Were Germanic peoples in Roman Times hunter-gatherers? or They produced food by agriculture? ?

Question

Anyone knows this? Wikipedia doesn't explain this. Before migration period (around 1-4th century), was Germanic people hunter-gather? Or they had agriculture??

Answer 1

in the early years they were definitely hunter-gatherers for the most part. they were quite barbaric compared to the Romans. this is Why is was such an embarrassment when (i think it was Ceaser) sent his forces into the German woods, by they were slaughtered by what the Romans saw as being primitive barbarians.  (they were slaughtered because their fighting style, weapons an armour did not fit the terrain... but i wont get into that)

Answer 2

The worst thing you could use is Wikipedia.

Answer 3

They were actively involved in agriculture and animal husbandry in addition to hunting for wild animals.

Answer 4

For much of the Empire the frontier was quite porous, allowing Romans to trade with the Germans and vice versa.  The leader of the Germans at the battle of the Teuterbergerwald had spent many years in Rome.  His Roman name was Arminius.  This was not unusual.  There was a lot of interplay between Germans and Romans, and close to the border their civilisations were indistinguishable.

Germans led a settled life, raising crops and livestock.  They engaged in their great migrations only because of pressure from other peoples.  The Germanic kingdoms in north Italy, after the fall of the Western Empire were highly cultured and civilised.

Answer 5

Well, they definitelly were Hunters and Gatherers.  They were an Iron Age Society.