For centuries, the main sources of knowledge about how to live and what to do ancient Germans were the works of Roman historians and politicians: Strabo, Pliny the Elder, Julius Caesar, Tacitus, as well as some of the ecclesiastical writers.Along with reliable information, these books and notes contained speculation and exaggeration.In addition, the ancient authors are not always deep into the politics, history and culture of the barbarian tribes.They recorded mainly the fact that "lying on the surface," or what we produce for them the strongest impression.Of course, all these works give a very good idea of the life of the Germanic tribes at the turn of epochs.However, during the later archaeological excavations, it was found that the ancient authors, describing the beliefs and way of life of the ancient Germans, many missed out.That, however, does not detract from their merits.
origin and spread of Germanic tribes
Germanic tribes belong to the Indo-European.At the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.e.Teutonic separated from PIE, and the German ethnic group was formed in the 6-1 th centuries BC.e., though not completely.Aboriginal land Germanic peoples recognized the basins of the Oder, Rhine and Elbe.Tribes were very many.Common names and they did not have the time did not realize the relationship with each other.It makes sense to list a few.Thus, in the modern Scandinavian living are, and Gautam svei.To the east of the Elbe River were located possession Goths, Vandals and Burgundians.These tribes are out of luck: they are strongly affected by the invasion of the Huns, were scattered around the world and assimilated.And between the Rhine and the Elbe settled Teutons, Saxons, Angles, Batavia, Franks.They gave rise to modern Germans, British, Dutch, French.In addition to these, there were still Jutes, Frisians, Cherusci, germundury, Cimbri, Svevo, Bastarnians and many others.The ancient Germans
first mention of the Germans
About warlike tribes of the ancient world learned in the middle of the 4th century BC.e.notes from Oracle explorer who ventured to make a trip to the shores of the North (German) sea.Then the Germans loudly announced themselves at the end of the 2nd century BC.e .: tribes of the Teutons and the Cimbri, who left Denmark, fell upon Gaul and reached prialpiyskoy Italy.
Gaius Marius was able to stop them, but from that moment the empire became vigilant activity dangerous neighbors.In turn, the Germanic tribes began to coalesce in order to strengthen its military power.In the middle of the 1st century BC.e.Julius Caesar during the Gallic War struck tribe defeated the Swabians.The Romans reached the Elbe, and later - to the Weser.It was at this time began to appear scientific papers describing the life and religion of the rebellious tribes.They (with the light hand of Caesar) was used, the term "Germans".Incidentally, this is not the self.The origin of the word - Celtic."A German" - a "living close neighbor".The ancient Germanic tribe, or rather its name - "Teutons," scientists are also used as a synonym.
Germans and their neighbors
the west and south side by side with the Germans Celts.Their material culture was higher.Externally, the representatives of these peoples were like.Romans they are often confused, and sometimes even considered as one people.However, the Celts and the Germans are not relatives.The similarity of their culture caused a close proximity, mixed marriages, trafficking.
bordered on the east Germans with the Slavs, Baltic and Finnish tribes.Of course, all these peoples had an impact on each other.It is seen in the language, customs, ways of farming.Modern Germans are descendants of the Celts and Slavs, Germans assimilated.The Romans noted the high growth of the Slavs and Germans, as well as the light or light red hair and blue (or gray) eyes.In addition, the representatives of these peoples had a similar shape of the skull, which was found during archaeological excavations.
Slavs and the ancient Germans struck the Roman researchers not only the beauty of body and facial features, but also endurance.However, the first thought is always more peaceful, while the second - aggressive and gambling.
The appearance
As already mentioned, the Germans presented effeminate Romans and grew powerful.Free men wore long hair and beards shaved.In some tribes, it was decided to link the hair on the nape.But in any case, they should have been long since cropped hair - a sure sign of a slave.Clothing Germans were mostly simple, at first quite rough.They preferred leather tunics, woolen capes.Both men and women were hardened even in the cold they wore shirts with short sleeves.Ancient Teuton reasonably believed that the extra clothes binds movement.For this reason, the soldiers did not even have armor.Helmets, however, were, although not at all.
unmarried German woman walked with her hair covered, married wool hair net.This headpiece was purely symbolic.Shoes for men and women was the same: leather sandals or boots, woolen winding.Clothes decorated brooches and buckles.
social system of the ancient Germans
socio-political institutions of the Germans are not complicated.At the turn of the century these tribes existed tribal system.It is also called a primitive.In this system, the value is not an individual, and gender.His form blood relatives who live in the same village, work the land together and bring each other an oath of vendetta.Multiple births make up the tribe.All important decisions taken ancient Germans, collecting Thing.So-called People's Assembly of the tribe.At the Thing took important decisions: the communal lands redistributed between births, judge the criminals, they dismantled disputes concluded peace treaties, declare war, and collected the militia.Here young men dedicated to the soldiers, and chose as needed military leaders - the Dukes.On Ting allowed only free men, but not all of them had the right to make speeches (it was allowed only to the elders, and the most distinguished members of the genus / tribe).Germans have existed patriarchal slavery.Captive has certain rights, property had lived in the house of the owner.They can not be killed with impunity.
Military Organization
history of the ancient Germans full of conflicts.Men devote much time to selfless work.Even before the start of systematic campaigns against the Roman lands the Germans formed a tribal elite - edelingi.Edelingami were people who had distinguished themselves in battle.Not that they had any special rights, but they have the authority.
