Showing posts with label Tacitus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tacitus. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 8, 1977

Bavaria notes, 1977, drawing of Maximillian


This piece is not edited. It is a placeholder. So read at your own peril. Maybe someday I will clean it up. About the only thing cool about the class was that I did a drawing of Maximillian. The German teacher, Gisela Jungling used to acres of slides to teach, so it was very disjointed, as are my notes.

She taught about the foundation of all the cities of Bavaria, then progressed to every single war fought in Bavaria, including the reformation, etc. In other words, it was mostly a history class versus a culture class. The final was June 1, 1978. Several other SSU foreign language teachers were more successful at teaching regional and cultural classes. Marguerite Pendergast, and Adele F ? who taught me calligraphy, were great. —MH 2023

What is called Germany today lies across a path of every invasion originating in the tremendous open areas of Asia minor, from the earliest Celtic and teutonic tribes, the Arabs, the turks the slavic, and the Magyar. From the Mediterranean Latin to the Alpine, they all settled in Germany, so Germany is racially and culturally mixed like all other European nations. The Arian or Nordic type doesn’t necessarily exist in Bavaria and many people have dark hair, brown eyes round skull types.

The Roman establish trading post far beyond the Rhine, and it was from them that much of the information came from the historian. Tacitus, Germanía was the first historical account of Germanic tribes: Goths, Vandals, Franks, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Slavic, especially the Huns of the 5th century. 800

Charlemagne established Western control of Germany, and Christianity was introduced to the heathen Saxons, who accepted it only under compulsion. Arts and letters flourished, and a school system was set up. (Insert story of Johannus Scotus Eriugena, aka John the Scott.)

The disposition of the German people can be traced back to historical constellations of the great migrations. It is there that the character and destiny of the German people originated in the encounter of barbarian Germanic tribes, with the highest civilizations of the epoch, the Roman empire.

Everything that is happening in Germany, since then, can be viewed as a consequence of this fateful encounter.

The culture in the land before the Germans came, the word Germania is a Latin loan word of Celtic origin used in Hellenistic and Roman sources, Tacitus. The Teutoni were a Celtic rather than a Germanic tribe. Second century BC Romans.

Then the teacher gave a list of all the important cities of Bavaria, and talked about their attitude, which I will not go into too much. Other than Augsburg was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago. While Regensburg was founded by the Celts. (oppida). It was called Castro Regina. Most of the city lists date back from when the Gothic cathedrals were built and I am less interested in that. Porsche Pretoria is a Roman gate built in 179 a A.D. Regensburg was a Celtic town taken over by the Romans 2000 years ago. RadasBona. Romans built the fortress Castro Regina.

Bavarian tribes migrated there in the sixth century and made it the seat of their dukedom. In the middle ages, it became the seat of the Carolinian monarchy and an imperial commercial center. Costa Regina has the oldest city charter in Germany.

In Regensburg, a 12th century Roman church was built by Scottish and Irish monks. (How much you wanna bet it was only Irish monks and not Scottish monks? There is always confusion because of the word Scotia minor in Scotia major.) The north portal Christians and pagan motifs are intermixed.

Wurtzberg was inhabited for by Celts for thousands of years. German tribes, Irish monk Killian was an apostle of the franks.

Albrecht Durer’s home was Nurenberg he was born 1471 to 1528. he was a painter, and an engraver, he was third of 18 children of Goldsmith Albert the elder. He was brought up in Goldsmith, but in 1486 he entered the school of Michael Wolf and toured abroad in 1490. 1494 he returned to Nurenberg to an arranged marriage, quite possibly an unhappy marriage. He took two journeys to Venice in 1495 and 1505 to 1507 the second visit was fruitful, feast of the rosary, Adam and Eve, massacre of 10,000 Christians 1508, virgin Trinity, 1514 he

He was under the service of the Maximillion from 1520 to 21 and he went to Netherlands to attain continuance of a pension granted by Maximilian. He returned to Nurenberg and worked increasingly until his death. He was less of a painter than a designer with scientific theories combined to create superb studies he was number one as a copper engraver and wood cutter his apocalypse series 1497 life of the virgin and publish books on human proportions are stellar.

The reformation 30 years war, formal religion was abandoned, the rise of Protestantism and monasteries were secularized and property seized and used for schools. Reformation was considered revitalizing religion. The revolt of the peasant, turmoils squelched, continued as before the Dukes were again, and power and measures were taken against protestants.

Wilhelm, counter reformation council of Trent Catholicism, reestablished and nonbelievers were re-removed. Albrecht the fifth clergy and religious renewal Catholic Bavarian became Catholic Wilhelm the fifth was a patron of the arts of buildings and music during the Renaissance, he collected people and founded the Jesuit church of Saint Michael, the first great churches of northern Italy and Munich Renaissance style—no towers or statues of ruling family in the façade no naves, pillars alter was the main focal point.

Albert 5 built museum and went bankrupt religious from 1618 to 48 was a 30 years war and that was the Hapsburg versus member states and became an international war on German ground. Spain and France, Denmark, Sweden Austria, all were involved. 


