Germanic Tribes Portal

DUERINCK’S GERMANIC TRIBES PORTAL

Last revised February 3, 2007 (Langobards link). Constructive feedback is always welcome.

GERMANIC TRIBES

(the original list (tribal names only) is from Wikipedia encyclopedia, but the comments, tribal additions are from me or helpful submitters Wikipedia )
Aduatuci: [added] Caesar wrote that they were descended from the Cimbri and Teutones. At the time of Caesar they lived as neighbors with the Eburones in Gallia Belgica, with the Nervii to their west and the Treveri to their south. [Source: "The World of the Celts" by Simon James (1993), map page 119]
Alamanni: early on was part of the Suebian federation of Germanic tribes, along with the Marcomanni, Hermunduri and Quadi. A germanic tribe springing "from their Elbian homelands". The Aleman horsemen were first sighted by the Romans in 213 AD. In 233 AD they overran the empty Roman limes forts, reached the Saar and Moselle Rivers in the west and Lake Constance in the south. Also settled in the Middle Elbe (time?). Aleman raids in 242, 253, 254 AD. Also 259, 260 AD in Raetia and Mediolanum (Milan). Franks defeated the Alemans in 496 or 497 AD at Tolbiacum/Zuelpich. Coupled with Franks expansion in the sixth century AD, forced the Alemanni into territory between Alsace in the wet and the River Lech in the east; to the south they crossed the Rhine and Lake Constance, into Alpine river valleys. There is a huge Aleman cemetery at Schretzheim. Alemannic place names ending in ingen, heim, statt and weil were settled between the 5th-7th centuries AD, while endings in dorf, stetten, hifen, weiler, bach, beuren, hausen, wang and felden were founded after 700 AD [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at pages 54-61].
Alans: Not a germanic tribe, probably of Sarmatian origin. The Alans became "germanized".
Ambrones
Amsivarii: men of the Ems. A germanic tribe on the "upper Wupper" River, between the lower Weser and lower Ems Rivers, neighbors of the germanic tribe Chasuarii. The Amsivarri became part of the Franks.
Anglii/Angles: A germanic tribe that came from the Jutland Peninsula (Angeln?) and lived in the Schleswig-Holstein area (north Germany) around 100 AD. This tribe was connected to the Thuringii tribe. The Angles/Anglii were represented in the 9th century Thuringian law called "Lex Angliorum et Werinorum, hoc est, Thuringorum" as were the Warnii/Warnians, which evidences a legal relationship with the Thuringians. Many Angles migrated to Britain during the 5th/6th centuries, with or after the Saxons, and settled in the north, east and center of Britain, areas known as East Anglia, Mercia, Deira and Bernicia (see Saxons, Jutes, Frisians). First mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth." Ptolemy stated that some of the Anglii moved south during the 2nd century. See also isotope analysis at http://www.dur.ac.uk/p.d.budd/isogeochem/west_hes.html.
Angrivarii: meaning (men of Enger).
Atrebates: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Aviones: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Bastarnae: "A German tribe which became known to the Romans early (in the war on Pyrrhus), whose abode extended from the the sources of the Vistula to the Carpates, and from the lower Danube to its mouth [Podolia, Galicia, Ukraine]." [Latin Dictionary Founded on Andrew's Edition of Freund's Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis, citing Livy, Pliny the Elder, and Tacitus]. "In the latter part of the third century BC a people named the Bastarnae arrived on the northwest coast of the Black Sea." [Source: Tacitus: Germania by Cornelius Tacitus, James Rives (Editor, 1999)]. Tacitus states: "The Peucini, however, who are sometimes called Bastarnae, are like Germans in their language, manner of life, and mode of settlement and habitation." [Sources: "The Agricola and the Germania" by Cornelius Tacitus (1971)]. The subtribes of the Bastarnae included the Peucini (Peukiner), Atmonen, Sidonen. [Sources: Strabo VII, 3, 13; Ptolemy (III, 5,7); RGA article, page 235 in the "P" volume]. It is widely accepted today that the Bastarnae were part of the Poienesti-Lukashevka culture (begun around the 2nd to 1st centuries BC). The Gubener Gruppe in the Lower Lausitz contributed most significantly to the P-L culture. The centre of origin of this culture was the Jastorf area, especially the area between the Elbe and Oder Rivers. [Source: RGA, page 235 in the "P" volume].
Batavii: The Batavi tribe, originally part of the Chatti, migrated between 100 BC and 50 BC from North Hessen to an "island" (now called "Betuwe") between the Waal and Rhine Rivers in the Roman province of Lower Germany. They were excellent horsemen. Today the area includes Rotterdam, Sleidrecht, Geldermalsen and Tiel in the Netherlands. The Batavii tribe was mentioned in The Notitia Dignitatum of the 5th Century AD. The Batavians revolted in 69 AD under the Batavian leader called Gaius (or Claudius) Julius Civilis ("Julius Civilis") near the border between Germany and the Netherlands, near Nijmegen (their capital back then was called Noviomagus Batavodurum).
Bavarii (Baioari in Latin, also Baiuvarii): an Elbian germanic tribe out of the Czech Republic (Bohemia), traveled south to Austria and Bavaria; under Thuringian and Lombardic influence. "An ethnic conglomerate of Germanic tribal splinter groups, coalesced from about 476 AD onward between the Danube and the Alps from the Rivers Lech/Iller in the west, to the River Enns in the east." Schutz also states that the peoples that would become Bavarians were part of Theoderic's Ostrogothic and mainly defensive Prefecture of Italy. Core people were from Bohemia, plus Alemans, Juthungians, Elbians, Marcomans, Danubian Suebians, Skirians, Rugians, Thuringians, and after 555/556 AD, Lombards and others like Goths, other easterners, and Romans. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at page 67,68, citing Boehme, "Stammesbildung" in Dannheimer and Dopsch pp 34, 37, "Die Bajuweren" for the composition of the Bavarii]. Many Gothic fibulae demonstrate the Ostrogothic force on the area culture. The rulers in Bavaria were more Frankish rather than from the tribe Bavarii. See Heruli below. First named in 557 AD in Jordanes "Getica" where he called them "Baioras". During the 6th century were assimilated into other groups. A famous, and largest Bavarian row gravefield is at Straubing--over 800 graves--ornaments from Frankish-Alemannic west, Thuringian and central German north, an an eastern Danubian, Ostrogothic and Italic south. At another site--Altenerding near Muenich--there were over 2000 burials, demonstrating a population synthesis for 200 years beginning in the late 5th century AD. Some Hunnish skull deformations (female) were present. Grave goods, first phase, at Altenerding consisted of Thuringian-Upper Elbian, Ostrogothic, early Langobardic inventories. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schultz (2001 Brill Publ.) at page 64-67].
Belgae: the current view is that the Belgae were a cross between celtic and germanic tribes, tall with blond hair. Julius Caesar wrote that the Belgae differed from the Gauls and other tribes such as the Aquitani in language, customs and laws even though they lived in the northern part of what Caesar called Gaul. Caesar also states "the greater part of the Belgae were sprung, from the Germans". The Belgae fought the Romans in the Gallic Wars (58 BC-51 BC). One of the belgic tribes, the Aduatuci, was virtually wiped out. Also see J.A. MacCulloch's book, "The Religion of the Ancient Celts" (1st ed. 1911), who states that the Belgae were Germanic, based on the analysis of the skulls found in the Belgicae burials of Grenelle, Sclaigneaux and Borreby, France.
