The Baiuvarii and Thuringi

This book provides a thorough examination of the Baiuvarii and Thuringi tribes, focusing on their origins and cultural practices from the fifth to eighth centuries.

This comprehensive study delves into two significant Germanic tribes, the Baiuvarii and Thuringi, exploring their origins, cultural development, and customs from the fifth to the eighth centuries. The narrative focuses on the geographical region between the Alps and the River Elbe, where these tribes flourished. Through an array of sources, including archaeology, history, linguistics, and religious studies, the book examines how these tribes are represented in both written texts and archaeological findings.

The Baiuvarii and Thuringi are particularly intriguing due to their interconnected settlement landscapes. The Thuringi's tribal traditions trace back to around 400 AD, while the Baiuvarii underwent a later ethnogenesis influenced by both local and immigrant populations in the mid-sixth century. The text highlights how the Thuringi were assimilated into the Merovingian Empire after their defeat by the Franks, which led to changes in their burial customs, aligning them with western row-grave traditions. Conversely, the Baiuvarii retained their distinct Bavarian customs for over a century longer.

The chapters of this book emphasize various aspects of life in these tribes, including settlements, agricultural practices, legal systems, religious beliefs, languages, craftsmanship, and mobility. Written by experts in the field, including Janine Fries-Knoblach and Heiko Steuer, The Baiuvarii and Thuringi offers a detailed examination of the social and economic history of these fascinating Germanic tribes.