The Germanic tribes

THE GERMANIC MIGRATIONS
The Early Middle Ages began with the decline of the Roman Empire in 400AD approximately. Germanic tribes that lived to the north invaded the Roman Empire and settled in different places. The Franks settled in France, the Visigoths in Spain, the Ostrogoths and later the Lombards in Italy, the Angles and the Saxon in Britain, the Slaves in Eastern Europe.

During this period it was very dangerous to travel, so:

  • There was very little long-distance trade and many industries disappeared.
  • Cities declined and people moved to the countryside.
  • Cultural activity also declined.

Map of the Germanic Kingdoms (www.emersonkent.com)