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Osprey Warrior #17
Germanic Warrior AD 236–568
The 3rd to the 6th centuries saw the collapse of the classical Mediterranean civilization and the emergence of new states in western Europe based on the Germanic warrior society. This book focuses particularly on the men who made up the retinues of the Germanic warlords who carved kingdoms out of the carcass of the West Roman Empire. Although sources are scarce, Simon MacDowall constructs a convincing picture, using evidence from Roman historians, German archaeology and Anglo-Saxon poetry. The warriors' society, hierarchy, training, equipment, appearance, tactics and style of fighting are all examined, building a comprehensive portrait of the Germanic warrior in this period.
64 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 23, 2024
GERMANIC WARRIOR 236-568 AD covers the weapons, armor, and tactics of those mass migration people who ended up settling in Western Europe. Like other books in the series, they make up for small page count with plenty of illustrations and relevant text.
Some may think of modern day British when you mention Anglo-Saxons but the book states that this is the common name given to the Germanic invaders of Britain. They included Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and possibly some Frisians, Franks and Alamanni. The Alamanni were a "confederation of German tribes who were one of Rome's main opponents in this period. The name means 'all people'. Their descendants are the modern Alsatians, German Swiss and the inhabitants of most of Baden."
These Germans were nothing like the teamwork Germans of the 20th Century Blitzkrieg era. A young man might decide it was time to go off to make a name for himself and seek his fortune. He might leave his clan or tribe and go follow whomever he thought was a great warrior. The more successful that warrior was, the elevated his position. So our young man follows this nobleman on a raid, armed with not more than a crude spear and a sharp knife. The action is quick and intense as the nobleman charges forward leading the way with his most loyal retainers at his heels trying to keep up. Our young man and the others of the rabble follow behind. The raid is successful and the young man takes possession of an enemy shield. Rewards are given out and some feasting follows. The young man decides to stick with this noble while some others leave to go follow another.
The next raid is more intense and the young man captures a throwing ax and again shares in the booty.
An enemy raid catches the nobleman off guard while he is hunting and the young man who was present helps defend his noble and thus earns recognition. He is awarded with a fine sword and tunic so he swears an oath of loyalty to his noble. Being a gift, he doesn't have to return the sword if he leaves the nobleman to follow another.
Time goes by and the young man matures and increases in his martial ability. His status has thus increased and he has taken a wife who bore him children.
The noble announces to prepare for battle. The warriors go out and face their enemy. Before the hostilities commence the young man strolls out into the field in between to face the champion who has shouted out a challenge. The young man beats him and his status increases. The battle begins and while it waxes back and forth the young man is wounded. Luckily for him his wife and children come onto the field to bind his wounds and carry him back while the battle rages around them.
Being victorious the noble throws a feast for his men and the young man sits at the noble's table. He is awarded silver coins and a golden armband. Tonight after the feast and the beer they will move the tables aside and sleep there on the floor of the great hall.
Several references are made to the poem 'Beowulf' which evidently is about these people.
This is a great reference book on the subject.
Some may think of modern day British when you mention Anglo-Saxons but the book states that this is the common name given to the Germanic invaders of Britain. They included Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and possibly some Frisians, Franks and Alamanni. The Alamanni were a "confederation of German tribes who were one of Rome's main opponents in this period. The name means 'all people'. Their descendants are the modern Alsatians, German Swiss and the inhabitants of most of Baden."
These Germans were nothing like the teamwork Germans of the 20th Century Blitzkrieg era. A young man might decide it was time to go off to make a name for himself and seek his fortune. He might leave his clan or tribe and go follow whomever he thought was a great warrior. The more successful that warrior was, the elevated his position. So our young man follows this nobleman on a raid, armed with not more than a crude spear and a sharp knife. The action is quick and intense as the nobleman charges forward leading the way with his most loyal retainers at his heels trying to keep up. Our young man and the others of the rabble follow behind. The raid is successful and the young man takes possession of an enemy shield. Rewards are given out and some feasting follows. The young man decides to stick with this noble while some others leave to go follow another.
The next raid is more intense and the young man captures a throwing ax and again shares in the booty.
An enemy raid catches the nobleman off guard while he is hunting and the young man who was present helps defend his noble and thus earns recognition. He is awarded with a fine sword and tunic so he swears an oath of loyalty to his noble. Being a gift, he doesn't have to return the sword if he leaves the nobleman to follow another.
Time goes by and the young man matures and increases in his martial ability. His status has thus increased and he has taken a wife who bore him children.
The noble announces to prepare for battle. The warriors go out and face their enemy. Before the hostilities commence the young man strolls out into the field in between to face the champion who has shouted out a challenge. The young man beats him and his status increases. The battle begins and while it waxes back and forth the young man is wounded. Luckily for him his wife and children come onto the field to bind his wounds and carry him back while the battle rages around them.
Being victorious the noble throws a feast for his men and the young man sits at the noble's table. He is awarded silver coins and a golden armband. Tonight after the feast and the beer they will move the tables aside and sleep there on the floor of the great hall.
Several references are made to the poem 'Beowulf' which evidently is about these people.
This is a great reference book on the subject.
