This study deals with the origins of kingship among the germanic speaking barbarians. Its starting point is a long overdue methodical review of the old view that the kingship of the Migration Period is to be regarded as a kingship based on military power and distinguished from an older, sacral based popular kngship. On the basis of recent research and archaeological evidence a new perspective of the development of power forms within the barbarian societies is expounded.

This study deals with the origins of kingship among the Germanic speaking barbarians. Its starting point is a long overdue methodical review of the old view that the kingship of the Migration Period is to be regarded as a kingship based on military power and distinguished from an older, sacral based popular kingship. On the basis of recent research and archaeological evidence a new perspective of the development of power forms within the barbarian societies is expounded.

Autorentext

Stefanie Dick, Universität Paderborn.

Zusammenfassung

"Die Studie von Stefanie Dick imponiert durch ihre stringente, zielorientierte Argumentation und durch die breite Heranziehung der geschichtswissenschaftlichen - althistorischen wie mediävistischen - sowie der archäologischen und philologischen Forschungsliteratur, die ebenso umsichtig wie überzeugend in eine Synthese eingebunden wird."
Stefan Esders in: http://www.sehepunkte.de/2010/02/16207.html