Replies

>The Saxons weren't Vikings. They were Germans. The Angles and Jutes came from what is now Denmark but would still be better classified as Germanic rather than Norse.

The definition of "German" is a fluid one, depending on time. The original Celtic tribe called "The Germani" is the source of the name of the approximate territory which is currently called Germany. But that Celtic tribe was driven out to the West and North by later invading Slavic tribes. Unlike most of its neighbors to the north, west, and SW, Germany today is not primarily Celtic in origin.

>...would still be better classified as Germanic rather than Norse.

Scandinavian languages are classified as "Germanic" in origin, as are others. Roman History makes many references to "barbarian Germanic Tribes". These were simply large Celtic tribes which occupied the territory, and who were related to the many other large Celtic tribes throughout Europe.

Historians typically make far too much of the differences between European peoples, ignoring their common roots. It's like concentrating on the trees while ignoring the forest. Trees are easier to study. {ggg}.

The original Celtic tribe called "The Germani"

never heard of any Celtic tribe called so. The word german is derived form the Latin Germanus which means genuine or authentic and probably refers to the Roman distinction between the Celts and Germans -- viz. the GErmans were 'authentic' Celts, more Celtic than the Celts -- more blonder and hairier. confusing, well, yeah, the Romans didn't really care too much, both were barbarisn to be assimilated or slaughtered, not civilised peoples like the ones aroudn the Mediterranean.

Historians typically make far too much of the differences between European peoples, ignoring their common roots. It's like concentrating on the trees while ignoring the forest. Trees are easier to study.

The 'European' peples roots lie further east in Persia-India, with the Germanic-Nordic-Greek relgions being similar variants to hinduism and the pre-Zoroastrian Irani religions. Their languages are also similar as are the physical characteristics.