Gallia Belgica, a part of ancient Roman Gaul, had many different tribes: Caleti, Velocasses, Morini, Atrebates, Menapi, Morini, Nervi, Bellovaci, Remi, Eburoni, Veromandui, Aduatuci, Condrusi, the Eburones, the Caeraesi, the Paemani. The Belgae were probably a federation of these various tribes, as Caesar discussed. [Note from Kevin: Hawkes 1968 Cunliffe 1988 and 1991 seem to think that the Belgae/Belgii were a celtic tribe from nothern Gaul who migrated to central southern England (Hampshire and West Sussex) between 100 and 80 B.C.]. The Belgae spoke another dialect of Celtic mixed with German. [Source: From: J. B. Greenough, Benjamin L. D'Ooge, M. Grant Daniell, Commentary on Caesar's Gallic War]. "The Belgae themselves believed that their ancestors had crossed the Rhine into Gaul from the east and this tradition may reflect a prehistoric migration, perhaps in the second century BCE." [Source: Ancestors: The Origins of the People and Countries of Europe by Martin Berg and Miles Litvinoff (Eurobook 1992)]
The ancestors of the Belgae are unknown at this time, although the Belgae considered themselves descended from the Germani. [Source: The Prehistory of Germanic Europe by Herbert Schutz (1983), p. 338]. The Greek writer Strabo noted the resemblance between the Belgae and the Germani. The tribal names of some of the Belgae have continued in their regional centers; thus the Remi are remembered in Reims, the Suessiones in Soissons, the Belovaci in Beauvais, the Ambioni in Amiens, and so forth. [Source: The Prehistory of Germanic Europe by Herbert Schutz (1983), p. 338].
"The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar: "All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in our Gauls, the third. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws. The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae. Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of [our] Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind; and they are the nearest to the Germans, who dwell beyond the Rhine, with whom they are continually waging war; for which reason the Helvetii also surpass the rest of the Gauls in valor, as they contend with the Germans in almost daily battles, when they either repel them from their own territories, or themselves wage war on their frontiers. One part of these, which it has been said that the Gauls occupy, takes its beginning at the river Rhone; it is bounded by the river Garonne, the ocean, and the territories of the Belgae; it borders, too, on the side of the Sequani and the Helvetii, upon the river Rhine, and stretches toward the north. The Belgae rises from the extreme frontier of Gaul, extend to the lower part of the river Rhine; and look toward the north and the rising sun. Aquitania extends from the river Garonne to the Pyrenaean mountains and to that part of the ocean which is near Spain: it looks between the setting of the sun, and the north star." [Source: "The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar, Book 1, Chapter 1 ("De Bello Gallico). The Belgae are mentioned in Books I, II and VIII]
Bellovaci: listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae. Caesar said that the Bellovaci exceeded all the Gauls (meaning the Celts) and Belgae in military prowess. {Source: "The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar, Book 8, Chapter 6]
Boii See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Bructeri: a germanic tribe that lived south of the Teutoberg Forest in Germany; merged with the Franks.
Burgundians: an east germanic tribe who settled around the Vistula Basin before moving west to the Rhine River valley. First mentioned in 278 AD when invading Raetia with the Vandals. Alemans were neighbors, but fought over the salt springs in 369 AD. In 413 AD Roman emperor Honorius recognizes them as Roman Foederati, gives them land, their capital becomes Worms. In 435 AD defeated by Roman Aetius and Hunnish mercenaries, wiping out the Burgundian royal family and 20,000 of the tribe. Resettlement in 443 AD as foederati and laeti in western Switzerland/eastern France. King Gundobad establishes a capital at Geneva, Switzerland. So they ended up as a dual kingdom, with capitals at Geneva and at Lyons. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at pages 36,37; also citing "Die Burgunder" in Krueger's 'Die Germanen', volume II, which in turn cites Sidonius Appollinaris "Carmina" 7, 322; also citing "Gesellschaft und Kunst der Germanen--Die Thueringer und ihre Welt" by Guenter Behm-Blanke (Verlag der Kunst, Dresden 1973) at page 6]. Eventually they were subjugated by the Merovingian Franks in 532 AD, with their kingdoms being divided up among the three Frankish kings. King Gundaharius was one of the Burgundian kings. Another was King Gundobad, who issued some Germanic law codes, the "Lex Gundobada" or "Lex Burgundionum".
Burgundian origin: while some sources mention the origin as possibly Bornholm, this view is disputed and may not be supported by archaelogy. The evidence (at this time) appears to more favor that the Burgundians were archaeologically of the Lebus/Lausitz group (100 AD), a group of the Przeworsk culture emigrating from south east of the Burgundian settlements at the middle of the Oder River. [Source: Achim Leube, "Semnonen, Burgunden, Alamannen" (Berlin 1995); see also the article 'Bornholm' in the Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde regarding linguistics of "Burdundian" and "Bornholm".] Also supporting the Przeworsk culture origin: A. Leube 'Die Burgunden bis zum Untergang ihres Reiches an der oberen Rhone im Jahr 534, In Kruger, Die Germanen 2, (Berlin 1986); D. Neubauer Ostgermanen beiderseits des Rheins? Ein Beitrag zu voelkerwanderungszeitlichen Schnallen in Mittle Westeuropa. In Meinfrankische Studien 63, (Buechenbach 1999); and J. Haberstroh, Germanische Stammesverbaende an oberem Main und Regnitz. In Archiv Gesch. Oberfranken 75, (1995).
Caeraesi: [added], listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Caleti: listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae. Inhabited northwestern Gaul. [Source: "De Bello Gallico" by Caesar]
Canninefates/Cananefates
Chamavi: The Chamavi, a Germanic tribe, are first mentioned in the year 289 AD as a "Frankish" people. Around 300 AD they are found east of the Salians who are south east of the Isselmeer area. Earlier, on the Peutinger Map, a Roman map, there is an inscription just north of the Rhine, stating 'Hamavi qui et Franci' which would be translated as 'the Chamavi also called Franks'. Although a "Frankish" tribe, they appear to retain their own identity as late as the 9th century AD when they were given their own law code, named "Lex Francorum Chamavorum". Their name lives on in the area known as Hamaland. Other place names may include places like (Ch)Amavorum and (Ch)Attuariorum in Burgundy, where Chamavi laeti units may have settled in large numbers. The Notitia Dignitatum also lists cohorts and alae ("wings") of Franks with several detachments, including Chamavi.[Source: "The Franks" by Edward James (1988 hardcover, Blackwell Publishers, ISBN: 0631148728; 1991 softcover, Blackwell Publishers, ISBN: 0631179364)].
Chasuarii: A germanic tribe on the "upper Wupper" River, between the lower Weser and lower Ems Rivers, neighbors of the germanic tribe Amsivarii.
