Part 26

Explore the history of Germanic tribes, Roman interactions, and the rise of the Franks in Civilization V Part 26.

Evidence suggests that Germanic tribes lived in northern Germany as far back as the Bronze Age. Initially, Southern Germany was populated by Celtic peoples, but they were eventually assimilated as Germanic influence spread south. The first historical records of Germanic tribes date to approximately 50 BC, when Roman general Julius Caesar encountered them in Gaul. Caesar established the eastern border of Gaul at the Rhine River, beyond which most Germanic tribes resided.

An uneasy peace between Romans and Germanic peoples lasted for about forty years until approximately 10 BC. Roman armies invaded Germanic territory from the west (across the Rhine) and east (across the Danube). This invasion was a significant miscalculation, as the Germanic tribes proved to be formidable opponents, leading to the destruction of several Roman legions. The Romans retreated to their previous borders, and no further incursions were attempted for several centuries. A period of coexistence, marked by considerable commerce, lasted until 350 AD. During this time, Germans traded raw materials for Roman manufactured and luxury goods, learned pottery and advanced agricultural techniques, and began using Roman money.

As the 4th century progressed, Germanic tribes faced increasing pressure from migrating Hunnish tribes from the east, which pushed them into Roman territory. Over the next fifty years, parts of Rome were overrun by the Visigoths, Suebi, and Vandals. The city of Rome itself was sacked multiple times, and several Roman emperors died fighting these invaders. The Romans eventually made terms with some invaders, granting them territory and protection from the Huns.

With the collapse of the Hun Empire after Attila's death in 435 AD, the Germanic tribes no longer required Roman protection. Several tribes declared independence from Rome. A Visigoth kingdom was established in southwest Gaul, a Burgundian kingdom in southeast Gaul, a Frankish kingdom in the north, and a Lombard kingdom on the Danube. The Western Roman Empire ceased to exist.

The Franks, established in north-western Gaul, began expanding eastward across the Rhine into non-Romanized Germanic territory. The subjugation of these independent Germanic tribes spanned three centuries of conflict. Religion was a major impediment, as the Franks had become Christian and sought to spread their faith, while the Germanic tribes remained pagan and resistant. Christianity eventually emerged victorious after a long and bloody process.

The Franks were not a unified entity, often fighting amongst themselves. The Merovingian dynasty ruled until the mid-7th century, when they were overthrown by the Carolingians. The Carolingians, aided by the Catholic Church, extended Frankish power across much of central Europe. Charlemagne (742-814), a prominent Carolingian, was a brilliant military leader and politician who continued the subjugation of Germanic tribes and expanded his empire into southern France and Italy. In exchange for protecting Rome, the Pope crowned him Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne is considered a founder of France and Germany and the first to unite Western Europe since the Romans.

Upon Charlemagne's death, his son Louis I (Louis the Pious) inherited the throne. The empire was divided among Louis's sons, and it would be many years before any single ruler controlled such a large portion of Europe.

Louis the Pious' son, Louis the German, inherited the eastern portion of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Kingdom of Bavaria and territories that would become Medieval Germany. His reign involved conflicts with Slavs, Vikings, and his brothers, who inherited the western and middle portions of Charlemagne's empire (areas that would become France and the Benelux countries). Louis the German ruled for approximately 50 years (ca. 825-876), providing political stability. He was also an early patron of German letters and promoted the creation of monasteries.

In the two centuries following Louis' reign, external pressures from Danes, Saracens, and Magyars weakened the central government. As it proved incapable of protecting its citizens, power devolved to local authorities, creating a patchwork of independent duchies. After the death of the last Carolingian German king, German dukes first elected a Frankish duke, who proved incompetent. The title then went to a Saxon duke, who remained in power for several centuries.