Getica facts for kids
Getica is a very important book written by a historian named Jordanes in the year 551. Its full name, De origine actibusque Getarum, means "About the origin and deeds of the Getae." The Getae were another name for the Goths, a powerful ancient people.
Jordanes didn't write this book from scratch. He summarized a much bigger work by Cassiodorus called Libri XII De Rebus Gestis Gothorum. This long title means "Twelve books about the things the Goths did." Sadly, Cassiodorus's original twelve books are now lost. This makes Jordanes's Getica super important because it's the only book from that time that tells us about the Goths while they were still around.
The Goths' Ancient Journey
According to Getica, the Goths originally came from a region called Scandinavia. This area includes countries like Sweden and Norway today. From Scandinavia, the Goths traveled and eventually settled around a place that is now the city of Danzig.
Connecting History with Archaeology
Historians and archaeologists believe that the Goths' settlement near modern-day Danzig matches an ancient culture known as the Wielbark culture. This culture existed in the same area during the time the Goths were said to be there. This connection helps us understand more about the Goths' early history.
Images for kids
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The title of the Getica as it appears in a 9th-century manuscript of Lorsch Abbey now in the Vatican Library
See also
In Spanish: Getica para niños
