thumb|400px|Approximate positions of some major Suebi peoples in the early 2nd century, in purple

The Hermunduri, Hermanduri, Hermunduli, Hermonduri, or Hermonduli were an ancient Germanic tribe, who occupied an inland area near the source of the Elbe river, around what is now Bohemia from the first to the third century, though they have also been speculatively associate with Thuringia further north. According to an old proposal based on the similarity of the names, the Thuringii may have been the descendants of the Hermunduri. At times, they apparently moved to the Danube frontier with Rome. Claudius Ptolemy mentions neither tribe in his geography but instead the Teuriochaemae, who may also be connected to both.

History

Cassius Dio first reports that in the year 7 BC, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, "while still governing the districts along the Ister [Danube], had intercepted the Hermunduri, a tribe which for some reason or other had left their own land and were wandering about in quest of another, and he had settled them in a part of the Marcomannian territory"; then he had crossed the Albis [Elbe river], meeting with no opposition, had made a friendly alliance with the barbarians on the further side, and had set up an altar to Augustus on the bank of the river.

Pliny the elder, in his Historia Naturalis, lists the Hermunduri as one of the nations of the Hermiones, all descended from the same line of descent from Mannus. In the same category he places the Chatti, Cherusci, and Suebi. Around 50 AD, allied with Vannius' nephews Vangio and Sido and allied Lugii, Vibilius led the deposition of Vannius as well. This has been argued against by other scholars such as Matthias Springer.

Kings of the Hermunduri

  • Vibilius, c. 18 - c. 50

See also

  • Herminones
  • Armalausi
  • Alamanni
  • List of Germanic peoples
  • The Collection of Pre- and Protohistoric Artifacts at the University of Jena

References

Sources

  • Tacitus, Germania.XLI