Roman Reflections: Iron Age to Viking Age in Northern Europe

Description

Roman Reflections uses a series of detailed and deeply researched case studies to explore how Roman society connected with and influenced Northern Europe during the Iron and Viking Ages. In an original way, the book brings late prehistoric Denmark – best known for its so-called ‘bog bodies’ – into a world dominated by textual histories, principally that of Tacitus. The studies include a new examination of the bog-bodies of the late first millennium BC, a classical archaeological puzzle: men, women and children murdered yet respected in death and adorned with items of fine clothing. A second essay challenges traditionally held ideas about the Cimbri by exploring the textual and archaeological evidence, including the startling and famous European artefact, the Gundestrup silver cauldron. The other studies comprise an archaeologically founded modernist discussion of the ethnography of Tacitus’ Germania, in particular considering the character of ancient Germanic Bronze and Iron Age societies; a linguistic exploration of the Latin inheritance in northern European names and places, much of which seems to have been invented by the Romans; and an analysis of the origins of the Danes. Throughout, traditional sources and history are presented in conjunction with new archaeological observations and interpretations. In an accessible way, Roman Reflections assesses Denmark's part on a larger stage, showing how foundations were laid for its zenith in Viking times. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents List of Figures List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements 1. Hostages and Bog Bodies: New Interpretations Introduction Interpretations The bog bodies Classical antiquity Conclusions Bibliography 2. The Cimbri: Death · Resurrection · Death Celts to Germans Roman expansion Resurrection of the Cimbri Modern propaganda The myth of the Goths Bibliography 3. Nations and Alliances: The Ethnography of Tacitus’ Germania Chiefdoms once more Germanic society according to Tacitus Bronze Age brothers The archaeology of brotherhood and cooperation The Danish farm Central Europe Conclusions Bibliography 4. Romans in the North: Deconstruction of Names and Identities Pytheas and Pliny Pomponius Mela Names and words Tacitus’ Germania Ptolemy The sixth century Danes Conclusions Notes Bibliography 5. Origins of the Danes: From Tacitus to King Harald Tacitus’ Germania and the earlier Roman Empire The later Roman Empire: Procopius and Jordanes Towards the Viking Age Note Bibliography 6. Epilogue: The First Millennium AD in Denmark: Words and Things Note Index