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Whom did the Romans call barbarians? Why did the Romans call the Germans barbarians?

Those whom the Romans called barbarians are known in history as one of the causes of the fall of the greatest empire. Over time, this word has acquired a figurative meaning and has become an ignorant and rude person.

Origin of the word

The etymology of the word "barbarian" has ancient Greek roots. His literal translation is "a stranger". So the Greeks called the inhabitants of other countries, which were much less developed. It is believed that the term arose as onomatopoeia. Strangers spoke in incomprehensible languages. Their sound for the Greeks merged into an incomprehensible gibberish and the repetition of the same sound - "var".

The same word later appeared in Latin. That's why the Romans called the Germans barbarians. This is not surprising, because the inhabitants of the empire adopted many features of the culture of conquered peoples. The ancient Greeks are the most vivid example of such "inheritance". From them the Romans got somewhat distorted mythology, customs, urban traditions, and also some new words in the language. Attitude to strangers in the republic, and later in the empire was contemptuous.

Whom did the Romans call barbarians? Celts, Germans, Thracians, Slavs, Scythians, Sarmatians, etc. Most of these tribes lived north of the empire.

Germans

They became the main problem for Roman civilization. In the I century AD. E. These tribes settled a vast territory between the Rhine - in the west, and the Vistula - in the east. Germans have never been a single people - it was a huge tangle of different alliances. But in general, their way of life, language and habits were similar.

The Germans were bellicose and stern inhabitants of the forests. Those whom the Romans called barbarians, arranged regular campaigns and attacks on the empire. Its northern boundary was the Danube River. On its shores were built fortified forts, in which the legions lodged. By inertia, the Romans first tried to conquer the Germans and annex their lands to the empire.

These attempts stopped after the battle in the Teutoburg Forest. The battle took place in the year 9. The Germans defeated three legions, after which the Romans marched beyond their borders to nothing. Since that moment, the border between peoples has become also a civilizational frontier.

The life of the Germanic tribes

The ancient social structure of tribes, which the Romans called barbarians, was a classic example of a tribal community. Germans periodically fought each other for resources. The turning point in their relations with the Romans occurred after the emperors began to hire the barbarians into their own army. Sometimes the same was done by rebellious military leaders who owned enough gold. Germans were valued in any army. They were stern and courageous warriors, physically stronger than the inhabitants of the southern provinces of the empire.

Some mercenaries remained to live among the Romans, receiving salaries. They took someone else's culture. Their example became contagious. The Germans, who lived between the Rhine and the Vistula, also wanted gold and other Roman goods. Over time, the influx of barbarians into the empire only increased, which aggravated national conflicts and led to wars.

Great migration of peoples

The strained relations between the Germans and the Romans became even more complicated when the Great Migration of Nations began at the end of the IV century . From the east came the warlike Huns. These nomads ousted the Slavs from their former native lands. In addition, the invasion of the Huns frightened the Germans.

The Goths were one of the largest tribes of this group. In 376, they crossed the Danube, and after the permission of the Emperor Valente tried to settle on Roman territory. However, in the new homeland, the barbarians were treated with all the inherent hatred. This led to an uprising. So the Gothic war began. Those whom the Romans called barbarians broke the army of the emperor. This caused a prolonged crisis in the state.

After the Gothic War, other barbarian tribes also rushed to the borders of the empire. They either robbed or demanded regular tribute. Those whom the ancient Romans called barbarians, organized pogroms and arson of cities. The most famous in 410 was the fall of Rome. The capital of the empire was captured by the tribe of the Visigoths under the leadership of the leader Alaric.

The fall of the Roman Empire

After this crushing blow, the remaining provinces of the state found themselves defenseless against the barbarians. Sowards and vandals came to Gaul (modern France). Many tribes were intermingling. In the end, other Germans, francs and Burgundians, became entrenched in Gaul. They were the ancestors of the modern French nation. Vandals founded their own kingdom in North Africa. Italy was captured by the Lombards. In 476, German mercenaries toppled the last Roman emperor Romulus Augustus. In the city began to rule the barbarians. This became the end of the Roman Empire.

At the same time, the Byzantine Empire remained in the east of the former state. Its capital was Constantinople (modern Istanbul). The emperors of this state considered themselves the successors of the Roman rulers. The Byzantines even tried to return Italy, though unsuccessfully. They spoke Greek. The emperors repaid from the barbarians with the help of gold. Some of them were enlisted in the army. With the help of these methods, Byzantium managed to survive the Great Migration of Nations and other conflicts with the barbarians. The state lasted until 1453, when Constantinople was taken by the Turks.

Slavs

Outlanders were not only Germans. What kind of people called the Romans barbarians, in addition to their northern neighbors? In addition to the Germans, there were also Slavs who lived to the east of them. In the Roman era, they became known after the Great Migration of Nations. Under the onslaught of the Huns, the Slavs moved to the west of their original native lands.

They occupied huge spaces from the river Oder to the upper Volga. Over time, according to the language, the Slavs divided into three large groups (western, southern and eastern). These were those whom the Romans called barbarians. Tribes that did not know the grammar were also pagans. They had their own unique pantheon of gods. In time, all the Slavs adopted Christianity, but after the fall of the Roman Empire. A great role in this process was played by Byzantium.

Old Slavic customs

Old Slavic society was built on tribal traditions. Most decisions were made with the help of the veche. It was a people's assembly, where everyone had the right to vote. Like the Germans, the Slavs were divided into a large number of tribal alliances. Over time, during a long and complex ethnogenesis, they formed modern nations.

All Slavs, except Poles, Czechs and Croats, adopted Christianity in the Constantinople pattern. Others joined the Catholic Church in Rome. Together with Christianity, the Slavs had their own alphabet. Also in the past tribal relations left. In the early Middle Ages, the Slavs formed their own national states. Some rulers eventually adopted the royal title according to the Western pattern.

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