Chapter
17: The Germans
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Germans (G) lived in
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G moved S for the better climate
and wanted to live in peace within RE.
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RE eventually decided to let G in.
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Some G adopted RE religion and customs.
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G were mainly farmers (barley, wheat, rye, beans, & peas) and
cattle herders who lived in villages.
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Shared houses with animals.
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Most farm work done by women, children, and slaves.
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G dressed simply.
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Believed hospitality was very important and in having feasts.
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Spoke language that became modern German and adapted Lain alphabet.
Warriors
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G men were warriors who spent most of time hunting or fighting.
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Clans (groups based on family
ties) were very important.
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Loyalty was held to chieftain (leader of a clan).
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G warriors fought hard and made surprise attacks on enemies.
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Religion of G encouraged warfare.
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Main god was called Wodan who was in charge of war and other things.
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Another of their gods was Thor the god of thunder.
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G expected men to win or die in battle.
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If they died in battle G believed they would feast and live forever in
Laws
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G believed laws came from the people not from their leaders.
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Laws were memorized and passed down over generations.
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G tried to avoid blood feuds (quarrels in which the families of
original fighters seek revenge) by setting up courts.
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Courts had witnesses who helped defendants called oath-takers.
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Oath-takers swore the accused was telling the truth and G believed
oath-takers would be punished by gods if they lied.
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If no oath-takers available then accused guilt or innocence was
determined by ordeal (severe test).
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Punishments imposed by courts could be physical or wergeld (fines).
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G law treated people differently according to their wealth and
position.
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Germanic group called Goths were divided into Ostrogoths (E. Goths) and
Visigoths (W. Goths).
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Both groups were attacked by Attila and the Huns and tried to get
protection from RE.
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RE agreed if the Goths promised loyalty to RE and to give up weapons.
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W. Goths did not like way RE treated them by charging high food prices
and kidnapping their women so they rebelled.
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W. Goths defeated RE at Battle of Adrianople and later captured and
looted the city
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Another group called the Vandals later attacked and burned
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By 476 AD G were choosing the leaders of the RE.
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After 550 BC the RE was gone and in its place were 6 major and several
minor G kingdoms.