World History
History of Germany. This is a general overview to the history of Germany.
From the site:
From their first appearance in the history of the world the Germans represented the principle of unchecked individualism, as opposed to the Roman principle of an all-embracing authority. German history in the Middle Ages was strongly influenced by two opposing principles: universalism and individualism. After Arminius had fought for German freedom in the Teutoburg Forest the idea that the race was entitled to be independent gradually became a powerful factor in its historical development. This conception first took form when the Germanic states grew out of the Roman Empire. Even Theodoric the Great thought of uniting the discordant barbarian countries with the aid of the leges gentium into a great confederation of the Mediterranean. Although in these Mediterranean countries the Roman principle finally prevailed, being that of a more advanced civilization, still the individualistic forces which contributed to found these states were not wasted. By them the world-embracing empire of Rome was overthrown and the way prepared for the national principle. It was not until after the fall of the Western Empire that a great Frankish kingdom became possible and the Franks, no longer held in check by the Roman Empire, were able to draw together the tribes of the old Teutonic stock and to lay the foundation of a German empire. Before this the Germanic tribes had been continually at variance; no tie bound them together; even the common language failed to produce unity. On the other hand, the so-called Lautverschiebung, or shifting of the consonants, in German, separated the North and South Germans. Nor was German mythology a source of union, for the tribal centres of worship rather increased the already existing particularism. The Germans had not even a common name. Since the eighth century most probably the designations Franks and Frankish extended beyond the boundaries of the Frankish tribe. It was not, however, until the ninth century that the expression theodisk (later German Deutsch), signifying "popular," or "belonging to people" made its appearance and a great stretch of time divided this beginning from the use of the word as a name of the nation.
- German Battlefield Yields Roman Surprises
I came across ancient history in the news today. CNN has an article titled German battlefield yields Roman surprises. The unsigned article covers the finding of relics from a 3rd century battle between Romans and barbarians in Northern Germany. Why is...
- History Of Luxembourg
History of Luxembourg. This is a brief history of the European country of Luxembourg. It may be small but it has been a member of NATO since the beginning. It also survived two German occupations during the World Wars. The Encyclopædia Britannica notes,...
- Marcus Aurelius And Barbarian Immigration In The Second Century Roman Empire
Immigration is of course an old issue. The history of mankind is a story of people moving from one area to another. And often, the people living in an area are not too happy to see newcomers arrive. The was the case in the second century Roman Empire....
- History Of Belgium
History of Belgium. This is a short piece which looks at the history of Belgium. From the site: Belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. However, the Belgae were forced...
- Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire. This is a nice essay on the history of the Eastern Roman Empire. It is from Wikinfo. From the site: The Byzantine Empire or Eastern Roman Empire was the eastern section of the Roman Empire which remained in existence after the...
World History
History of Germany
History of Germany. This is a general overview to the history of Germany.
From the site:
From their first appearance in the history of the world the Germans represented the principle of unchecked individualism, as opposed to the Roman principle of an all-embracing authority. German history in the Middle Ages was strongly influenced by two opposing principles: universalism and individualism. After Arminius had fought for German freedom in the Teutoburg Forest the idea that the race was entitled to be independent gradually became a powerful factor in its historical development. This conception first took form when the Germanic states grew out of the Roman Empire. Even Theodoric the Great thought of uniting the discordant barbarian countries with the aid of the leges gentium into a great confederation of the Mediterranean. Although in these Mediterranean countries the Roman principle finally prevailed, being that of a more advanced civilization, still the individualistic forces which contributed to found these states were not wasted. By them the world-embracing empire of Rome was overthrown and the way prepared for the national principle. It was not until after the fall of the Western Empire that a great Frankish kingdom became possible and the Franks, no longer held in check by the Roman Empire, were able to draw together the tribes of the old Teutonic stock and to lay the foundation of a German empire. Before this the Germanic tribes had been continually at variance; no tie bound them together; even the common language failed to produce unity. On the other hand, the so-called Lautverschiebung, or shifting of the consonants, in German, separated the North and South Germans. Nor was German mythology a source of union, for the tribal centres of worship rather increased the already existing particularism. The Germans had not even a common name. Since the eighth century most probably the designations Franks and Frankish extended beyond the boundaries of the Frankish tribe. It was not, however, until the ninth century that the expression theodisk (later German Deutsch), signifying "popular," or "belonging to people" made its appearance and a great stretch of time divided this beginning from the use of the word as a name of the nation.
- German Battlefield Yields Roman Surprises
I came across ancient history in the news today. CNN has an article titled German battlefield yields Roman surprises. The unsigned article covers the finding of relics from a 3rd century battle between Romans and barbarians in Northern Germany. Why is...
- History Of Luxembourg
History of Luxembourg. This is a brief history of the European country of Luxembourg. It may be small but it has been a member of NATO since the beginning. It also survived two German occupations during the World Wars. The Encyclopædia Britannica notes,...
- Marcus Aurelius And Barbarian Immigration In The Second Century Roman Empire
Immigration is of course an old issue. The history of mankind is a story of people moving from one area to another. And often, the people living in an area are not too happy to see newcomers arrive. The was the case in the second century Roman Empire....
- History Of Belgium
History of Belgium. This is a short piece which looks at the history of Belgium. From the site: Belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. However, the Belgae were forced...
- Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire. This is a nice essay on the history of the Eastern Roman Empire. It is from Wikinfo. From the site: The Byzantine Empire or Eastern Roman Empire was the eastern section of the Roman Empire which remained in existence after the...