Crimean Goths

Map of Gothia – territory of the Crimean Goths

The Crimean Goths were Greuthungi-Gothic tribes or Western Germanic tribes that bore the name Gothi, a title applied to various Germanic tribes that remained in the lands around the Black Sea, especially in Crimea. They were the longest-lasting of the Gothic communities. Their existence is well attested through the ages, though the exact period when they ceased to exist as a distinct culture is unknown; as with the Goths in general, they may have become diffused among the surrounding peoples. In his Fourth Turkish letter, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq (1522–1592) describes them as "a warlike people, who to this day inhabit many villages".[1]

However, in the 5th century, the Ostrogothic ruler Theodoric the Great failed to rouse Crimean Goths to support his 488–493 war in Italy.[2][3] Aside from textual reports of the existence of the Goths in Crimea, both first- and second-hand, from as early as 850,[4] numerous archaeological sites also exist, including the ruins of the former capital city of the Crimean Goths: Doros (present-day Mangup). Furthermore, numerous articles of jewellery, weaponry, shields, buttons, pins, and small personal artefacts on display in museums in Crimea and in the British Museum have led to a better understanding of Crimean Gothia.

  1. ^ de Busbecq, Ogier Ghiselin (1968) [1927]. "The Fourth Letter". In Foster, Edward Seymour (ed.). The Turkish Letters of Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, Imperial Ambassador at Constantinople, 1554–1562. Oxford reprints. Translated by Foster, Edward Seymour (reprint ed.). Clarendon Press. pp. 201–202. Retrieved 13 December 2022. When I asked him about the nature and habits of these people, he gave the sort of replies that I expected. He said that the tribe was warlike and at the present day occupied numerous villages. [...] Their chief towns were Mancup and Scivarin.
  2. ^ Wolfram, Herwig (1990) [1979]. History of the Goths. European history/Medieval studies/Classical studies. Translated by Dunlap, Thomas (revised ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780520069831. Retrieved 13 December 2022. Theodoric the Great wished the Crimean Goths to join his army on the march to Italy, but they declined with thanks.
  3. ^ Wolfram 1988, pp. 271–280
  4. ^ Vasiliev 1936, p. 114