Maximilian was Duke and Bavaria was bankrupt, somehow he lifted it out of bankruptcy and increased power in the Catholic role protestant union he developed a modern army…something called battle of the white mountain, which he won.

He received Swedish king Gustav, Aldolphus lands in Germany in 1631 and Munich once begin again, became protestant with new Nurenberg in 1632 the siege, drained it of all of its wealth and collapsed into despair, France entered the war and there was a great fear of the Hapsburg family. No wonder treaty of Westphalia.

Germany was shattered and more than half the people lost to war from 17,000,000 to 4,000,000 it was politically cut into pieces and Maximillian tried economical reconstruction to pay off the ward debt.

He hated war and believed in the Roman Empire, and that Catholicism would have died in Germany and Austria without him. That’s one reason why he’s called Maximillian the great to support the arts through the 30 years war, mainly architecture and then it goes into Baroque and Rococo, so not my favorite things neoclassicism so Maximillian lost his land to the Hapsburg.

There’s another peasant uprising and 1705 the land was given back to the Italian Jesuits Baroque style Gateway to Regency style of Baroque, what I always called Barocco, lots of name dropping, which means very little to me even though I did go to Trier on the Bavarian Alsace border.

Now we’re up to the French revolution, three coalitions, Austria, Prussia, and France and the pinite the princes were vacated to the Rhine, the tried to stay neutral the various could not remain neutral because it was surrounded by Austria alliance with France and it was divided up terribly and it became a kingdom of France and 1806 was known a pretty sight.

It certainly explains a lot how Hitler came to power the factions through the 1800s set the scene battle of Leipzig, 1866 Salzburg 1846 Napoleon really marched through there the secularization of the monitor and 1803 filled the state coffers, which were empty 50% of Bavarian land belong to the church so it was politically feasible to secularize, but it was done with a vengeance churches were ransacked, and the only people who profited from this were the noble classes.

Culture disappeared, and it became an age of darkness. Ludwig I reopened many of the spiritual centers, but much was destroyed. Feudalism was abolished. it was forbidden for people to continue their religious customs because it encourages the credibility of the people. Ruthless handling of this matter he wanted to see more work less holidays. The old you will work and you will like it right there.

here’s an interesting tidbit, he built Valhalla in the hall of liberation and became less popular after 1837 political censorship was imposed.

Lola Montez! appeared, and Ludwig became infatuated with her which brought the collapse of the kingdom, and he was forced to abdicate to his son, Maximillion the second, he died in Nice and his grandson brought him back to Munich where he was re-buried.

Maximillian the second reformed Bavaria with liberal intellectualism something called the ministry of Dawn reforms, freedom of the Press removal of feudalism voting parliament 1848 first German parliament in Frankfurt and it looks like it was still part of Austria at this point not resolve versus Prussia, sided with Austria, which was not a popular move, separation of judicial and legislative powers.

Maxamillion the second was a scholar, introspective Moody scientific tastes, industrial development, postal telegraph, the Bavarian Alps and purchased a castle. He loved the legend of Percival and he rebuilt it on a Germanic trope. Munich artists were employed. I have a drawing of I guess him. Which I will include.

Lola Montez was a dancer and she said she learned to dance from the gypsies. But she came from Ireland. She fled to Bavaria, because she wasn’t allowed to dance in Munich. She held political sway over Ludwig. And the Jesuit spread rumors and war and were afraid for his loose morals.

The Jesuits were in political power, and Lola felt that the clergy shouldn’t have that kind of power. Ludwig was only interested in artistic endeavors and didn’t really care about political intrigues, but he did listen to Lola. She ousted the Jesuits within a period of eight weeks and had complete control of Ludwig, and the people became afraid of her and her Republican ideals.

The Jesuit political party tried to slander her and rioting ensued. She was forced to flee from Munich to Switzerland and England. However, she changed the whole government of Bavaria.

Was she sent by Erasmus to overthrow the Jesuit government? I very much doubt it, considering that she was from Ireland. This is the teachers conjecture.

Ludwig saved Wagner‘s music and lived in his own dreamworld. Wagner brought back his childhood memories, mythology that dreamworld that captivated him. Wagner was ordered to be banished from the kingdom, and Ludwig refused. There were many attacks on Wagner and fear of Republicanism. Wagner fled to Switzerland. Ludwig started building a crazy castle. Of course today Wagner is revered in Bavaria.

War of 1866 three weeks war German against German in the Prussians one versus Austria expulsion of Austria 1866 and Deutsche bond the German confederation. had to pay for siding with Austria. General Bismarck wanted to join the North German band with Prussia and he needed Bavaria to control Austria so very was given many privileges since the control of the army during peace time was pertinent.

Foreign policy to Bismark, seven weeks war….Lord, how many wars…. Bavarian army had to march against France and one Bismarck had Ludwig offer the emperors crown to the Kaiser Wilhelm to be emperor of Germany. Ludwig was paid by Bismarck for this favor.

(Note: Charles McGeehan, who I worked with Amsterdam in 1990 was related to emperor Wilhelm).

