Allemanni
The Allemanni were a mixed group of Germanic and non-Germanic peoples that emerged as a notable tribe from the second to the early sixth century CE. The name "Allemanni," which translates to "all men" or "all humankind," was first recorded in 289 CE and initially referred to a large, distinct coalition of tribes known for their battles against the Roman Empire. During the third century CE, they gained notoriety for their successful incursions into Roman territories, breaking through key frontiers and reaching as far as Milan in 258 CE. Despite their initial successes, the Allemanni struggled with cohesive military organization, leading to their eventual retreat under Roman pressure. However, the shifting dynamics of power saw the Romans withdraw from northern Europe in the following centuries, allowing the Allemanni and other Germanic tribes to occupy the vacated lands. By the sixth century, the term "Allemanni" began to refer to a smaller tribe within the larger Gothic forces, reflecting the changes in their societal structure and identity over time. Their legacy remains significant in the historical context of Germanic tribal movements and interactions with the Roman Empire.
Allemanni
Also known as: Alamanni or Alemanni.
Date: second-sixth centuries c.e.
Locale: Northern Europe, especially around modern Germany
Allemanni
The Allemanni (ah-leh-mah-NEE) tribe (the name means “all men” or “all humankind”) were a mixed group of Germanic people and non-Germanic people. Although they existed as a group from the second until the very early sixth century c.e., the name (first used in 289 c.e.) is applied differently: Initially, when they were fighting the Romans, the Allemanni were recognized as a large, distinct group, but by the sixth century, the name refers to a much smaller tribe within the greater Gothic forces.
The Allemanni are best known for their confrontations with Rome in the third century c.e. They were among the first Germanic tribes to invade. They broke through the Roman frontier in northern Europe, crossed the Rhine River and the Danube River, and in 258 c.e. penetrated as far as Milan. Because they lacked a cohesive army, they were driven back by the Romans, but the Romans themselves later withdrew from northern Europe in the fourth and fifth centuries c.e., leaving the land for the Allemanni and other Germanic tribes.
Bibliography
Todd, Malcolm. The Northern Barbarians: 100 b.c.-a.d. 300. London: Hutchinson, 1975.
Wolfram, Herwig. History of the Goths. Translated by Thomas J. Dunlap. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988.
Wolfram, Herwig. The Roman Empire and Its Germanic Peoples. Translated by Thomas Dunlap. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997.