Chatti [added]: A germanic tribe absorbed by the Franks in 508 AD. See also Batavii.
Chauci: lived on the northwestern shore of Germany during Roman times. They then were either merged with or subjugated by the Saxons in the 4th century. (Musset, 1975). More specifically, the Chauci lived on the lower Ems River and the Hase River. They were neighbors of the Amsivarii and Chasuarii.
Cherusci: a germanic tribe settled around the Rhine and the forests of western Germany. Were principals in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. Arminius, a Cherusci leader, wiped out three Roman legions under Varus.
Chatti: around early Roman times, a germanic tribe near the upper reaches of the rivers Weser, Eder, Fulda and Werra; folded into the Franks [Source: Wikipedia]
Cimbri: a germanic and/or celtic tribe--the evidence is thin either way. "The World of the Celts" by Simon James skips discussion of them other than to infer that they were germanic [1993 page 46]. Prof. Barry Cunliffe devotes more space to them, and says that while their origins are obscure, the evidence suggests that the Cimbri and Teutones came from northwest Europe by the North Sea [Source: "The Ancient Celts" (1997 pp. 221,222)]. Some sources cite that they were originally from Jutland, the western peninsula of Denmark, their homeland being Himmerland or Kimmerland. Because of some language comparisons (cym=kim), some believe that the Cimbri were Celtic, although other evidence points to their germanic origin. The tribe was destroyed by the Roman, Marius, at Vercellae 101 BC. The Cimbri had joined the Teutonii and Tiguronii in attacking Italy via different routes. The Teutonii were destroyed in 102 BC. (See Teutonii tribe below)
Condrusi: [added by me]. The Condrusi were listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar.
Dulgubnii:
Eburoni: [added by me]: Ambiorix, the chief of the Eburoni, is memorialized in statue form in Tongres, Belgium. See Tungri/Tongri below. Listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae. At the time of Caesar they lived as neighbors with the Aduatuci in Gallia Belgica, with the Nervii to their west and the Treveri to their south. [Source: "The World of the Celts" by Simon James (1993), map page 119]. Were tribes like the Eburones neither Germanic nor Celtic, but of a third classification, as would be some Belgae tribes?
Eudoses: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Fosi
Franks: the name of the "Franks" pops up in 256 AD when they were seen crossing the Lower Rhine. In 231 AD the Roman legion at Bonna fought a Lower Rhine tribe, may have been the Franks. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Schutz at page 43]. Gregory of Tours writes that the Franks believed themselves descended from the Sicambri (a Scythian tribe?). The founding tribes of the Franks: Schutz states that these were the Batavi, Bructeri, Tungri, Sugambri and others that lived along both sides of the Middle and Lower Rhine. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Schutz, p. 43]. One author on the Germanic-L List believes that the "founding tribes" of the Franks probably included the Chamavi, Sugambri, Batavi, Chattuari, Amsivari, Bructeri, Usipi etc. Frankish sub-groups are later identified as Ripuari and Sali (the Ripuarian and Salian Franks). See Duerinck, on History of the Franks
Frisians: Tacitus mentioned them as part of the Ingvaeones. This tribe inhabited the Noordbrabant district of the Southern Netherlands south of the River Maas, extending into the Antwerpen district of Northern Belgium. In his manuscript "Belgica", Pliny says that the Roman general Drusus conquered the Frisians in 12 B.C. Ptolemy, in his "Geographica", states that the Frisians occupied the North Sea coastal area (OK, not his exact words). It is believed that as the Angle/Saxon horde came through on their way to Britain, that some Frisians joined them, others staying behind in what is now the Netherlands. The Frisian tribe was mentioned in The Notitia Dignitatum, an early 5th century AD document, in which was transcribed every military and governmental post in the late Roman empire.
Gepidae, Gepids: a Germanic tribe first mentioned around A.D. 260, when they participated in an invasion in Dacia together with the Goths. They settled on the eastern bank of the Tisza River. They were subjugated by the Ostrogoths in the 4th century and also to the Huns, fighting with the Huns in 451 AD. One of their kings was King Arderic. They were kicked out of settling in the area of present day Belgrade and were conquered by the Avars in 567. [Source: Wikipedia]. See "The Goths" by Peter Heather (1996) who read Hachmann's earlier work. Disputing Jordanes, the Goth/Gepid culture originated from northern Continental Europe rather than from southern Sweden (Heather 1996, page 14). Archaeological evidence demonstrates that the Goths did migrate from northeastern Europe to Scythia. [Source: Heather].
Goths: see Duerinck's Goths Tribe . See "The Goths" by Peter Heather (1996) who read Hachmann's earlier work. Disputing Jordanes, the Goth/Gepid culture originated from northern Continental Europe rather than from southern Sweden (Heather 1996, page 14). Archaeological evidence demonstrates that the Goths did migrate from northeastern Europe to Scythia [Source: Heather] --the "Gotones" tribe of the Vistula were related to the Goths. Archaeologically, the Wielbark culture moved from the Vistula area to the Black Sea, supporting a close connection between Gotones and Goths. In the beginning of the 3rd century the Goths migrated from the Vistula area in Poland to north of the Black Sea. The most famous ruler of this group was Ermanaric. This kingdom was destroyed by the Huns between 370 and 380 A.D. Some Goths migrated west to form kingdoms in Italy and Spain. Others remained in the East, forming another kingdom after the fall of the Huns. The Varangians and the Kolbjazi were the foremost representatives of this kingdom. The Slavic peoples called the Goths "Rus" (meaning the Red-Blond-People). [Source: O.Pritsak, _The Origin of Rus - Vol.1 - Old Scandinavian Sources other than the Sagas_ (1981)]
Future research: Vesi, Tervingi, Greutungi, Ostrogoths, and perhaps Taifali.
Harii
Harudians: Early on, around 100 AD, this germanic tribe lived near Schleswig-Holstein of northern Germany, along with the Anglii and Warnians. Centuries later they all moved south and lived in the North Harz area near the Turingii tribe. The 'year books of Fulda' mention that 'the Harudians live in the Harudorum pagus' in about 850AD.
Helisii
Helvetii: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Hermunduri: the precursor ancient germanic tribe that is believed to have helped form the Thuringii confederation (tribe) around the 4th and 5th century AD, along with influx of other tribes. The Marcomanii and Semnones, along with the Hermunduri, helped form the Suebian federation. [Source: The Germanic Realms in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750" by Herbert Schutz (2000) at page 401]. Also add the Quadi. Hermunduren princely grave found at Gommern, east of Magdeburg--culture dated to 450 AD, but grave is mid third century. Tumulus raised over grave. [Source: "Tools, Weapons and Ornaments: Germanic Material Culture in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe" by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at page 29, citing Behm-Blancke p.28ff; Peschel p.139f., S. Froehlich (ed.), "Das germanische Fuerstengrab von Gommern, Gold fuer die Ewigkeit (Halle 2000)]. There has been the discovery of a Hermunduren "princely" ladie's grave at Hassleben, late third century--had Roman objects and food in the grave. [Source: Schutz in "Tools, Weapons..."].
