[gothic-l] Re: Gothology

[Tim O'Neill]

--- In gothic-l at y..., "Nikolai" <gothologist at y...> wrote:
> > Lately there has been discussions on Gothic architecture,
> > for example as part of what the Goths left behind besides
> > the Wulfila bible.
>
> Yes, ...this has been a belief/interest of mine, aside from the
> other areas of study. I do believe that the Goths played
> into the Gothic architectural style, but it will be years before I
> can properly prove or disprove it (to my own satisfaction, that is).

I gather you already realise that the *name* 'Gothic architecture'
was applied later, as a reference to the supposed 'barbarism' of the
style compared with later architectural traditions.  But I'd be
interested in what evidence you have to link the later
medieval 'gothic' style with the early medieval Goths.  I know of a
few buildings in Italy from the Ostrogothic period - Theodoric's
mausoleum and a few churches - but all of these are built in a firmly
late Roman style, and don't differ markedly from any 'non-Gothic'
buildings of the same period.  Do you have some other evidence that
there was an Ostrogothic style of architecture that was somehow
linked to the later 'gothic' style of French origin?

> But in Tim's defense, I do find Roman civ. interesting (and to a
> point, a necessity in knowledge), it's just not what I am looking
> for at this point in my studies. I want viewpoints that originate
> with a sympathy a bit more to the 'north' than south (northern
> europe vs roman empire).

No need to defend me Nikolai.  Germanic-L is devoted, as the name
suggests, to the early Germanic peoples from prehistory to circa 800
AD.  For obvious reasons, many of the sources we use to discuss these
peoples for the earlier parts of this period are Roman.  There are
also several members of G-L who are very cautious about the dangers
of 'over-glorifying' the ancient Germanics.  Some of these people are
from Germany, a country which has seen where such over-glorification
can lead if nationalism and political ideology are allowed to
overwhelm historical scholarship.  This certainly doesn't make these
members 'pro-Roman' though, since most G-L members are intelligent
enough to know that such value judgements as 'Romans=good /
Germans=bad' (or vice versa) are utterly meaningless when applied to
people who lived 2000 years ago.

> Something that I have missed here (on this group), though, is what
> evidence there is to support the hypotheses of the Goths being
> Germanic in origin instead of Scandzan. I lean towards Scandzan,
> but well documented & published research is something I do not wish
> to rule out.

Peter Heather makes a pretty good case for the sceptics regarding the
origins of the Goths.  I don't find him convincing and feel that
Scandinavia is the most likely ultimate 'homeland' of the people who
called themselves 'Goths', but Heather is worth reading.  His book is
_The Goths_ and is published by Blackwells - I don't know if it's
translated into any non-English languages.

> And also if any burial sites/funeral sites have ever been
> identified as 'Goth' in origin within Romania (Dacia, etc.) and
> where those references might be found. I know of a dig going on
> there this summer - of a 3rd century germanic necropolis - and was
> curious as to whether any other similar digs have been undertaken
> within the same region in the past.

The rich horse warrior grave from Aphida has been variously
identified as Gothic or Gepidic.  It includes some fine saddle mounts
in the shape of eagles and various other rich trappings.  I found
some pictures of the Aphida finds and reconstructions of the saddle
and horse harness from the grave on the web a few months ago, so I'll
see if I can dig out the URL.
Cheers,

Tim O'Neill


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