Wild Times

After holding off the Romans, the Germanic tribes continued a migratory pattern. It is unknown why they migrated. The Goths (later Ostrogoths and Visigoths) originally from the Scandinavian area, take their name Got- which meant poor; perhaps from flooding at the time.

Throughout the early "Dark Ages" they maintained a war-like migratory pattern. Eventually the Visigoths toppled the Western Roman Empire; conquering Rome, stripping the bronze from the Coliseum, wreaking havoc, but generally not establishing Empire or government when they left an area. Alaric, a Visigoth leader left Rome saying there was nothing there worth keeping.

The Flaminian Way - leaves the northern gates of Rome and goes through Augsburg just west of Munich, on its way to the French northern coast carrying Empire (goods, services and legions) to Londinium (London.) The Eastern Roman Empire, based in Constantinople, also known as the Byzantine Empire, influences southern Germany, particularly the south and east - including Bavaria.

The tribes eventually settled into a feudal society as they began settling in the previously Roman settlements. Knights, and royalty, became more prevalent by the 8th and 9th centuries.

Charlemagne and the spread of Christianity helped push the rival tribes into a more cohesive society. The beginning of German Imperial roots, the establishment of major trading routes, and civil society occur in this time. Regensburg, just north of Munich, has several sites relating to this period.