Heruli: In 508 AD the Lombards crushed the eastern Herulians who had settled along the Middle Danube River. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz at page 33]. Herulian king Rodulf supported the migration of this tribe from Bohemia into Bavaria. The Heruli were a part of the Bavarii.
The Heruli joined with the Goths and crossed the limes in 267 AD (Trebellius Pollio, Scriptores Historiae Augustae, Gallieni, 13, 6) (Magie, 1921, Scorpan, 1980). In 276 AD they both raided the Black Sea area and forced their way to Bosporus and Cilicia (Musset, 1975).
Jutes: Jutes were people originally from what is now Jutland in modern Denmark. Some Jutes, along with some Angles, some Saxons and other Germanic peoples went to England. The Jutes are less well known than the Angles and Saxons. Jutes settled in particular in Kent and on the Isle of Wight.
Juthungians: [added] At the end of the third century AD, the Hermunduri were allied to the Alemans under a new name, the Juthungi. The northern group later merged with the Thuringians. [Source: "Tools, Weapons and Ornaments: Germanic Material Culture in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe" by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.), citing Junghans, page 125f., also Geuenich, in Fuchs, Die Alamannen, page 75.]
Langobards (Lombards): The long beards. Legend had it that the Langobards came from Scandinavia, but the evidence is a bit thin at this point on a Scandinavian origin. Paul the Deacon, writing in the 8th century, relied on Pliny the Second for this information. The precursor tribe or confederation of tribes of the Langobards was the Winnili. We do find the Langobards on the lower course of the Elbe River in Lower Saxony south of Schleswig-Holstein, then migrating to Bohemia, and then to Pannonia. In 569 AD the Langobards migrated to Italy. See "The Lombards: The Ancient Longobards" by Neil Christie (The Peoples of Europe Series) (Blackwell Publishers March 2002; previous versions 1995, 1998). Also "History of the Langobards" ("Historia Langobardorum") by Paul the Deacon (Paul Diaconus), (Univ. of Pennsylvania, 1907) which can be read online at: Northvegr Site -- Paul the Deacon's "History of the Langobards, 1907) . See Langobardisches Gräberfeld
Lemovii: a germanic tribe mentioned in Tacitus' "Germania. As Tacitus found, and as Malcolm Todd shows on page 27 of his book, "The Northern Barbarians", the Lemovii lived on the south Baltic coast of the mainland (what is today northern Germany).
Lugii
Manimi
Marcomanni: Movement of the Goths force the Marcomanni to move in 167-175 and 178-180 AD (Hodgkin, 1880). The Marcomanni in 167 AD were from Bohemia [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Schutz at page 54]. The Marcomannic Wars begin in 168 AD while Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor (161 to 180 AD)--the Goths had displaced the Marcomanni in the Roman Empire and the Marcomanni were not smiling (167-175 AD)(Hodgkin, 1880). Some of the tribes sympathizing with the Marcomanni and joining them in the fights were the Quadi, Vandals, Sarmatians, Suevi and other tribes in that region [Source of this statement: Eutropius (4th Cent AD): "The Reign of Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 CE"]. Defeated, along with the Quadi, in 172 AD by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Second Marcomannic War started in 178 AD, continuing until 180 AD. The Marcomanni were forced back to Germania.
Marobudui
Mattiaci
Menapi: listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae. The Menapians lived on both sides of the Rhine during Caesar's reign. In 55 BC, the Tencteri and Usipetes, feeling pressures from the powerful Suebians, left their land and took that of the Menapians. [Source: Caesar's Commentaries, 4-15 of book 4]
Morini: listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Naharvali
Nemetes
Nervii: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Nuitones: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Paemani: [added], listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Quadi A Germanic tribe that was part of the Hermunduren confederation, they originated from Slovakia around 167 AD. Defeated in the First Marcomannic War, along with the Marcomanni, in 172 AD by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at page 54].
Remi: [added].Listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Reudigni [added]: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Rugians [added]: a "germanic" tribe emanating from northern Poland. Malcolm Todd shows on page 27 of his book, "The Northern Barbarians", that they are living on the south Baltic coast of what is now Germany in 100 A.D., east of the Lemovii.
Saxons: (see also Chauci) The Saxon name is first mentioned by Ptolemy in about 150 AD. Ptolemy says that the Saxons were from lower Jutland and what is now Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. The "founding tribes" of the Sachsen may have included the Reudigni and Aviones, mentioned by Tacitus. The theory that the Saxons were groupings of tribes states that the subgroups of the later Saxons were very numerous, including: Agradingun, Angeron, Aringon, Astfalon, Bardongavenses, Derlingun, Firihsetan/Virsedi, Guddingen/Gotingi, Holtsaeten, Nordalbingi, Nordliudi, Nordsuavi, Norththuringun, Sahslingun, Scopingun, Scotelingun, Steoringun, Sturmarii/Sturmera, Thiadmariska, Waldseton, Waledungun, Wigmodia/Wihmodi, Uuestfali. A number of Saxons and Angles went to Britain in the 5th century AD, although Ammianus Marcellinus records Saxon attacks on Britain in about 365 AD and the mid-fifth-century Gallic Chronicle mentions another attack in 410 AD, with the fall of Britain to the Saxons in 441 AD. For isotope analysis of Anglo-Saxons, http://www.dur.ac.uk/p.d.budd/isogeochem/west_hes.html. We do know that the Saxons joined up with the Franks to help destroy the Turingii tribe at the River Unstrut in 531 AD ("Die Germanen: Geschichte und Kultur der germanischen Staemme in Mitteleuropa" een handbuch in zwei Baenden by Bruno Krueger(1976, 1986, 1988)). Any archaeological excavations of this massacre site?. The tomb of an East Saxon king, believed to date from the early 7th century, has been discovered at Priory Crescent, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. One story states that the burial chamber is almost certainly that of either King Saeberht or Sigeberht. Saeberht was England's second Christian king. He died circa 617 AD. This find rivals the Sutton Hoo ship burial in Suffolk, discovered in 1939.
Semnones: a fourth century AD east Elbian tribe, joined the Alemans in southwest Germany. Were the Semnones the core of the Alemans? Question proposed in "Tools, Weapons and Ornaments: Germanic Material Culture in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe" by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.), citing: see "Sueben-Alamannen und Rom, Die Anfaenge der schwaebisch-alemannischen Geschichte" by S. Junghans (Stuttgart, 1986), page 125. Cf. Wolfram and Schwarcz at page 139.
Sitones
Suarines: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Suebi: The Suebian federation was a federation of germanic tribes which consisted, among others, of the Marcomanni, Semnones, and the Hermunduri (precursor to the Thuringii). [Source: The Germanic Realms in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750" by Herbert Schutz (2000) at page 401]
