answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The word barbarian came into English from medieval latin, (Barbarinus) this word came from ancient Greek (BapBapoc) The ancient Greeks used the word liberally and generally to describe people or tribes that did not speak Greek. The Greeks used the term as they encountered different cultures including the Egyptians, Persians, Indians, Celts, Germans, Phoenicians, Etruscans and Carthaginians.

The term has also ben used historically to describe the Vikings, Mongols and the Goths. The "Normans" also were commonly called barbarians during their invasion of England. Idiomatic usage of the term barbarian (brutal, cruel, warlike, insensitive), would put such people as Hitler and Stalin as being Barbaric.

Attila the Hun is one of the best-known barbarians. Adolf Hitler, although he was a despicable man, was not a barbarian. With regard to the alleged "idiomatic usage" of the term "barbarian" (brutal, cruel, warlike, insensitive), some think it is correct to classify Adolf Hitler as a barbarian, but that would be inaccurate.

As Merriam-Webster defines "barbarian" or "barbarous":

1 : of or relating to a land, culture, or people alien and usually believed to be inferior to another land, culture, or people.

2 : lacking refinement, learning, or artistic or literary culture.

Germany in the 1930s was anything but lacking in refinement, learning, or artistic or literary culture, and the Germans and German culture and technlogy were hardly believed to be inferior. They were ahead of the United States and most other countries at the start of WWII in science.

Call Hitler and the Nazis evil, genocidal, racist murdering miscreants. But don't confuse evil with barbarism. They key connotation you should come away with from the word barbarian is an inferiority (of culture) compared to the surrounding cultures. As such, Attila, Odoacer, Genseric, Vercingetorix, Boadicea, and Theodoric are well-known barbarian leaders who challenged the (culturally and scientifically superior) Roman Empire. One could also call Genghis Khan and the Mongol khans barbarians.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

who was a barbarian to the Romans? The answer is: the Visigoths (west goths) and the Ostrogoth (east goth). they were the first to be.

hope this help.

What group of barbarians were difficult for the Romans to conquer

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Who was a barbarian to the Romans?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about History of Western Civilization
Related questions

Someone who Romans considered primitive and uncivilized was called a?

Barbarian. they called everyone a barbarian if they weren't roman.


What groups did the Romans consider to be uncivilized?

barbarian


Are Romans European?

Romans are Europeans (Italy). But not all Europeans are Romans. The current Europe is a mix of Barbarian Invasion and Romans. And the current European culture is an inheritance of Romans, Greeks and other tribes such as Goths, Vandals and etc. See Barbarian Invasion of Roman Empire for further details.


What did the Romans call anyone outside the empire who did not share in the Greek or Roman cultures?

Barbarian


Were vikings and barbarian alike?

A barbarian is a person who isnt civilized, according to romans and greeks, all except romans, greek and maybe egyptians were barbarians. The vikings were germanic warriors from far away who wanted to plunder, they were barbarians in the eyes of europe


What other group did Romans view as gods?

The Romans only worshipped their gods and their Emperor as gods. The word barbarian means outsider in Roman; they looked down upon outsiders.


Are ancient Kurds Barbarians?

The word "barbarian" is not an intrinsic chracteristic of any group; it is how they are viewed by others. The word "barbarian" comes from the fact that Romans thought that any language that they did not understand sounded like "bar bar, bar bar bar..." Ancient Kurds were not civilized, but the term barbarian is not helpful with this.


Did the Romans interact with the barbarians?

The word barbarian is Greek for "the others" and the Romans looked at them that way. They saw them as crude, lawless , heathens. They disliked them immensely.


When did the Romans stop using hadrians wall?

The Romans abandoned the wall by about 410AD, and withdrew from England. There were various reasons, among which were; Increased Barbarian invasions, military coups and econimic decline.


Is Roman Catholic the same as Roman religion?

No, Though the Romans eventually became christian. They are different. The Romans religion was made up of borrowed gods from the kingdoms they conquered the conquered ,accept barbarian.


What did the barbarian leader say to the Romans in Gladiator?

Ihr Seid verfluchte hunde! (you are damned dogs!)


What is the meaning of barbarian?

barbarian was supposed to be anyone besides a roman in the ancient times. the Romans thought that the Gauls (French) Britons (British) and other barbarians that there language sounded like BAR BAR BAR! so they called them barbarians. (i am a Rome expert)