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Georgievsky, E. V. On the Question About Socio-Political and Cultural-Religious Grounds of Ancient German Genesis of Criminal Law

Abstract: The subject under review is the historical process of the genesis of criminal law in Ancient German tribes prior to the formation of the fi rst Barbarian kingdoms of the Merovingian epoch. The grounds for that genesis of law were the combination of socio-political and cultural-religious features of the seminomadic style of life and everyday life of Ancient Germans, their hostility, love for freedom and ‘the rule of force’. Peculiarities of community-based organizations and poetical mythopoetic refl ection of the surrounding world, combined as one whole, led to the formation of a completely different legal perception of Germans of the times of Caesar and Tacitus. The researcher uses the particular historical research method which is based on the analysis and scientifi c interpretation of historical and legal materials. Appearance of Ancient German tribes on the historical scene was caused by their migration and change of the territory which, in its turn, inevitably led to military collusions with the native population of conquered lands. This is where the rule of force comes from. The rule of force creates a special image of a warrior who underwent the initiation procedure and became a free legal entity. A captured enemy is an alien and not only an enemy but also a criminal who deserves the most severe punishment for showing resistance. The 'rule of force' and the 'right of war' are sanctioned by the supreme anthropomorphic gods who are close and understandable and therefore worthy of respect or blame. However, a heroic enemy sometimes can be worthy of respect too. The freedom of a legal entity is expressed in his right to fully participate in public life and decision making process regarding war and peace and justice. Even though the legal side of public life was not viewed as an individual sphere, it was invariant and at the same time simple and easy to understand for everyone. Legal customs were mostly formed by the social and political structure of the Ancient German society and at the same time they were inextricably entwined with religion which was susceptible to transformation, too. In many ways, the nature of the law genesis of Ancient Germans had a criminal law aspect because it was inseparably related to the solution of the most important issues (death, life, honor and blood feud) which had been initially referred to that sphere of legal regulation all over the world.


Keywords:

law genesis, Ancient Germany, war, captive (prisoner), victim, Gauls, religion, mythology, opposition, Christianity.


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