The Germans

1) Describe the village life of the early Germans.
Villages were surrounded by farmlands and pastures. Most of the homes were long thatched roof huts with an open space around them. Families lived in one end of the hut and divided the other half into animal stalls. In winter the body heat of the animals kept them warm. Germans made their livings herding cattle.

2) What did the Germans grow?
Barley, rye, wheat, beans, and peas

3) What were the Germans view of hospitality?
Their view on hospitality was so strong it was illegal to turn people away. They took strangers and guests in and fed them, welcomed, and entertained.

4) How were the German tribes organized?
They were organized in clans. German clans started off based on family ties and later followed orders from a single chieftain.

5) Who was Theodoric the Great?
King of Eastern Goths. Declared himself king of Italy, and as king he encouraged the Roman and Germanic peoples to get along. During his reign peace and prosperity returned.

6) Who was Woden?  Thor?
Woden-God of war, poetry, and magic
Thor-Son of Woden, god of thunder

7) What was Valhalla?
It was the hall of Woden where soldiers in the afterlife would feast and fight forever.

8) Discuss blood fueds, oath-helpers and wergeld.
blood feud- quarrels in which the families of the original fighters seek revenge. Resolved by judges
oath-helper- people who swore that the accused was telling the truth
wergeld-fines issued by a court

9) How did the Germans' love of battle and laws influence their society?
It managed to keep the peace despite how cruel and unfair the laws were