My Question from my Christian perspective: What Made Our Ancestors So Strong?

Yes, I am Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ is our savior. I am actually in the process of converting to the orthodox version of christianity. Also, I am struggling. Not in my belief, but in the wisdom I have acquired through all the years and from different sources about our ancestors. 

Among the many Germanic tribes of antiquity, the Cimbri stand out for their resilience despite apparent nutritional and environmental hardships. This article investigates the factors contributing to their mental and physical fortitude, focusing on their diet, belief systems, and use of herbal remedies.

What.Made.Our.Ancestors.So.Strong?

When we look back at our ancestors, which is challenging in itself, as the Germanic people were divided and had different traditions, knowledge strength and weaknesses.. even if they fit under the same framework and had much in common the diversity in common traditions, knowledge and belief varied. For this article, I chose to start with a  tribe close to the norse people in Scandinavia.. or even part of the norse people, particularly the Cimbri (120 BCE and 101 BCE), one question that I want to investigate today is: What made the Cimbri (known for their high resilience, even if low on correct nutrition) so mentally and physically strong? 

You might ask, what so special about that?

Well, on top of their impressive fights against the romans, and other tribes, while not having the right amount of nutrition is what made them strong. Despite the modern science that tells us we need A-Z to stay strong but in todays world, we often fail. Depression, Anxiety, veganism, carnivore or other modern dietary practices have diversified significantly, yet our ancestors managed resilience without contemporary nutritional frameworks.

• The Cimbri (German: Kimbern, Danish: Kimbrere) were originally from the Jutland Peninsula, which is present-day northern Denmark and possibly parts of northern Germany. The Cimbri were a Germanic tribe known for their migration (flood and starvation) and eventual clashes with Rome, particularly during the late 2nd century BCE. The migration was not total, however the clear majority was migrating. The numbers are expected to be around 100k-300k. (This figure is often debated among historians.) - Which for that time period, was more than massive. They had two encounters with the Roman Legions. The first one, which was almost fatal to the Roman army, luckely for the romans, a thunder started while the Cimbri’s hunted the scattered Roman army. They believed that Thor was angry with them, so they stopped hunting them down after a crushing defeat. Later, this had to prove as a fatal idea, as five years later, the Romans defeated the migrated part of the Cimbri so hard, that their remaining wifes which was not part of the battle, killed their children and finally them self. A devastating end for the migrated part of the Cimbris. 

From what we know, their diet was far from sophisticated. Their meals were simple—what we might call “Brei” in German, a kind of porridge. In Old Norse and its descendant languages—Icelandic (grautur), Norwegian (grøt), Swedish (gröt), and Danish (grød) —porridge, or grautr, was a staple of the ancient diet.—and they even ate raw meat, much like wild boars. Their knowledge of how to prepare for winter was equally basic. They lived day by day, without much planning for the colder months, which often led to hardship and yearly critically starvations.

Archaeological findings confirm this. In Denmark and northern Germany, skeletons of young individuals, such as a 14-year-old girl, show clear signs of repeated starvation. The markings in her bones reveal that she endured at least twelve periods of hunger in her short life. So, while food provided basic sustenance, it clearly wasn’t the key to their resilience. I believe, it contributed to make them stronger for sure, but not the key. 

Having explored the dietary practices of the Cimbri, we turn now to their belief systems, which provided a mental framework for endurance and strength

In the Norse culture, two deeply rooted concepts shaped the lives and values of individuals: Drengr and Orðstírr. These principles went beyond mere survival and resonated with a sense of purpose, honor, and legacy. Also, I want to highlight that this is more part of the later norse mindset. However, we can see a clear line into the germanic gods and their purposes aline well with this mindset. Let us call it specualitve rather than definitive! 

If you want to deep dive into the realm of Viking Battle mentality, I strongly recommend; https://www.amazon.se/Men-Terror-Comprehensive-Analysis-Viking/dp/159416360X

Honestly, this is another article in it self but here is a quick course: 

The word “drengr” originally referred to a brave and honorable warrior or person of high moral standing. To be a drengr was not simply to fight well but to live a life of courage, fairness, and steadfast dedication to one’s values. It denoted a person who embraced challenges, upheld their word, and acted with integrity in the face of adversity.