Bismarck had respect for Ludwig and Bismarck tried to counsel him before his death. Ludwig was proclaimed insane without any medical proof or incriminating evidence was handed in 1870 he was incapable of caring on the kingship, and his brother died insane. The secret about his death caused a scandal conspiracy and his family called him and say was he killed he became an idol for the Bavarians.

Folklore December 6, Saint Nicholas, celebrated on 5 December 12 little straw bundles lady of the house sprays them with holy water so the 13th bundle can’t get in. That’s the devil they scared bad children. Boys dressed in girls clothing to fool the scary. The perch and the horned beak monsters who chase monsters with bells. The bell movers middle world procession, carrying bells that way 150 pounds around their waist they represent Winter and the leader carries hoops of feathers.

Easter trees with eggs hung from the town Plaza. St. George’s day riding in medieval pageantry. He was supposed to bless the horses in spring. There was sword, dancing, and symbols of chasing away winter. The Pentecost ride through the Bavarian forest is similar. They made three circles around the chapel carrying chains 40 days after Easter. Maypoles dancing, festivals music stealing of the Maypole by neighboring villages. You had to get your maypole back and it was paid in beer and ceremoniously brought back with a procession.

There were women’s possessions and feast of Corpus Christi after Pentecost bread, incense, bells, houses were decorated, they were altars decorated with flowers and bells.

Octoberfest was full parade for Sunday in October the last fall festival of Saint Leonard, the saint of the mentally ill. Hence the use of chains, it was reinterpreted for animals, especially cows and horses. Chocked or costumes were worn at every festival.

The Maybach or the May goat in Munich the first two weeks in May

Passion plays staged outdoors Every 10 years. The largest festival in Germany was a princely wedding of Lance hut. middle ages costumes held every three years 10 fires horses. Example of medieval lies constant costume shows.

Passion plays started after the 30 years war, plague was raging, and if they saved if they were saved, they put it on every 10 years, and 1634 they produce passion plays from May to September with 83 performances.

It used to be held in cemeteries before his stage was built nine years of rehearsal and preparation took at one and a half years and only natives were eligible to act in the passion plays.

Dialect help to keep old songs alive until recently, but music has become bastardized bastardized in modern times both offensive and erotic elements are suppressed. Dialogue changed.

Yodeling connected with the Alpine regions, special alms to past produces rich cheeses, and butter. ( I wonder if that has something to do with transhumance center. Bua, or boy Shepherd, because we know that buachaill means herdboy in Irish.

Germans yodel in Bavaria and Switzerland so it’s an alpine tradition. That would explain the Celtic hangover.

A couple would sing to announce a dance in 3/4 time heavy slow motion with emphasis on each measure rhythm is affected. Words are forced into rhythmic patterns, Jews harps were used very music,

There are several mentions of Louis Crannoch the younger born in Bamberg in 1472 and engraver, who learned from his father, a court painter in Wittenberg, under Frederick, the wise book printing prayer, book court, painting, commemorative battles, especially the battle of Nuremberg 1547 he was imprisoned in Oxford, and set free in 1552 and died in 53.

He was considered a painter of the German reformation with religious influence, not as intellectual as Durer or Holbein, he was naïve painter his judgment of Paris, warm colors mostly wood, cuts with religious themes. He studied under his father. I said that similar style to his father, he was also a Burgermeister of Wittenberg Whitten. He made many wood cuts of the Bible.

Another artist Albrecht Eltdorfen, 1480 engraver and painter city architect until his death follow of Dora, possibly a huge pupil Known as little Albert or petty Albert no Italian influence not influenced by the Renaissance of landscape pieces and scenery of over people that was a huge move.

And then I have Baroque the age of light from 1600 to 1750. It probably was my paper.

Baroque was a phrase attacked onto the last phase of the renaissance era following mannerism. Baroque summed up the different trends since the 15th century. People were more enlightened and new ideas and discoveries that had brought the medieval world to a close, no longer shocked them. Europe was more prosperous and powerful, except for Germany and Italy the Renaissance was the era of the scientist and the humanist. There are no more genius renaissance men like the roar and da Vinci, who opened up a whole new field of knowledge at once in science, philosophy, and art. This becomes the age of the specialist, like Newton and Galileo, who laid the foundation of the technical marvels of their day.

Baroque was an international style during that time scientific and philosophical thought, became too complex, abstract, and systematic for one person to absorb at a time so specialists evolved.pro is not a result of political, religious or intellectual developments. It is a 
baroque art, acknowledges intellectual, no sharp distinctions between sculpture and painting, and enters a symbiosis previously unknown with architecture to form a compound illusion like a stage. All the world of stage. The human every day approach to religious art that Caravaggio adopted in Italy, had been been long part of the northern arts since Gothic times. In Bavaria best known for its architecture, because of the 30 years war, the number of buildings were small but in the 1690s saw period of intense activity that lasted 50 years and created some of the most innovative creations buildings in the history of architecture. 1745 to 54 Dominicus Zimmerman created what may be the finest spatial design of the mid 19th century in Bavaria the exterior and of the interior are overwhelming.

Gisela Jungling was such an incredibly boring teacher that my note showed. She used to slides to teach, so it was very disjointed as are my notes, the final was June 1, 1978