Suiones: a germanic tribe(s) which was the basis of the ancient Swedes. The name comes from Tacitus' work, "Germania". Jordanes called them "Suehans" (and Suetidi). Had fine horses.
Sugambri: during early Roman times lived in the area of the Ruhr and Lippe Rivers. Defeated by the Roman, Drusus, around 12 BC. When Drusus died, his brother Tiberius attacked the Sugambri in 9 and 8 BC and deported them to the west bank of the Rhine, now calling them the Cugerni. A Roman military base was discovered in Sugambri territory by archaeologists near Oberaden, Germany, dated autumn 11 BCE.
Sunici/Sinuci: The Sunici or Sinuci were a Germanic tribe who lived on the shores of the Rhine in Lower Germany. They were mentioned in The Notitia Dignitatum.
Tencteri: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Teutons, Teutonii: a germanic/celtic tribe whose origins are unsure, whether Jutland or somewhere near the North Sea. They joined the Cimbri and Tiguroni to attack Italy. Annhilated by Rome circa 102 BC at Aquae Sextiae, located in southern Gaul (present day Aix-en-Provence).[see Cimbri, above, for sources.] Some state that the Teutones were Celts from the area of modern Switzerland, equating them to a tribe called Toutones.
Tiguronii: [added] The Tiguronii had joined the Cimbri and Teutonii in attacking Italy circa 101 BC. by an ill-advised 3 prong attack. As the Romans destroyed both the Teutonii first in 102 BC, then the Cimbri in 101 BC, the Tiguronii fled.
Trevi/Treveri: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Triboci
Tudri
Tungri/Tongri [added]: The Tungri tribe of eastern Belgica inhabited the western fringes of the Arduinna Silva, in Brabant and Hainaut districts of Belgium. The capital was Atuatuca Tungrorum, now called Tongres or Tongeren in Belgium. The Tungri tribe was mentioned in The Notitia Dignitatum, an early 5th century AD document, in which was transcribed every military and governmental post in the late Roman empire. The document mentions the Tribune of the First Cohort of Tungri at Vercovicium (also known as Housesteads in Northumberland). There was also a Second Cohort of Tungri as well, both cohorts 1000 men strong. See also Eburoni above.
Turingii/Thuringii [added]: The name of the Thuringians (Doringe) is first recorded around 400 AD from a Roman veterinarian named ____. [Source: "Gesellschaft und Kunst der Germanen--Die Thueringer und ihre Welt" by Guenter Behm-Blanke (Verlag der Kunst, Dresden 1973)at 79ff; "Die Thueringer" by Berthold Schmidt, in "Die Germanen", volume II, editor Bruno Krueger (1978); citing Krueger and Behm-Blancke is "The Germanic Realms in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750" by Herbert Schutz (2000, page 400) and "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz (2001, Brill Publ.)]. The Turingii tribe, a germanic tribe, was from the Elbe and Saale River areas in middle Germany. The Turingii/Thuringii were excellent horsemen, either evidencing relations to the steppe people of the East or that the Turingii confederation included people that migrated to their area from the steppes. Their practice of inhumation (inhumation burials rather than cremation) and horse burials indicates a relationship with the East or that the confederation included those from the East--probably both. The Turingii included members of other tribes that were part of the Chernyakhovsk culture.
Some writers state that the Turingii emigrated from Scandza (Scandinavia), specifically from the Oslo Gulf of Norway to Jutland (Denmark), but the current majority view is that they were not. Michel Rouche states that some of the Turingii also crossed to the West side of the Rhine, migrating all the way to the Coal Forest [present day Kempen ("Kampines"), Belgium]. This "western" Turingii kingdom was just east/northeast of the Franks Gaul in the 400’s to 500’s AD in what is now Belgium and Netherlands and part of northern Germany. [Source: Michel Rouche in "Clovis"].
The Turingii formed out of the Hermundurii at the latest in the 4th century, and also comprised of different Germanic tribes, whereby probably the Anglii and Warnii formed the principal part [Note: the archaeological evidence points to some Lombards (female grave jewelry), Ostrogoths (female grave jewelry), Alemans as well, and Hunnish influence where some Germanic and Mongol female skulls had deformations, suggesting Hunnish wives, hostages or slaves following the defeat of the Huns--"Tools, Weapons...by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.) at pages 34, 35 citing Behm-Blancke page 46f]. Prinz also mentions the Hermunduren, an earlier germanic tribe around the Elbe River before the advent of the Turingii, as a probability as well (Note: although the Turingii sprung from the Hermunduri). Source: "Grundlagen und Anfange: Deutschland bis 1056" by Friedrich Prinz (1985), pages 79-8. Lucien Mussett talks about the groupings of tribes, the Alamans, then the Turingii taking over from the Hermunduri, then the next grouping became the Bavarians. Source: “The Germanic Invasions” by Lucien Musset (1975), page 12. The Turingii were subjugated by the Franks in the 6th century, 531-534 AD, with the help of the Saxons. [Source: "Tools, Weapons..." by Herbert Schutz (2001 Brill Publ.)]. For much more on the Turingii tribe on this site, see Duerinck's Turingii Portal
Ubii: A germanic tribe who in 55 BC allied themselves with Rome and were transferred from the east side of the Rhine River to the west side.
Usipetes: See Duerinck's Celtic Tribes Portal
Vandals: The Vandals were part of the Przeworsk culture, emanating from the Silesia area of Poland (and not from Vendsyssel in Jutland). Vandals left their homeland and ravaged Gaul in 406 A.D. with their King Gunderic. They then attacked Spain in 409 A.D. The Suebi, also known as the Alamanni, followed the Vandals and seized Galicia. King Gunderic died, succeeded by Gaiseric, then Huneric who died in 484 A.D., then Trasamund in 496 A.D. The Vandals left Spain for Africa and Mauretonia. The Alamanni followed them as far as Tangiers. After Trasamund came King Childeric in 523 A.D. Geilamir deposed Childeric in 530 A.D. The Vandals fought the Romans in battle and lost (fought battles in 533 and 534, ending the Kingdom of the Vandals.). [Source: Gregory of Tours]
Vangiones: The Vangiones were a Belgic tribe from the upper Rhine. They are mentioned in The Notitia Dignatatum, a 5th century document listing army and governmental units of the Romans.
Varini: first mentioned by Tacitus in his "Germania": "After them (the Langobards) come the Reudigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Nuitones, all of them safe behind ramparts of rivers and woods. There is nothing noteworthy about these tribes individually, but they share a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth."
Velocasses: [added]listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Veromandui: [added] listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar; see Belgae.
Warnii: a germanic tribe that lived in Schleswig-Holstein area of northern Germany. The Warnians had connections with the Anglii and Turingii and were represented in the 9th century Thuringian law called "Lex Angliorum et Werinorum, hoc est, Thuringorum" (i.e. they had a legal status among the Thuringians). One of the kings of the Warnii was King Hermegisel.

