The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2Schlegel, Friedrich von
Philosophy
The Philosophy of History, Vol. 2 of 2
Schlegel, Friedrich von
History; History -- Philosophy
But in those early ages, and among those northern, warlike children of
nature, this natural necessity of emigration could take no other
course, nor have any other object but a military settlement. Such was
the result of the first irruption of the northern nations, mentioned
in history--the expedition of the Gauls into Thrace, which was soon
succeeded by a second of a similar kind under Brennus; when that
Gallic general marched at the head of his troops into Macedon and
Greece, and became master of the rich temple of Apollo at Delphi, and
of all its accumulated treasures. A remnant of these troops finally
fixed their abode in Asia Minor, and established a Gallic settlement
in a province which from them received the name of _Galatia_. In
this first great expedition, or irruption of the northern nations, the
names of almost all the tribes and their leaders are Celtic; still
some few German names are found amongst them; and this may be easily
accounted for, when we recollect that the Gauls, who were then widely
spread, and inhabited even the North of Italy, were undoubtedly in
possession of most of the Alpine countries, and thus may easily have
engaged in their service some German tribes. Who knows but what some
marvellous tradition, and fabulous account of the lovely climate and
delicious fruits of the Southern regions, together with recollections
of their original descent from the Southern nations of Asia, may have
contributed to bring the Cimbri and Teutones from the islands of
Scandinavia to the plains of Italy? Had the Romans not dreaded the
dangerous precedent, and had they but allotted lands to these nations,
they might easily have kept terms of peace with them, and enlisted
their most valiant youth in the service of their legions; as, indeed,
under the later emperors, the flower of their troops was selected from
the Gothic tribes.
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