Initially, the Germans chose ("raised to the skies") Dukes only in case of military threats.But at the beginning of the Great Migration, they began to elect kings (kings) of edelingov life.The king stood at the head of the tribes.They provided themselves with permanent squads and gives them all the necessary (usually at the end of a successful campaign).Loyalty to the leader was exceptional.Ancient Teuton considered dishonorable to return from battle, which fell konung.In this situation, the only way out was suicide.
Germans in the army there was a generic principle.This meant that the family has always fought shoulder to shoulder.Perhaps it is this feature is caused by the ferocity and fearlessness soldiers.
Germans fought on foot.The cavalry came later, the Romans had a low opinion of her.The main weapon was the spear of the warrior (frameya).Widespread famous knife ancient Germans - sax.Then came the throwing ax and sleep - a double-edged sword of Celtic.
farm
Ancient historians often describe the Germans as a nomadic herders.Moreover, the conventional wisdom that men are engaged exclusively in the war.Archaeological research 19-20th centuries showed that the situation was somewhat different.Firstly, the way of life they led a settled, engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture.The community of the ancient Germans had meadows, pastures and fields.However, the latter were few, because most of the territories occupied by the Germans subordinated forest.However, oats, rye and barley grown Germans.But the breeding of cattle and sheep has been a priority task.We Germans do not have the money, their wealth was measured by number of head of cattle.Of course, the Germans were able to perfectly handle the skin and actively traded them.They also made the fabric of wool and linen.
They have mastered the production of copper, silver and iron, but the blacksmith craft owned by few.Over time the Germans learned how to smelt Damascus steel swords and make a very high quality.However, sax, combat knife ancient Germans, not out of use.
Beliefs
Information about the religious beliefs of the barbarians, who managed to get the Roman historians are scarce, contradictory and vague.Tacitus writes that the Germans worshiped the forces of nature, especially the sun.Over time, natural phenomena become personalized.It appeared, for example, the cult of Donar (Thor), god of thunder.
very honored Tivaza Germans, the patron saint of soldiers.According to Tacitus, they performed in his honor human sacrifices.In addition, he was devoted to arms and armor of slain enemies.In addition to the "general" of the gods (Donar, water, Tivaza, Fro) each tribe praise "personal", lesser known deities.Germans did not build temples: to pray was made in the woods (sacred groves) or in the mountains.I must say that the traditional religion of the ancient Germans ( those who lived on the mainland) was relatively quickly supplanted by Christianity.Germans learned about Christ even in the 3rd century, thanks to the Romans.But in Scandinavia paganism existed for a long time.It is reflected in the works of folklore, which were written in the Middle Ages ("Elder Edda" and "Younger Edda").
Culture and Art
With reverence and respect for the Germans treated the priests and prophetess.Priests accompanied the troops in the campaigns.They are obliged to perform religious rites (of sacrifice), refer to the gods to punish the criminals and cowards.Prophetess engaged in fortune-telling: the entrails of sacred animals and defeated enemies by the blood flowing and the neighing of horses.
ancient Germans willing to create jewelry from metal in the "animal style", taken presumably Celts, but they did not have the tradition of portraying the gods.Very rough, conventional statues of deities found in peat bogs, had only ritual significance.Artistic value, they are not.However, furniture and household items Germans artfully decorated.
According to historians, the ancient Germans loved music, which has been a fixture of peers.They played flutes and lyres, sang songs.
Germans used the runic script.Of course, it was not designed for long coherent texts.Rune had a sacred meaning.With their help, people turned to the gods, trying to predict the future, cast a spell.Short runic inscriptions found on rocks, objects, on weapons and shields.Without a doubt, the religion of the ancient Germans is reflected in runic writing.Norse runes have lasted until the 16th century.
interaction with Rome: war and trade
Germania Magna, or Great Germany, has never been a Roman province.At the turn of epochs, as has been said, the Romans conquered the tribes living east of the river Rhine.But in 9 CE.e.Roman legions under the command of Cherusci Arminius (Hermann) were defeated by the Teutoburg Forest, and the lesson Imperials long remember.
enlightened border between Rome and Europe was a wild run along the Rhine, the Danube and the limes.Here the Romans stationed troops built fortifications and founded the town, which exist to this day (for example, Mainz - Mogontsiakum and Vindobona (Vienna)).
ancient Germans and the Roman Empire is not always at war with each other.Until the middle of the 3rd century BC.e.peoples have coexisted relatively peacefully.At that time, trade was developed, but rather an exchange.The Germans supplied the Romans tanned leather, furs, slaves, amber, and received in return luxuries and weapons.Little by little, they are even used to use the money.Some tribes had the privilege, for example, the right to trade in the Roman world.Many men have become mercenaries of the Roman emperors.
However, the invasion of the Huns (nomads from the east), which began in the 4th century BC.e., "shifted" the Germans from their homes, and they again rushed to the imperial territory.
ancient Germans and the Roman Empire: the final
By the beginning of the Great Migration powerful Germanic tribes to unite the kings began: first to protect against the Romans, and then - in order to capture and plunder of their provinces.In the 5th century, the whole Western Empire was invaded.On its ruins were thrown up barbarian kingdoms of the Ostrogoths, the Franks, the Anglo-Saxons.Himself the Eternal City during this turbulent century was several times besieged and plundered.Especially distinguished tribes vandals.In the year 476 BC.e.Romulus Augustus, the last Roman emperor was forced to abdicate under pressure mercenary Odoacer.
social system of the ancient Germans completely changed.From communal way of barbarians passed to the feudal.Came the Middle Ages.