Pliny the Elder, also known as Gaius Plinius Secundus, in his "Natural History" (37 books completed in 77 AD) (at 2.17.105), claims that Armorica was the older name for Aquitaine, stating Armorica's southern boundary extended to the Pyrenees. Pliny lists the following Celtic tribes as living in the Brittany peninsula: the Aedui and Carnuteni as having treaties with Rome; the Neldi and Secusiani as having some measure of independence; and the Boii, Senones, Aulerci (both the Eburovices and Cenomani), the Parisii, Tricases, Andicavi, Viducasses, Bodiocasses, Venelli, Coriosvelites, Diablinti, Rhedones, Turones, and the Atseui. [Kevin: other Celtic tribes included the Boii and Helvetii
].

"Getica": written by Jordanes, a Goth, about 550 AD at Constantinople. Apparently it was an abridged summary of Cassiodorus' "Gothic History" which is a lost work. Cassiodorus' work was tainted with political ideologies, so too, Getica. See "The Goths" by Peter Heather (1996) who read Hachmann's earlier work. Disputing Jordanes, the Goth/Gepid culture originated from northern Continental Europe rather than from southern Sweden (Heather 1996, page 14). Archaeological evidence demonstrates that the Goths did migrate from northeastern Europe to Scythia. [Source: Heather].

