Der Mythos vom 'germanischen' Königtum

This study deals with the origins of kingship among the Germanic speaking barbarians. Its starting point is a long overdue methodical review of the old view that the kingship of the Migration Period is to be regarded as a kingship based on military power and distinguished from an older, sacral based popular kingship. On the basis of recent research and archaeological evidence a new perspective of the development of power forms within the barbarian societies is expounded.