The term “barbarian” originated from the ancient Greeks, who used it to refer to people who couldn’t speak Greek. This included various cultures, such as the Persians, Medes, Egyptians, and Phoenicians. The word “barbarian” comes from the Greek word “bárbaros,” which means “babbler.”

To the Greeks, foreign languages sounded like incomprehensible babbling, hence the term “barbarian.” It was believed that these languages sounded repetitive sounds such as “bar..bar..” to Greek speakers, hence the name. Greek writers described foreign languages as gibberish, sounding unintelligible to them.

This term highlights how language and communication played a significant role in shaping ancient perceptions of other cultures. It also reflects the Greeks’ sense of cultural superiority, as they considered those who couldn’t speak Greek as lesser or uncivilized.

The term “barbarian” significantly evolved meaning, particularly during the late Roman Empire. Initially, the ancient Romans themselves were considered barbarians by the term’s original definition. However, as the Roman Empire expanded and encountered various foreign cultures, the term took on a new connotation.

In the later years of the Roman Empire, the term “barbarian” took on a broader meaning, encompassing all foreigners who did not adhere to Greek and Roman customs and traditions. This designation extended to various tribal groups and military forces that threatened the Roman Empire’s borders. It’s crucial to understand that the term “barbarian” did not refer to a single unified group; rather, it encompassed diverse tribes and peoples. Among these were notable groups like the Goths, Vandals, Saxons, Huns, and Picts, each with distinct identities and cultures.

These tribes often shifted alliances or even fought alongside Roman forces against other barbarian armies. The term “barbarian” thus became associated with external enemies who threatened established civilizations like ancient China or Rome. Later, scholars expanded on this word usage when discussing attacks on cultures considered “civilizations” by external forces that did not share the same traditions or societal structures. This term’s evolution highlights the complex interactions and perceptions between different cultures throughout history.

Origin of the word

The term “barbarian” has ancient roots and was inscribed on clay tablets discovered at Pylos, a prominent Mycenaean city in ancient Greece. These tablets suggest that the term refers to people outside the city, indicating its early association with outsiders or non-residents.

Some scholars propose that the origin of the word “barbarian” may stem from an attempt to mimic the sound of non-Greek languages, potentially portraying them as unintelligible or foreign to Greek speakers. This theory suggests that to Greek ears, non-Greeks’ speech might have sounded like “bar-bar,” hence the term “barbarian.”

By the archaic period, around 2,700 years ago, the term had acquired a specific linguistic meaning: those who did not speak Greek were labeled “Barbarians.” This linguistic distinction between Greeks and non-Greeks became a significant aspect of ancient Greek identity and cultural perception.

Overall, the term “barbarian” carried linguistic connotations in ancient Greece, reflecting the cultural and linguistic boundaries that defined Greek identity and its perception of outsiders.