Many tribes came from Scandza, territory of present day Scandinavia, as told in "Getica", or "The Origin and Deeds of the Goths", by Jordanes, translated by Charles C. Mierow. The tribes are as follows: Adogit, the northernmost tribe; the Screrefennae; the Suehans, who, like the Thuringians, have splendid horses; then come the Theustes, Vagoth, Bergio, Hallin, Liothida. All their habitations are in one level and fertile region and are therefore attacked by other tribes. Also have the Ahelmil, Finnaithae, Fervir and Gauthigoth, the Mixi, Evagre, and Otingis, the Ostrogoths, Raumarici, Aeragnaricii, "and the most gentle Finns, milder than all the inhabitants of Scandza. Like them are the Vinovilith also. The Suetidi are of this stock and excel the rest in stature. However, the Dani, who trace their origin to the same stock, drove from their homes the Heruli, who lay claim to preëminence among all the nations of Scandza for their tallness. Furthermore there are in the same neighborhood the Grannii, Augandzi, Eunixi, Taetel, Rugi, Arochi and Ranii, over whom Roduulf was king not many years ago. But he despised his own kingdom and fled to the embrace of Theodoric, king of the Goths, finding there what he desired. All these nations surpassed the Germans in size and spirit, and fought with the cruelty of wild beasts."

BIBLIOGRAPHY

--"The Prehistory of Germanic Europe by Herbert Schutz" (Yale Univ. Press, 1983) ASIN: 0300028636
--"Tools, Weapons and Ornaments: Germanic Material Culture in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750" by Herbert Schutz (Brill Publishing, 2001) ISBN: 9004122982
--"The Germanic Realms in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe 400-750" by Herbert Schutz (Peter Lang Publishing, 2000) ISBN 0820449652
--"The Romans in Central Europe" by Herbert Schutz (Yale Univ Press, 1985) ASIN: 0300032005.
--"Die Germanen: Geschichte und Kultur der germanischen Staemme in Mitteleuropa" by Bruno Krueger (editor) (Akademie-Verlag 1983, Berlin) 2 volumes (zwei banden), 568 pages, ISBN 3050001240; Veroeffentlichugen des Zentralinstituts fuer alte Geschichte und Archaeologie.
--"Gesellschaft und Kunst der Germanen--Die Thueringer und ihre Welt" by Guenter Behm-Blanke (Verlag der Kunst, Dresden 1973)
--"The Religion of the Ancient Celts" by J.A. MacCulloch (1st ed. 1911)
--"The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar, translated by W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn (online)

ONSITE LINKS

Back to Germanic & Celtic Tribes Portal

Celtic Tribes Portal

Turingii Tribe Portal

Duerinck's History of the Franks

Goths Tribe

Tacitus' Germania

Ptolemy's Geographia

De Excidio Thuringiae

OFFSITE LINKS

Barbarian timeline and scorecard--by tribe

Early Germanic Laws ("1911 Edition Encyclopedia")

M.I.T.'s Internet Classics Archive ("The Gallic Wars" by Julius Caesar)

Rutgers University's Concordance on De Bello Gallico by Julius Caesar (in Latin--helps when searching for what book a tribe is mentioned in, then go to MIT's archive URL above)

