Germanic Peoples, Roman Culture, and Art: A Concise View

Germanic Peoples and the Roman Empire

Germanic peoples: The Romans called barbarians those who lived outside the borders of the empire, to the north of the rivers Danube and Rhine. These were the Germans in various groups such as Saxons, Swabians, Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, etc., originating from Denmark and Scandinavia. They entered the empire from the 3rd century AD, sometimes peacefully, other times through conflict. In the 5th century AD, after the Huns (who came to Europe from the Asian steppe led by Attila) attacked, the Germans invaded the Roman Empire in turn. The Germanic chieftain Odoacer of the Heruli people deposed the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire withstood invasions and endured.

The Germans created kingdoms: Franks in the North of Gaul, Visigoths in Hispania, Ostrogoths in Italy, Vandals in North Africa. These Germanic realms adapted the language and culture and converted to Roman Christianity.

Roman Culture

Latin: The language of Rome, from which many languages descended. The Romans continued Greek learning, introducing their own contributions, giving rise to classical culture, highlighted in:

• Philosophy: Seneca & Cicero
• Literature: Virgil (the Aeneid)
• History: Julius Caesar and Titus Livy

They created the law that regulated the rules and laws of everyday life of people (private law) or individuals & state (public law).

Religion: Polytheists conducted rites to gain the favor of the gods. They worshiped the cult of the household gods and ancestors (lares, household gods, and manes). They adapted the Greek gods to the Romans: Zeus (Jupiter), Athena (Minerva), Aphrodite (Venus), Poseidon (Neptune), and the Capitoline Triad formed by Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. From 1 AD, the cult of the emperor emerged.

Christianity

In Palestine, conquered by Rome, the religion of Judaism awaited the Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth preached that there was only one God and that we are all equal before Him, advocating respect & love for one's neighbor and the resurrection. Jesus was jailed and crucified. The disciples of Jesus preached Christianity and were called Christians. Roman emperors persecuted Christians because they did not worship the Emperor. Many died, including Peter & Paul.

The Edict of Milan: In 313 AD, Constantine I granted religious freedom, ending the persecution of Christians. In 380 AD, Theodosius made Christianity the official religion.

Roman Art and Architecture

Art: was influenced by Greek and Etruscan styles. They adopted the arch and vaulted arch from the Mesopotamians. Public spaces were turned into works of art, using stone and mortar. Notable examples include:

• Aqueducts (to conduct water)
• Sewer networks
• Roads
• Bridges
• Lighthouses and ports

Temples followed the Greek model, and civilian buildings served for leisure and other activities:

• Baths: public toilets
• Basilicas: buildings for business, administration of justice, or meeting centers
• Theaters: performances
• Amphitheaters: shows with gladiators and wild beasts
• Circuses: chariot races

The Romans devised the Arc de Triomphe and the column to narrate events, such as in Rome. Sculpture was modeled after Greek styles, and the Romans introduced the portrait. Houses and civilian buildings were decorated with fresco painting and mosaic walls and floors.