Indeed, I did wonder why refugees would not aim for a non-roman urban civilization. One possibility would be if they had their backs to the wall, so to speak.
For example, assuming that the Romans chance upon Iceland during their time in Britain. They note the abundance of fish, but don't initially find anything worth the trip. The story of the trip becomes a moderatly well-known one in Roman Britain, mainly due to the tales of the Plutonic landscape.
Later on, we have one of the rebellions where a popular general in Britain tries to grab the purple. He loses very, very badly. Victorious armies from Rome burn the rebellious land, razing the cities, and crucifying every enemy soldier.
I am sure there were emperors who went for that sort of response to rebellions.
Pushed back into the north of Britain, the rebellious general, let us call him Venutius, now has his back to the end of the world, few troops left, and his fleet, such as it is, is not in a condition to sail around the roman empire. And a price on his head large enough to tempt any barbarian he coulds seek refugee with.
With no chance of survival if he stays, he makes a desperate gamble, and sets out for the empty land in the north along with his surviving soldiers and some citizens who wish to avoid the punishing armies.
Another possibility I thought of was that the volcanic landscape of Iceland may inspire some cult to set up a shrine or temple. Something to Vulcan or Pluto maybe.
For example, assuming that the Romans chance upon Iceland during their time in Britain. They note the abundance of fish, but don't initially find anything worth the trip. The story of the trip becomes a moderatly well-known one in Roman Britain, mainly due to the tales of the Plutonic landscape.
Later on, we have one of the rebellions where a popular general in Britain tries to grab the purple. He loses very, very badly. Victorious armies from Rome burn the rebellious land, razing the cities, and crucifying every enemy soldier.
I am sure there were emperors who went for that sort of response to rebellions.
Pushed back into the north of Britain, the rebellious general, let us call him Venutius, now has his back to the end of the world, few troops left, and his fleet, such as it is, is not in a condition to sail around the roman empire. And a price on his head large enough to tempt any barbarian he coulds seek refugee with.
With no chance of survival if he stays, he makes a desperate gamble, and sets out for the empty land in the north along with his surviving soldiers and some citizens who wish to avoid the punishing armies.
Another possibility I thought of was that the volcanic landscape of Iceland may inspire some cult to set up a shrine or temple. Something to Vulcan or Pluto maybe.