Ancient Germanic tribes

Germanic tribes are the ethnic formation of people who inhabited the northern and central part of the European continent from the first millennium BC.

History

Their origin is due to the Indo-European tribes who inhabited Northern Europe. In the first millennium BC. They become an independent ethnic entity. At this time, the Germanic tribes begin to migrate to neighboring areas, where they are resettled. In the III century BC. E. They come close to the borders of the Roman Empire and begin to invade its territory. These raids occur until the fifth century AD. And ends with the complete defeat of the Huns of one of the most powerful empires in our history.

Conquering territories, the Germanic tribes assimilated with the indigenous inhabitants, which were much larger, as a result of which ethnic groups such as the British, the French, the Swedes and other peoples appeared. With a greater share of truth, the descendants of the Germans can be called Swedes and Danes.

The social system of the ancient Germans

Initially, the ancient tribes in this territory were ruled by leaders who were assistants in the service of priests and elders. They had soldiers, free men (freedmen) and slaves subordinated to them. The leaders were elected at the people's congress and lived at the expense of the members of the tribe (by the way, on voluntary donations). Only by the 1st century AD. E. The tribes appear kings, differing from the leaders in that they can transfer power by inheritance.

Classes

Germanic tribes mainly lived on account of military raids, and they also engaged in cattle breeding. Agriculture and various crafts were alien to them. To wage wars, they needed weapons, so the Germans learned how to handle iron, which in many ways succeeded, according to historical evidence. They lived in long houses, resembling barracks, and, together with cattle.

The development of writing

The writing of the ancient Germans is a so-called runic letter, which originated from the custom of guessing on special wooden plaques. This is a very complex concept of writing, which later disappeared completely.

Beliefs

The ancient Germanic tribes were pagans, they engaged in sacrifices, including human ones. To their gods the Germans did not build temples, and the priests conducted special sacred rituals directly under the open sky.

Raiding the Roman Empire

When the ancient Germanic tribes began to penetrate deeper into the domain of Rome, they began to successfully engage in crafts. During this period, they learned how to weave and sew clothes, make various garments and utensils from the skin, began to make objects from wood and clay. Nevertheless, the war for them remained the main occupation. In free from war, the Germans were engaged in trade with the Romans.

Trade

The German tribe, engaged in trade, supplied the Roman Empire with leather, cattle, furs, and amber, which was very valued by Roman patricians. In return, the Romans could buy weapons, articles of gold and silver, enamel, wine and cloth. Trade occupied a very small part in their relationship, mainly in them there was treachery from the side of the barbarians, whom the Romans did not expect.

Wars

The first very serious attack in 113 BC. Made the German tribe of the Teutons, having broken the Roman army at the invasion of Gaul, although, after a few years, they were defeated. Subsequently, the Germanic tribes have repeatedly brought the Romans great trouble, until the IV century AD, when the nomadic tribes of the Huns invaded the territory of the Roman Empire. As a result, it fell and the Great Migration of Nations began, resulting in the complete collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. E. Germans successfully occupied the Roman territories and formed their own states, and the great empire was never destined to be reborn again.