Roman views of \'Barbarians\'

[sonic]

There just might be some interesting insights on this subject on Guy Halsall`s "Barbarian Migrations an the Roman West 376-568". It is a great and a refreshing book indeed!

Halsall claims that the "barbarian fashions" spread first and foremost to the army and from there to other levels of society. The military structure of the west just collapsed and the barbarian contingents / allies of the roman army simply replaced it. It is perhaps a crude oversimplification to say that it left the "barbarians" in control of the army and the "romans" as administrators and tax-payers. Halsall also says that the barbarian identity become so fashionable that even some romans adopted germanic names, which is completely new to me! The same kind of process is perhaps working behind the changes in fashion too?

Does Halsall give examples/references for his claims about Romans adopting Germanic names? What annoys me is that writers often make these claims and then give no evidence for it: which leaves you wondering whether it is something they want to see, not reality.

My cynicism is coming out again!!