How Barbaric were the Barbarians? a Historical Examination of Ancient Representations

The word “Barbarians” appeared in many cultures. This word always refers to “uncivilized” or “evil”. Many historians described barbarians, but are the descriptions of barbarians accurate? Why did they portray “others” in this way, and how did it reflect “us”?

Defining “Barbaric” Through SimaQian’s Lens

SimaQian, Herodotus, and Tacitus all recorded history about “outsiders”. However, they portrayed barbarians in very different ways. SimaQian focuses on the difference between Xiongnu and China to show the advance of China. Herodotus described Scythia more fairly by mentioning both the advantages and disadvantages of Scythia.

Tacitus shows his admiration toward Germany compared to the Romans. In The Account of the Xiongnu, SimaQian, a Chinese historian during the Han dynasty, wrote a discussion of a nomadic society living outside of China. These “outsiders” were known as Xiongnu. In SimaQian’s introduction, “From the time of the Three Dynasties on, the Xiongnu have been a constant worry and harm to China” (Reader 287).

Then, SimaQian describes the monstrous inborn nature of Xiongnu. According to SimaQian, Xiongnu had various leaders, no walled cities, no writing system, and no developed education system. Also, “Their only concern is self-advantage, and they know nothing of propriety or righteousness” (Reader 287). SimaQian emphasizes Xiongnu’s lives to make China seem like a well-civilized place.

For instance, he claims that the Xiongnu did not respect the older and had no rituals. “The young men eat the richest and best food, while the old get what is left over since the tribe honors those who are young and strong and despises the weak and aged” (Reader 287-288). “And when a father dies, the sons marry their stepmothers, and when a brother dies, the sons marry their widows! These people know nothing of the elegance of hats and girdles nor the rituals of the court!” (Reader 301).

Which differs from what the people in China believed. Under Confucianism’s influence of filial piety, the Chinese respect elders and honor families. After describing Xiongnu’s lives and showing China’s greatness, SimaQian presented the history of conflicts between China and Xiongnu from Xia to Han and how Maodun, the oldest son of Touman, unified the Barbarian Empire and invaded China. SimaQian portrayed the Xiongnu as barbaric because he was of the Han Dynasty. In the reading, SimaQian refers to Xiongnu as “barbarians,” which means uncultured and brutal people.

Navigating the “Barbaric” Landscape

When SimaQian describes Chinese relations, he states: “At this time Qin and Kin were the most powerful states in China. Duke Wen of Jin expelled the Di Barbarians and drove them out…” “Duke Mu of Qin, having obtained the services of You Yu, succeeded in getting the eight barbarian tribes of the west to submit to his authority” (Reader 290). It is just one example that SimaQian used to present the effort that the Chinese combined to protect the overall nation, which shows that China is more united and developed than the Xiongnu. However, SimaQian also recorded the defense of Zhonghang, the Xiongnu’s tutor, about the Xiongnu’s traditions. Zhonghang pointed out that warfare was the Xiongnu’s business and provided young men with more food so they could fight for the defense of the nation, which could protect both young and older men (Reader 300-301).

He also said: “The reason sons marry their stepmothers and brothers marry their widows’ sisters-in-law is simply that they hate to see the clan die out. Therefore, although the Xiongnu encountered times of turmoil, the ruling families always managed to stand firm.” (Reader 301). SimaQian uses these words to illustrate why the Xiongnu could continue to fight against China even though they were “barbaric” and why the Chinese needed to change if they want to overcome the Xiongnu.

Dual Faces of Scythia

Another “outsiders” were the Scythians. Like the relationship between the Xiongnu and China, the Scythians conflicted with the Parisians. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, recorded King Darius I is battles against Scythia. However, compared to SimaQian, Herodotus did not belong to any empire. Herodotus pointed out the barbaric lifestyle of Scythia, such as slaying humans to make scalp cloaks, drinking human blood, burning bone rather than wood… (Reader 271-272).

Also, Herodotus presented that Scythian relations with their neighbors were usually inexistent: “The Scythians are another people who avoid foreign customs at all costs, especially those of the Hellenes” (Reader 275). Like SimaQian, Herodotus’ emphasis on Scythia’s lives and relationships shows the Greeks’ superiority over other peoples of that time. However, Herodotus’s writing was fairer compared to SimaQian’s. He not only focused on the barbaric traditions of Scythia but also illustrated their brilliant strategy.

For example, he presented, “The Scythians were cleverer than any other people in making the most discovery we know of concerning human affairs, though I do not admire them in other respects” (Reader 269). Herodotus admitted the war strategy of Scythia but tried to persuade other empires to change because he did not belong to any empire, which is the main difference between Herodotus and SimaQian. In the document of Tacitus’ Germania, Tacitus, a Roman historian, wrote the Germanic tribes that threatened the Romans.

Tacitus’ Admiration for the “Barbarians”

Different from SimaQian and Herodotus, Tacitus described Germania admirably. He emphasized many aspects of Germania he admires, such as fidelity, a simple way of life, bravery, and other qualities he believes Roman society lacks. For example, Tacitus praised the fidelity of marriage and family in Germanic customs. “They are almost unique among Barbarians in being satisfied with one wife each” (Ger. 43). Tacitus also showed his admiration for Germania’s women when he wrote, “the men take their wounds to their mothers and wives, who are not afraid of counting and examining the blows, and bring food and encouragement to those fighting” (Ger. 38). It shows the courage of Germania in warfare.

Tacitus also pointed out the negative traits of Germania’s customs, such as “To drink away the day and night is not considered disgraceful” (Ger. 45). When Tacitus said, “I must now set forth the institutions and practices of the individual nations, so far as they differ,” (Ger. 47), he focused on historical fact rather than making Roman Empire seems superior, which differs from SimaQian and Herodotus. To make his work accurate, Tacitus described many nations, such as the Gaul, Batavi, and Chatti, and clarified their differences. Tacitus did not call these nations’ barbarians’ but their name and discussed them meticulously: “We must now speak of the Suebi … a special characteristic of this nation is to comb the hair sideways” (Ger. 52).

Thus, we can see that Tacitus shows his admirations and respects toward Germania compare to his homeland Romans. Simaqian, Herodotus, and Tacitus all described “Barbarians” and also portrayed the difference between “outsiders” and “insiders”. However, these authors are “insiders,” and I did not analyze this topic from the outsider’s perspective. Further research and evidence will discover this topic more deeply.

References

1. SimaQian. (207 BCE). The Mystery of the Xiongnu Empire. In L. Ming (Ed.), Ancient Chronicles of the East (pp. 287-301). Silk Road Publishing.
2. Herodotus. (440 BCE). Exploring the Unknown: Tales of the Scythians. In A. Themistocles (Ed.), Tales of the World: A Hellenistic Collection (pp. 269-275). Athena Press.
3. Tacitus. (98 AD). Beyond the Roman Empire: An Ode to Germania. In M. Lucius (Ed.), Empires and Barbarians: A Roman Compilation (specific page range for Tacitus, e.g., pp. 38-52). Imperial Books.

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