the Roman period (or climatic optimum of the Roman period ), the time of the reign of the emperor Augustus is referred to about 400 AD in the climate history. In this time the flower and the largest expansion of the Roman Empire falls.

The European climate warmed probably by 1-2 ° C It was more likely to be warm, but not too dry. The temperatures of the Alps were then like today, maybe north a bit warmer. North Africa and the Middle East were moist. As climate marker applies the Bodenwanzenart Straight Gaster urticae, which is also in York is detectable during the optimum of the Roman period. Temperature reconstructions for this period, however, are subject to considerable uncertainty.

The retreat of the Alpine glaciers improved the patency of the Alpine passes and made ​​possible the conquest and incorporation of Gaul, Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, Raetia and Noricum in the Roman Empire. From 280 AD, wine was produced in Germany and Britain.

In Northern Europe, the population increased and Goths, Gepids and Vandals began in the 2nd and 3rd centuries their migration to the south, to open up new areas of settlement, initially in the area of ​​the Carpathians and the present-day southern Russia.

On the optimum of the Roman period the pessimum the migration period followed. In the subsequent medieval warm period was followed by the northern hemisphere for a subsequent period of higher average temperatures.