4 Discussion
4.1 Romantic Nationalism
Romanticism developed toward the end of the 18th century and, by the beginning of the 19th century, the phenomenon had become a wide movement that deeply influenced ideas and ideals, playing a significant role in the development of nationalism and the concept of nation-state (Green 1997:737). The ideals of romantic nationalism inspired an interest in antiquity and ancient traditions: among a number of emerging nations arose a need for reconstructing indigenous mythical pasts and creating national epics, often with the purpose of supporting a case for nation-state status (Green 1997:737-739).
Romantic nationalism was instrumental in the resurgence of ancient characters in order to make them part of the national …show more content…
Belgian and Flemish narratives are both rooted in romantic nationalism: the idea of an ‘ancient Belgium’ or an ‘ancient Flanders’ was used to back up the national claims in modern times. This romanticised view of the past had little to do with historical accuracy: allusions in Caesar’s commentaries were branded as proof of a nation in the making, the Germano-Celtic roots of the Belgae were shaped and re-shaped to serve the different narratives, ancient events were embellished with folkloric details or even born from almost nothingness. As in other countries, these ideas have permeated the political discourse and the literary works throughout the 19th and 20th centuries – nevertheless, there were some specificities that can be identified for …show more content…
In this narrative, the Roman occupiers were no more branded as enemies, but rather as a civilizational force, having brought their language and sophisticated culture to backward peoples. The Germanic roots of the ancient inhabitants were downplayed in favour of the Gallo-Roman heritage, to the point that the ancient inhabitants were redefined as Gallo-Celtic tribes struggling with Germanic incursions. The discovery of ancient Roman villas served to substantiate the claim that Belgium was intrinsically a ‘Latin’ country.
• Flemish nationalism, which rose against the French-speaking elite and advocated for the recognition of Dutch as official language and for greater Flemish autonomy. In this narrative, ancient Belgian tribes were rebranded as ‘Flemish’ and their Germanic roots were again praised in opposition to the Roman world. The establishment of the linguistic border, which was crucial for Flemish nationalists to legitimate the usage of Dutch and to secure the borders of Flanders, was supported by the speculated existence of the ‘Limes Belgicus’ separating the German and the Roman spheres of
4.1 Romantic Nationalism
Romanticism developed toward the end of the 18th century and, by the beginning of the 19th century, the phenomenon had become a wide movement that deeply influenced ideas and ideals, playing a significant role in the development of nationalism and the concept of nation-state (Green 1997:737). The ideals of romantic nationalism inspired an interest in antiquity and ancient traditions: among a number of emerging nations arose a need for reconstructing indigenous mythical pasts and creating national epics, often with the purpose of supporting a case for nation-state status (Green 1997:737-739).
Romantic nationalism was instrumental in the resurgence of ancient characters in order to make them part of the national …show more content…
Belgian and Flemish narratives are both rooted in romantic nationalism: the idea of an ‘ancient Belgium’ or an ‘ancient Flanders’ was used to back up the national claims in modern times. This romanticised view of the past had little to do with historical accuracy: allusions in Caesar’s commentaries were branded as proof of a nation in the making, the Germano-Celtic roots of the Belgae were shaped and re-shaped to serve the different narratives, ancient events were embellished with folkloric details or even born from almost nothingness. As in other countries, these ideas have permeated the political discourse and the literary works throughout the 19th and 20th centuries – nevertheless, there were some specificities that can be identified for …show more content…
In this narrative, the Roman occupiers were no more branded as enemies, but rather as a civilizational force, having brought their language and sophisticated culture to backward peoples. The Germanic roots of the ancient inhabitants were downplayed in favour of the Gallo-Roman heritage, to the point that the ancient inhabitants were redefined as Gallo-Celtic tribes struggling with Germanic incursions. The discovery of ancient Roman villas served to substantiate the claim that Belgium was intrinsically a ‘Latin’ country.
• Flemish nationalism, which rose against the French-speaking elite and advocated for the recognition of Dutch as official language and for greater Flemish autonomy. In this narrative, ancient Belgian tribes were rebranded as ‘Flemish’ and their Germanic roots were again praised in opposition to the Roman world. The establishment of the linguistic border, which was crucial for Flemish nationalists to legitimate the usage of Dutch and to secure the borders of Flanders, was supported by the speculated existence of the ‘Limes Belgicus’ separating the German and the Roman spheres of