Expert: Francesco Marchesani - 7/5/2005

Question
Hi Francesco,

This is facinating what you are saying. Let me see if I am following what you are saying:

1) Are you saying the early Scandinavians were originally Goths and these Goths fled from the Russian steppes and traveled to Eastern and Northern Europe (around Germany)and some of the Goths also traveled to Scandinavia in order to escape from Mongols or Huns?

2) Also are you saying the Goths are actually the origin of all Germanic people whether they live in Germany or Scandinavia?     

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Followup To
Question -
Hi,

Where did the Norwegians come from? I have read some accounts saying the Norwegians came from the Goths and other accounts saying they came from the Trojans. I'm getting real confused. Could you please help me so I can explain it to my kids who asked me this question? Also if you have any idea how the Norwegians ended up so far North and if they are related to the Swedes and Danes?    
Answer -
Hello,
the Norwegians are part of the so-called Scandinavian branch of the Germanic people: they, alongside with Danes and Swedes, originated from the central plains of Asia (modern day Russian steppes) and migrated to eastern Europe and subsequently to northern Europe, under pressure by nomadic tribes moving from Mongolia. The Goths were a tribe divided into many subtribes (Ostrogoths, Visigoths etc.) who settled in southern Sweden (the Swedish island of Gotland still bears their name) before invading the western regions of Europe.
The Trojan theory has arised recently, from the studies of a few scholars who found geographic similarities between the Baltic Sea and the description of the Troy's area by Homer; however, there's no archeological or historical proof of this.
The Norwegians, Danes and Swedes are closely related: they have shared centuries of common history (they have even been part of the same kingdom) and share nowadays their culture and many similarities in their own languages.

Answer
Hello again,

1) Yes, the Goths were probably part of the prehistorical populations that migrated from the Russian steppes to central and northern Europe, living there for centuries; from Scandinavia, the Goths moved back to the European plains during the 2nd century AD, and were subsequently pushed by the Huns westward, to invade the Roman empire.

2)no, the Goths are not the origin of all the German and Scandinavian peoples: they only share some common traits, language similarities, and a probable common ancestor.

This map shows the locations of the barbarian tribes that invaded the Roman empire, including the Goths.

http://my.fit.edu/~rosiene/barbarians.jpg