In the Viking sagas, the term expanded to symbolize a way of life. A drengr was someone who:

• Showed bravery in battle but also fairness in judgment.
• Pursued excellence in all endeavors, from fighting to farming.
• Maintained loyalty to their kin and community.

Orðstírr: The Legacy of Reputation

If drengr was the way one lived, Orðstírr (meaning “word-glory” or “fame”) was what one left behind. For the Norse, reputation was eternal, outliving the body and resonating through time. To achieve orðstírr meant ensuring your deeds, whether heroic or wise, would be remembered and spoken of for generations.

The Norse worldview often saw death as inevitable but the chance to leave a name worth remembering as a form of immortality. This belief is encapsulated in the Hávamál:

“Cattle die, kinsmen die,

Every man is mortal:

But the good name never dies

Of one who has done well.”

Orðstírr was earned through acts of courage, generosity, and adherence to one’s word. A person who lived as a drengr would naturally earn a positive orðstírr.

Last but most important for me, the herbal remedies. 

One interesting fact is that our ancestors where the worst in documenting their daily life for us. Whilst Romans documented everything, we still did not have runes until 150-200 years after the start of the Cimbri. 

The question then remains, how do we actually investigate further into the deep ancient secular knowledge of our ancestors herbal remedies? 

Well.. this will be like a puzzle. One good example of a hint is the Roman historian Tacitus, who wrote about the Germanic tribes in his work “Germania.” He mentioned their use of simple herbal remedies and their deep connection to nature. However, he didn’t go into specific details about which herbs they used, only that herbs where important. 

The next step is to check for the earliest sources on herbal remedies in Germanic or Viking history that gives us a clue for further investigations. This example comes from various medieval texts, like the Lacnunga and the Leechbook of Bald, which date from around the 9th to 10th centuries. These texts often combine Christian elements with older pagan practices. This is the kind of information we want. As information from our ancestors where given orally only, first when christianity entered Europe, we started to write down the paganistic knowledge. 

The “Nine Herbs Charm” is believed to have been written by Anglo-Saxon scribes, likely within monastic settings in England during the 10th century. The start of the end of the Viking-Age. The text shows a mix of Christian and pagan traditions, which suggests it was shaped by different cultural beliefs and practices coming together.The text reflects a blend of Christian and pagan traditions, suggesting that it was influenced by various cultural beliefs and practices. The Vikings’ presence in England during this time likely contributed to this syncretism, blending Norse and Anglo-Saxon herbal knowledge and spiritual beliefs. This cross-cultural exchange could be a clue to understanding the origins and influences behind such texts.

This part: ”The Nine Herbs Charm”, known as Nigon Wyrta Galdor, is a healing spell from the 10th century found in the Lacnunga manuscript. It lists nine plants: mugwort, plantain, lamb’s cress, betony, chamomile, nettle, crab apple, chervil, and fennel. The charm combines pagan and Christian elements, invoking the god Woden to combat poisons and infections. It highlights the blend of spiritual and practical healing practices in early medieval England.

All this is included in the ”The Lacnunga”, meaning ‘Remedies’ in Old English, is a collection of Anglo-Saxon medical texts and prayers. Created in the late 10th or early 11th century, it includes herbal remedies, charms, and prayers in both Old English and Latin. Again, this is from another period. I want to highlight that this is more specualtive rather than definitive, and is used in our investigation as a puzzle part or a clue. 

Here we have a pretty close resource, that gives us a hint of what our ancestors used that might have strengthen them. 

Another interesting puzzle piece is the part where Culpepers in this book ”Culpepers Herbal” (1600 AD) writes about the herb ”Angelica”. 

Here is a piece out of his book: 

"In time of Heathenism, when men had

found out any excellent herb, they dedi-

cated it to their gods; as the Bay-tree to

Apollo, the Oak to Jupiter, the Vine to

Bacchus, the Poplar to Hercules. These

the Papists following as the Patriarchs they

dedicate to their Saints ; as our Lady's This-

tle to the Blessed Virgin, St. John's Wort

to St. John, and another Wort to St. Peter"

Interesting and a very good observation from our old friend from the 16 century. 