August 8, 2020
What an informative little book. Simon MacDowall's "Germanic Warrior AD 236-568" gives you insights into the mindset of the ancient Germanics. From the code of loyalty to their fighting spirit and actual tactics. There are some great illustrations by Angus McBride that bring these distant times to life in front of our eyes.
Here's what I learned:
* Loyalty was more man to man, less man to tribe. Warriors followed a leader because he promised them wealth, reputation and glory in battle.
* There were no uniforms among any of the peoples during the Great Migration period, not even among the Romans. Every man equipped himself the best he could.
* Archers were not considered to be noble in batte, but despite this wide-spread belief, the warriors were often equipped as ones (they used wooden longbows).
* They preferred fighting by foot and used horses more for mobility, getting to the battlefield.
* Oftentimes they didn't own their equipment but were given it as a temporary gift by their leader.
* Germanic warriors were bad at long campaigns and especially sieges. They were good at short battles, at quick raids.
* Hygiene was important to them (evident by combs and ear-cleaning spoons found in graves of men and women)
* Wars often started by challenging the opposing armies to a personal duel.
* They used large belt-buckles in the 4th century A.D. At the buckles and strap attachments they wore purse, knife (the so-called "sax"), fire-steel and other items.
* The fighting style went from a close formation to a looser formation when the preferred weapons changed from spears to throwing axes, javelins and most importantly swords. The large shields became smaller as well to accomodate. MacDowall describes this paradigm change as a change in the armies from tribal levies to aristocratic warbands.
* The warriors liked to paint their shields in bright colors. They also used motifs with stars and crescent moons.
* War tactics applied: The boar's head (also called "wedge"), the shield wall, the wagon laager
* Lances came from the steppes and became popular in the 6th and 7th centuries.
* There would have been little difference between the look of an Alemannic, Frankish or Burgundian warrior. Except that the Franks liked to dress in green with scarlet trim.
* They probably gave their weapons names.
* At a feast a leader would give his followers gifts such as arm rings, clothing and weapons.
Here's what I learned:
* Loyalty was more man to man, less man to tribe. Warriors followed a leader because he promised them wealth, reputation and glory in battle.
* There were no uniforms among any of the peoples during the Great Migration period, not even among the Romans. Every man equipped himself the best he could.
* Archers were not considered to be noble in batte, but despite this wide-spread belief, the warriors were often equipped as ones (they used wooden longbows).
* They preferred fighting by foot and used horses more for mobility, getting to the battlefield.
* Oftentimes they didn't own their equipment but were given it as a temporary gift by their leader.
* Germanic warriors were bad at long campaigns and especially sieges. They were good at short battles, at quick raids.
* Hygiene was important to them (evident by combs and ear-cleaning spoons found in graves of men and women)
* Wars often started by challenging the opposing armies to a personal duel.
* They used large belt-buckles in the 4th century A.D. At the buckles and strap attachments they wore purse, knife (the so-called "sax"), fire-steel and other items.
* The fighting style went from a close formation to a looser formation when the preferred weapons changed from spears to throwing axes, javelins and most importantly swords. The large shields became smaller as well to accomodate. MacDowall describes this paradigm change as a change in the armies from tribal levies to aristocratic warbands.
* The warriors liked to paint their shields in bright colors. They also used motifs with stars and crescent moons.
* War tactics applied: The boar's head (also called "wedge"), the shield wall, the wagon laager
* Lances came from the steppes and became popular in the 6th and 7th centuries.
* There would have been little difference between the look of an Alemannic, Frankish or Burgundian warrior. Except that the Franks liked to dress in green with scarlet trim.
* They probably gave their weapons names.
* At a feast a leader would give his followers gifts such as arm rings, clothing and weapons.
January 29, 2010
Excellent resource for both readers and researchers. Many citations of primary sources as well as the always-artistic illustrations of the late Angus McBride.
April 18, 2015
Introductory work providing an overview of what is known about military aspects Germanic societies between early third and sixth century. All essentials are covered - equipment, training, military organization and tactics. Or to be more specific, what we know about them, which really isn't very much, as the author frequently reminds us.
Even with the meager sources available to us, it has to be said that the author does a very good job here - it's one of better Osprey's I've read so far. Very informative narrative is supported by highly relevant black&white photos of archeological finds. Color plates by Angus McBride (who else!) in this volume are absolutely stunning and their descriptions aren't an afterthought as is often the case, but provide vital contribution to content of the booklet.
Very well done indeed.
Even with the meager sources available to us, it has to be said that the author does a very good job here - it's one of better Osprey's I've read so far. Very informative narrative is supported by highly relevant black&white photos of archeological finds. Color plates by Angus McBride (who else!) in this volume are absolutely stunning and their descriptions aren't an afterthought as is often the case, but provide vital contribution to content of the booklet.
Very well done indeed.
December 5, 2013
Germanic Warrior AD 236-568 at 62 or so pages, is a concise look into Germanic warrior culture for the general reader and should prove useful in leading to some related, more expansive works. Accurate illustrations are provided with useful photographs detailing early weaponry, attire and more. The general sparsity of a book of this brevity makes it less serviceable to more scholarly readers who are likely attending substantial historical treatises anyways.
A good starting point for those interested.
A good starting point for those interested.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews