Originally a Greek and Roman term for foreigners who didn't speak Greek or Latin, later used more broadly to describe peoples considered uncivilized or culturally inferior.
From Greek 'barbaros,' an onomatopoeia mimicking foreign speech that sounded like 'bar-bar' to Greek ears. Romans adopted the term, and it gradually shifted from meaning 'foreign' to 'uncivilized' or 'savage.'
The word 'barbarian' reveals ancient prejudices about language and culture—Greeks literally thought foreign languages sounded like meaningless babbling! Many so-called 'barbarian' peoples like the Goths and Vandals were actually quite sophisticated, often serving in Roman armies and adopting Roman customs before eventually conquering Roman territories.
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