List of ancient Germanic peoples

The assignments and localization of the numerous in ancient sources referred to peoples and groups to archaeological contexts and cultures, their classification as to whether it is an ethnic group with a common culture or a temporary alliance quite heterogeneous groups that are associated with very considerable uncertainties. Partial is not even certain whether it is in these groups is Germanic in another, linguistic sense, ie to speakers of a Germanic language.

So it is with the names listed here not about names for ethnic groups in any modern sense, but names of groups that were perceived in antiquity and late antiquity as Germans, that is, as nations, groups, associations and organizations of the right of the Rhine and north of the Danube Barbaricum, also known as Germania magna, or those peoples ( gentes ), who came from there and settled permanently in the course of history, and especially during the so-called migration period, especially in the Western Roman Empire territory.

Tribal list

The present list is based largely on the sales register first band of the Real Dictionary of Germanic archeology List of Germanic tribal names and spelling variations.

The first column contains the German name and its variants, where such is common, otherwise the traditional old name. The second column contains ancient names of Latin and Greek authors, the latter both in transcription and in Greek. In the third column is a brief description, followed by a localization.

The fifth column lists major sources of the tradition for that group. The few ancient main sources are not linked to names and localization of Germanic tribes. These are:

• Caesar de Bello Gallico Commentarii
• Jordanes De origine actibusque Getarum, short Getica
• Tacitus Germania