Tompsett's Directory of Royal Genealogical Data (genealogical listings)

Bruce R. Gordon's Regnal Chronologies (chronological lists, good for succession)

The Labyrinth (Resources for Medieval Studies: Georgetown University)

Florilegium (Canadian annual journal devoted to the ancient and medieval cultures of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East)

Yahoo Germanic-L List (Early Germanic Peoples from Prehistory to circa 800 AD)

Yahoo Anglii List (early English history on the continent and in Britain; not just the Angles but also the Saxons, Jutes, Frisians and others)

Yahoo Gothic-L List (discussions must relate to the Gothic tribes)

Root sweb Medieval Genealogy Message Board

GenForum Medieval Forum Message Board

Ancient Worlds Boards

Archaeological Resource Guide for Europe

ArchNet (World Wide Web Virtual Library for Archaeology)

Anthro.Net (Anthropology on the World Wide Web)

Anthro.Net (Roman History)

The History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (by Edward Gibbon; etext)

"Getica", or "The Origin and Deeds of the Goths" (by Jordanes, translated by Charles C. Mierow; etext). Jordanes wrote this summary of Cassiodorus' much longer treatment (a lost work) of the history of the Goths).

European medieval maps (excellent maps 530, 565, 600 A.D.)

"Heimskringla" or "The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway" [by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1179 - 1241) (Online Medieval and Classical Library Release #15b)]

Ptolemy's Geographia Book 4

Ptolemy's Geographia Book 5

Ptolemy's Geographia Book 6 (Gaul)

Ptolemy's Geographia Book 7 (Germania)

Ptolemy's Geographia Book 8 (Danube Provinces)

Host Kingdom's German Tribes and Rulers

Roman's Online, tribes and links galore

Roman Place Names

Royalty

WWW Virtual Library History Index for Medieval Europe

DNA LINKS

Dr. J. Douglas McDonald's maps of "Y Haplogroups of the World", "Y Haplogroups of Europe", and "mtDNA Haplogroups of the World" (Thank you!)

Y Chromosone Evidence for Anglo Saxon Mass Migration (2002) (pdf file)

Y Chromosone Census of the British Isles (pdf file)

Alu Insertion Polymorphisms and the Genetic Structure of Human Populations from the Caucasus (Nasidze, Stoneking, et al.)

mtDNA and the Islands of the North Atlantic: Estimating the Proportions of Norse and Gaelic Ancestry (Helgason, et al.)

Family Tree DNA Library (library of research papers)

BOOKS

My wish list:
--The Carolingians in Central Europe, Their History, Arts, and Architecture: A Cultural History of Central Europe, 750-900 by Herbert Schutz (Brill Publishing, 2004) ISBN: 9004131493
--"Die Germanen: Mythos, Geschichte, Kultur, Archäologie" by Bruno Krüger, Dr. Hans-Jürgen Beier" (Published Langenweissbach: Beier & Beran, 2003), 239 p.: ill., maps, ISBN: 3930036541. This 2003 book is at least half the size of the original 2 volumes, so while hopefully there is updated information, you probably would not get all the charts and maps in the original 2 volumes.
--"Die Schlacht im Teutoburger Wald" by Bruno Krüger, Dr. Hans-Jürgen Beier (Berlin, Verlag der Wissenschaften 1986). ISBN 3326001371.
--"Die späte Völkerwanderungszeit in Mitteldeutschland" by Berthold Schmidt. Katalog (Nord- und Ostteil). Mit 40 Textabbildungen, 204 Tafeln und 2 Beilagen. ["The late migration of people in Central Germany". Catalog (north and East part). With 40 text illustrations, 204 boards and 2 supplements]
--"Die späte Völkerwanderungszeit in Mitteldeutschland" by Berthold Schmidt (1961). Katalog (Südteil). Mit 14 Textabbildungen, 142 Tafeln und 2 Beilagen. ["The late migration of people in Central Germany". Catalog (south part). With 14 text illustrations, 142 boards and 2 supplements]
--"Römische Kaiserzeit. Die münzdatierten Grabfunde der spätrömischen Kaiserzeit im Mittelelbe-Saale-Gebiet" by Berthold Schmidt (1982)
--"The Encyclopedia of World History; Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged" by Peter N. Stearns [Sixth Edition, Houghton Miffilin Company, 2001].
--"The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume 1, C. 500 - C. 700" edited by Paul Fouracre (Oxford University Press, 1998)
"The Illyrians" by John Wilkes (Blackwell Publishers, 1992) ISBN: 0631198075
"Dalmatia" by John Wilkes (1969)
--Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln zur europäischen Geschichte, Volume III, Europäiche Kaiser-, Königs- und Fürstenhäuser, Ergänzungsband [Andreas Thiele, R. G. Fischer Verlag, Second Edition, 2001][has genealogies for the German kingdoms]
--Kingdoms of Europe, by Gene Gurney [Crown Publishers, New York, 1982].
--Kings & Queens of Europe, compiled by Anne Tauté [University of North Carolina Press, 1989]
Belgae, Germanic or Celtic?:
Helmut Birkhan, Germanen und Kelten bis zum Ausgang der Römerzeit. Sitzungsberichte der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften (Wien 1970).
Rolf Hachmann, Völker zwischen Germanen und Kelten (1962)

RESEARCH PAPERS

1. "Ein Gräberfeld der Spätlatènezeit und der frührömischen Kaiserzeit bei Schkopau, Kr. Merseburg." Schmidt, Berthold; Nitzschke, Waldemar, 1989. [A grave field of the La Tene and the early Roman era by Schkopau]
2. "Studien zur Sachsenforschung No. 13" by Berthold Schmidt (1999). [Saxon research studies]

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