word "barbarian" there is a very long time.It can be found in the Old Slavonic, Old Russian and modern.The origins of the term extremely interesting.The article will be considered by the word "barbarian" and how it has changed over time.Each epoch make changes in this concept and interpreted in his favor.
Where the word "barbarian"?
It is widespread and is used by many people.It is caused by the fact that the word is of ancient origin, and eventually came to be used not only in its appearance, but also around the world.
Homeland word - Ancient Greece
It is this great country and cradle of civilization, has given the world a new word.Greeks thousands of years ago called because all strangers.For them, the barbarian - is any stranger who lived outside the Greek and later Roman state.The etymology of the word is still controversial.It is believed that this is onomatopoeia incomprehensible and alien to the Greek language - Var Var.The word was scornful tone, as other tribes Greeks considered less educated and cultured.However, many scientists do not agree with this version and think that this term was neutral value.
And originally this concept the ancient Greeks called all speaking a different language, and only then began to use it to refer to other people.
Later the word passed to the Romans, but received a different value.For the inhabitants of the Roman state Barbarian - a crude, uneducated people.So it became known as the northern nations, which are far behind the development of culture of the population of the Balkan Peninsula and Italy.
The Greek sounded like a barbarian barbaros.Latin name - barbarus with the same meaning (a foreigner, an outsider).Interestingly, in modern French language is the word barbare.It means "brutal, barbaric" and is very similar to another word - barbe (beard).According to specialists, linguists, the resemblance is not accidental at all.The ancient Greeks preferred to wear a neat little beard that curled and anoint with fragrant oils.Northern tribes who lived in the neighborhood, the beauty of their hair and beards did not care, so they had an unkempt appearance.
first mention of the word and change of attitude towards the barbarians
According to written sources of those years, the first time this concept is applied at the end of the VI.BC.e.Greek historian Hecataeus of Miletus.The Greeks did not accept many of the habits and customs of its neighbors, such as noisy feasts Scythians and Thracians.This was the poet Anacreon.Philosopher Heraclitus in the works to use such metaphysical concept as "barbaric soul."Thus, over time, the word has become increasingly negative connotation.Barbarian - a foreigner, which is characterized by overall low level of culture and who lacks acceptable to Greek morality and rules of conduct.
turning point was the Greco-Persian wars, hard phe- Greeks.Began to form a negative image of the man is not of Greek origin, and created the stereotype of the barbarian - cowardly, treacherous, cruel and hating Greece.
Then there was a period when there was an interest in foreign culture and even admiration for her.
in IV-V centuries.n.e., in the era of the Great Migration, the word of a negative assessment of the newly acquired and associated with violent tribes invading barbarians who destroyed the Roman civilization.
Who are the barbarians: the tribes and classes
What people were so named by the ancient Greeks?As mentioned above, it was the northern tribes: the Germanic, Slavic, Scythian, and the Celts and the Thracians.
In I.BC.e.Germanic tribes were trying to take the Roman province of Gaul.Otpor they then gave Julius Caesar.The invaders were driven back across the Rhine, which had been laid on the borders of the Roman world and the barbarian.
All these tribes had a similar lifestyle.They were engaged in cattle breeding, agriculture and hunting.Did weaving and pottery, were able to process metal.
Asked who are the barbarians, to touch and their cultural level.He has not reached such heights that made the Greek civilization, but also ignorant and wild, these tribes were not.For example, the product of Scythian and Celtic masters considered valuable works of art.
word history in the Middle Ages
Antique concept was borrowed from the Greeks and Romans, Western Europe and Byzantium.It changed the value.Barbarian - is an atheist, like a Christian, and then considered the Catholic clergy.
set of values
word "barbarian" can boast that over the centuries has changed its value.For the ancient Greeks it signified the stranger, who lived outside of the country, the Romans called those tribes and peoples who invaded the empire and destroy it.For Byzantium and Western Europe the word has become synonymous with heathen.
Today, this concept is used in a figurative sense.The nominal sense barbarian - a brutal, ignorant man, destroying cultural monuments and valuables.
Interestingly, the word has not lost its relevance, despite the remoteness of origin, is still used today.
