The Germanic tribes invaded Europe, diffused into its society and influenced the civilizations already in Europe. But what were those influences? Did each tribe contribute something unique to Europe? Where did each tribe come from? The time span of the Germanic, or barbarian, invasions spans roughly a thousand years. My primary focus will be on the years 500 B.C. to 500 A.D. As a whole the Germanic tribes contributed different kinds of warfare, politics, and weaponry. An example of this is the two edged-sword, which became more wide-spread in the third century. Although it was the Romans who first developed it, it was the Germanic tribes who made the use of the sword widespread. There were four main Germanic tribes. They were: The Goths, Vandals,
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There are differing accounts as to the origin of the actual tribe itself, but they generally developed along the lower Rhine River. The Franks had what can be considered the impact that lasted the longest on Europe. They didn’t move much from their position at the lower level of the Rhine, instead they grew. They expanded slightly west into modern day France, and from there they gathered power. While the Roman Empire was still powerful, they were not allowed to cross the Rhine, unless of course they were to join the Roman legions. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks finally crossed the Rhine, seizing enough land to make them content, and settling down. Over the years the Frankish political system grew more complex and at one point there were four kings ruling the Frankish kingdom. In 481, Clovis was chosen to be one of the kings of the Franks. However, he was a cunning ruler and had the other kings killed. He therefore established himself as the sole ruler of the Franks. Most of the other Germanic tribes disappeared after their great leaders died, or after they were forced from their greatest settlements, but not the Franks. After Clovis died, the Frankish kingdom was split between his four sons. The Frankish kingdom would go through many divisions and reunifications, and eventually it would come under the control of Charles Martel and his grandson, Charlemagne. The Franks became the longest lasting Germanic
There are differing accounts as to the origin of the actual tribe itself, but they generally developed along the lower Rhine River. The Franks had what can be considered the impact that lasted the longest on Europe. They didn’t move much from their position at the lower level of the Rhine, instead they grew. They expanded slightly west into modern day France, and from there they gathered power. While the Roman Empire was still powerful, they were not allowed to cross the Rhine, unless of course they were to join the Roman legions. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks finally crossed the Rhine, seizing enough land to make them content, and settling down. Over the years the Frankish political system grew more complex and at one point there were four kings ruling the Frankish kingdom. In 481, Clovis was chosen to be one of the kings of the Franks. However, he was a cunning ruler and had the other kings killed. He therefore established himself as the sole ruler of the Franks. Most of the other Germanic tribes disappeared after their great leaders died, or after they were forced from their greatest settlements, but not the Franks. After Clovis died, the Frankish kingdom was split between his four sons. The Frankish kingdom would go through many divisions and reunifications, and eventually it would come under the control of Charles Martel and his grandson, Charlemagne. The Franks became the longest lasting Germanic