History Culture Archaeology
Germania Magna
Germania Magna

@GermaniaMagnaTW

11 Tweets 65 reads May 14, 2023
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(1/11) Today a thread about a somewhat different aspect of #Germanic history. It is about a #treasure from the Migration Period, which comes from the East Germanic empire of the #Gepids. The so-called "treasure of Schomlenmarkt".
(Pictures are mainly from external sources)
(2/11) But what was the Gepid Empire anyway?
The #Gepids were an mainly East #Germanic #tribe closely related to the #Goths. With the beginning of the #Migration Period, they settled in what is now #Romania and established their #empire there, which existed for about 150 years.
(2/11) But what was the Gepid Empire anyway? The #Gepids were an mainly East #Germanic #tribe close...
(3/11) The #Gepids at first allied with Rome and fought for them against other tribes.
However, the Gepid Empire was occupied by the #Huns around 525 AD. As a result, the Gepids were forced to ally with them. In return, the Huns paid them money extorted annually from the Romans.
(3/11) The #Gepids at first allied with Rome and fought for them against other tribes. However, the...
(3/11) The #Gepids at first allied with Rome and fought for them against other tribes. However, the...
(4/11) The last dynasties of the #Gepids thus initially benefited from the alliance. However, something must have happened around the year 530 AD that led to the last #kings of the Gepids burying their royal treasure. Probably it was dynastic tensions or conflicts with the #Huns.
(5/11) As a result, the #treasure was carefully #buried. Contrary to what was likely planned, it was not dug up again. Therefore it was well preserved.
It was rediscovered only in 1797 near the town of Schomlenmarkt (Szilágysomlyó/Șimleu-Silvaniei) on the edge of #Transylvania.
(5/11) As a result, the #treasure was carefully #buried. Contrary to what was likely planned, it was...
(6/11) That the #Gepids served as allies of the Romans is testified by medallions issued to them by Roman emperors.
These were collected and re-stamped by the Gepids. In the treasure of Schomlenmarkt are around 15 of these awards, which were probably collected over generations.
(6/11) That the #Gepids served as allies of the Romans is testified by medallions issued to them by...
(6/11) That the #Gepids served as allies of the Romans is testified by medallions issued to them by...
(7/11) More impressive and orginal Germanic is however a gold chain, which was found.
This body chain is a piece of East #Germanic blacksmith art with a total of 52 pendants, representing different areas of everyday life and giving a deep insight into the lives of these people.
(7/11) More impressive and orginal Germanic is however a gold chain, which was found. This body cha...
(7/11) More impressive and orginal Germanic is however a gold chain, which was found. This body cha...
(8/11) These #pendants can be divided into a total of six groups.
The first pendants show #household items, the second #agricultural tools, the third wood #tools and the fourth #weapons.
(8/11) These #pendants can be divided into a total of six groups. The first pendants show #househol...
(8/11) These #pendants can be divided into a total of six groups. The first pendants show #househol...
(8/11) These #pendants can be divided into a total of six groups. The first pendants show #househol...
(8/11) These #pendants can be divided into a total of six groups. The first pendants show #househol...
(9/11) The fifth group of pendants represents tools that were used for #metal #mining and the sixth #tools that were important for #blacksmithing.
(9/11) The fifth group of pendants represents tools that were used for #metal #mining and the sixth...
(9/11) The fifth group of pendants represents tools that were used for #metal #mining and the sixth...
(10/11) Other #Germanic gold items found were a small gold chain link on which a figure is depicted (perhaps a Gepid king), a vine leaf pendant (inspired by toads, which were a #fertility symbol), and a figure of a man riding in a dugout canoe (whose symbolic meaning is unknown).
(10/11) Other #Germanic gold items found were a small gold chain link on which a figure is depicted...
(10/11) Other #Germanic gold items found were a small gold chain link on which a figure is depicted...
(10/11) Other #Germanic gold items found were a small gold chain link on which a figure is depicted...
(11/11) About 100 years later, in the 19th century, a second gepidic #treasure find was made in Schomlenmarkt. This one, however, consisted mainly of #Roman pay objects. Both finds are kept in #Vienna.
These #treasure finds still offer an impressive insight into a bygone world.

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