08-26-2003, 08:48 PM
It is indeed hard to say what Romans were in the 6th century. There was no longer a Rome to belong to, so it was mainly culturally. The traditional view is that Roman culture disappeared, actually merged with the German culture, soon after the disappearence of Roman rule and soldiers. Pretty much every excavation in Gaul and the border provinces show us that the continuity was more than what we expected, or learned from previous excavations. I can give you numerous examples if you want.<br>
What we see is that there is co-existence between both groups, but that there are seperated cemetaries for Germans and 'Romani'. We also see a difference in pottery and other utensils. So there was a Roman culture, and we can recognize it up to the 6th century.<br>
And it has also been made clear that there was a certain continuity in military affairs. Garrisons and border troops remained where they were even when they were no longer paid by the Roman government. Limitanei were already partially autarchic and garrisons could be paid and supported by the towns that they were to protect. The growing power of local landlords could have played a role in their continuing use.<br>
Power was still very much fragmented in those days, and only ended with the powerful rule of Charlemagne. Nevertheless the Franks generally were in power over 6th century Gaul up to the Alps, and the remaining Roman units there were incorporated in the Frankish army.<br>
I have some information about it, lying around here somewhere, I will post some more if I come across it. <p></p><i></i>
What we see is that there is co-existence between both groups, but that there are seperated cemetaries for Germans and 'Romani'. We also see a difference in pottery and other utensils. So there was a Roman culture, and we can recognize it up to the 6th century.<br>
And it has also been made clear that there was a certain continuity in military affairs. Garrisons and border troops remained where they were even when they were no longer paid by the Roman government. Limitanei were already partially autarchic and garrisons could be paid and supported by the towns that they were to protect. The growing power of local landlords could have played a role in their continuing use.<br>
Power was still very much fragmented in those days, and only ended with the powerful rule of Charlemagne. Nevertheless the Franks generally were in power over 6th century Gaul up to the Alps, and the remaining Roman units there were incorporated in the Frankish army.<br>
I have some information about it, lying around here somewhere, I will post some more if I come across it. <p></p><i></i>
