How would you describe the “barbarians”– enemies or allies, invaders or settlers?

Question

"Barbarians", as it was applied in the Roman world of late antiquity.

Barbarian, was a term applied by the greeks to the foreigner, or one who did not share a recognised culture.

Personally, i tend to lean towards, enemies, as they did invade Rome.

However, I think the realtionship was a lot deeper than this.

Barbarian, was a term applied by the greeks to the foreigner, or one who did not share a recognised culture.

Personally, i tend to lean towards, enemies, as they did invade Rome. There is also evidence to suggest that they were allies, as they were allowed to settle within the Roman boarder.

Answer 1

My granny calls me a barbarian every time i get a new tattoo or piercing... LOL

Answer 2

Most of the cultures of the ancient world were almost fanatically nationalistic, so anyone they termed a "barbarian" would have been looked upon with suspicion. I've read somewhere that the term barbarian came from the way that the Romans heard the foreigners' language. The word barbarian,( barbaros in Latin) imitated the sound of animals; in this case sheep. To the Romans anything but their own language sounded like baa, baa, baa, barbarian. See?

Answer 3

I would probably see them as enemies/hazardous settlers. Imagine how we viewed the Soviets in the 80s or North korea right now. The barbarians to the Romans were always a potential threat. Sometimes the Romans made deals with them though. so I would describe the barbarians as someone we wouldn't like but still from time to time wouldn't mind striking a compromise with.

Also it depends on what barbarians you are refering to. If it was a barbarian like Attila the hun or the carthaginians, then they would more over be like your greatest threat like an invader from mars.

Answer 4

'barbarians' were allowed to settle to some extent within the roman empire and also were an increasing part of the roman legions... there were just too few roman citizens left to fill up the ranks of the increasing number of legions.

this also caused some problems (when it came to the question of succession of the imperator)

also they were enemies and invaders, most notable the various germanic tribes pushed to the west and south fearing invasion by the huns.

so at the end barbarians turned out as enemies and invaders, plundered rome etc. and contributed to the collapse of the western roman empire.

however one should not throw all barbarians in one pot ...

Answer 5

A bit of advice - you have to be careful with the word barbarian.

When its applied to the Roman experience with Germanic tribes, the Romans held always in contempt those that were not civilised - ie Latin or Greek.

But the notion of barbarian - especially in Late Antiquity is problematic. As Rome expanded her borders and made the Germanic tribes into either federati - or allies in order to conquer another Germanic tribe, Rome began to incorporate germans into the Roman legions. Archaeolgoy reveals how trade flourished between Romans and the germanic tribes.

By the 4th Century A.D, Germanic tribes had come to be Roman citizens. As for the notion of Barbarian tribes 'invading' the Roman Empire - the invasions of Germanic tribes as Alaric and Atilla were made when Roman Emperors could no longer afford to pay them for their services.

The Last Roman Emperor in the West - Odoacer himself was from the Germanic tribes. And Germanic leaders such as Clovis of the Franks and Theodoric of the Ostrogoths all adopted Roman laws and customs.

We could even argue the point - when did the Roman Empire really cease? Or did it?

Answer 6

Civilized societies called them barbarians because they did not understand their rough languages and they likened the sound to that of sheep (baa baa), hence the word "barbarian."

The barbarians slaughtered and plundered their way through the late Roman Empire, which paved the way for the degradation of Roman culture and civilization and became the start of the Dark or Middle Ages. Hence, I would consider them enemies to the Roman state and invaders, who would eventually become settlers by necessity. If they weren't so "barbaric", perhaps the Middle Ages wouldn't have been so dark.

Answer 7

If there be any barbarians Missy beyond the grand roman wall rest assured Missy Charlie will protect you. A enemy of Sandy is a enemy of mine stand close young lassy and I will protect you!!!
ha ha
no I would though really

Answer 8

Barbarians means foreigners; strange people and it is not ally with the level of culture.

Answer 9

"Barbarians" is Summer term, derives from "bala-bala" which means not-understandable-language. Ancient Hellen tribes were on different cultural level, but Ahaians and Ionians never named Dorians as barbarians, cause of their same language. Opposite of that, Hellens named Macedonians as barbarians, cause of their complete different language.

Answer 10

Anyone who was not Roman period was considered a barbarians.