01/05/17 QOD Where did the German letters come from? German letters came from the Latin alphabet, which some Germans learned and shared with their people. I can describe German warriors and law.

Agenda 1/5/17 I can and QOD Vocab Flashcards Germanic Warriors Notes Germanic Law Notes German Words (Extra Credit)

Warriors German men were warriors. They spent most of their time: 1. Fighting 2. Hunting 3. Making weapons They began training for war when they were young boys. When a male reached manhood, he was brought before a special gathering held in a sacred grove under a full moon. There, he received a shield and a spear, which he had to carry with him at all times. The loss of the shield and spear meant a loss of honor.

The Germans were divided into clans, or groups based on family ties The Germans were divided into clans, or groups based on family ties. At first, the Germans gave their greatest loyalty to their clan. After a while, however, they developed a strong feeling of loyalty toward a military leader called a chieftain. A man had to fight well to become a chieftain. In the beginning, a chieftain was elected by a band of warriors. Later, this office became hereditary. What does hereditary mean? Passing down by inheritance from parent to child What three things did a Chieftain give their men? Leadership Weapons Chance for wealth/adventure

Chieftains also kept peace among their warriors Chieftains also kept peace among their warriors. In some cases, they gave their warriors food and shelter. In return, warriors gave their chieftains complete loyalty. Some even gave their chieftains credit for the brave deeds they themselves did. In battle, what did the chieftain fight for and what did the warriors fight for? Chieftains - >Victory Warriors - >Their chieftains German warrior bands did not have fixed plans for fighting. Each band was small and usually fought on its own, apart from other bands. The bands made surprise raids against their enemies. Warriors on foot and on horseback would charge wildly, yelling in loud voices to frighten their foes. They fought with daggers, short swords, and heavy axes made of metal and stone. They carried light wooden shields and wore suits of leather.

What would a successful attack provide? Enslaved people Cattle Other treasures The Germans’ love of battle was closely linked to their religion. Germans had many gods who liked to fight and hunt. Who was their chief god? Wodan

What was he the god of? War 2. Poetry 3. Learning 4. Magic Another god of war was Wodan’s son Thor, who was also the God of Thunder. The Germans believed what about the sound of thunder? Came from the wheel’s of Thor’s chariot. The Germans admired bravery. Like the Spartans, they expected their warriors to win in battle or to die fighting. The only German shields left on the battlefield were those of dead warriors. What did the Germans believe about what happened if you died on the battlefield? Goddesses carried spirits of warriors into the afterlife.

Laws Where did the Romans believe laws came from? The Emperor Where did the Germans believe their laws came from? The People German rulers could not change a law unless the people approved. The Germans based their laws on the customs of their ancestors. Instead of writing down the laws, the Germans memorized them and passed them from parent to child.

Reckless fighting, often caused by too much drinking, caused problems in German villages. The Germans wanted to keep such fights from becoming blood feuds or quarrels in which the families of the original fighters seek revenge. Blood feuds could go on for generations. Why did the Germans set up courts? To prevent blood feuds from going on for generations. Judges listened to each side and tried to find a settlement that would bring peace to the village. The Germans decided who was guilty or innocent in different ways. One way was by oath-taking. Describe what an oath-helper is and does: People who swore that the accused was telling the truth

If the accused could not find oath-helpers, then their guilt or innocence was decided by ordeal or a severe trial. Describe what would happen during these ordeals: Accused walked barefoot over red-hot coals OR Arm placed in boiling water --- Burns of the innocent would heal within 3 days Ordeal by water :Accused hands/feet were tied and thrown into a lake/river --- Innocent sank, guilty float A person who was judged guilty was not always punished physically. Courts could impose fines called wergeld. The exact amount of the payment varied. Although courts could set these fines, they did not have the power to collect them. They had to depend on public opinions to make a guilty person pay the fine. The German legal system did not treat all people fairly. What did matter in determining the penalty for a crime? A person’s wealth/importance German law did keep the peace.