Interpretatio Christiana

During the transition from paganism to Christianity in Europe, herbal knowledge and practices often adapted and survived by being integrated into the new Christian framework. Early Christian missionaries often appropriated local customs and beliefs to make the faith more acceptable. This process is sometimes called “Interpretatio Christiana,” where pagan elements were given new Christian meanings. (Therefor my conversion to Orthodox Christianity as this not is influensed by pagan traditions)

For instance, some herbal practices continued because they were reinterpreted within a Christian context. The role of individuals who held herbal knowledge, like shamans or wise women, often evolved into roles like Christian healers or even monastic figures who preserved some of this knowledge. This adaptation helped maintain a continuity of herbal use through the cultural shift.

Yes Yes, you might say. What are you saying with this!

The tables presented in this article aim to highlight the nutritional potency of herbs compared to fruits and greens. 

I’ve made a short description below:

Recommended Daily Intake (RDI):

• The RDI values for nutrients like Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Protein, and Vitamin A are standardized amounts needed to maintain good health. Deficiencies in these can lead to very serious health issues!
• The tables show how many grams of each food item (herbs or greens) are required to meet the RDI for each nutrient. Lower numbers indicate greater nutritional potency

Fruits and Greens VS Herbs

Herbs

Nutritional Density:

• Herbs are far more nutrient-dense than most greens and fruits. For example:
• To meet the Vitamin C needs of a family of five for winter, they would need around 880 kg of apples versus just 25 kg of thyme.
• This comparison underscores why herbs were historically revered for their healing properties.

It is not surprising to understand how the myths surrounding herbs may have developed. Back in 120 BCE and 101 BCE, the knowledge of essential micro and macronutrients was non existing in the Germanic World. In times, especially in the winter mounths when people endured long periods of starvation, deficiencies in essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin A, and Calcium could become life-threatening. Severe Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, causing fatigue, bleeding gums, and eventual death if untreated. Iron deficiency results in anemia, leading to extreme weakness and a failing immune system. A lack of Vitamin A causes night blindness and increases the risk of infections, while prolonged Calcium deficiency weakens bones, leading to fractures and severe health problems. Devastating to say at least! 

If someone in such a state sought help from a shaman, who prepared a mix of potent herbs rich in these nutrients, the immediate relief they felt the next day could seem miraculous. This would have fostered the belief that only magic, rather than the nutritional potency of herbs, could produce such healing effects. It is easy to see how these experiences contributed to the development of myths and spiritual reverence for herbs in ancient cultures.

So, why do I want to tell you with this?

In ancient times, when nutrient deficiencies were pretty common, herbs provided a concentrated source of essential vitamins and minerals. Imagine it to be like a litteral health potion. A small handful of herbs could deliver what kilograms of greens or fruits might not. Herbs were also easier to store and use during winters when fresh fruits and greens were unavailable. This made them invaluable in ancient diets.

So, even if Tacitus mentioned the fact, that the ancestors of the germanic people where used to lack of nutrition. In his work ”Germania”, he said the following:

“Their country, though somewhat various in appearance, yet generally either bristles with forests or reeks with swamps… It is productive of grain, but unfavorable to fruit-bearing trees; it is rich in flocks and herds, but these are for the most part undersized… Heat and thirst they cannot in the least endure; to cold and hunger their climate and their soil inure them.”

“To cold and hunger their climate and their soil inure them”: This means that their long exposure to cold temperatures and limited food availability hardened them, making them more capable of enduring such hardships compared to other populations. To refer to my own words, it was a big contributor, but not the key to the strength itself. 

https://origin-rh.web.fordham.edu/halsall/source/tacitus1.asp

Final Analysis: The Resilience of the Cimbri and the Role of Herbs

The Cimbri, a Germanic tribe from the Jutland Peninsula, offer a fascinating case study in resilience despite the odds. Their lives were defined by a harsh environment, limited nutrition, and near-constant challenges to survival. Yet they thrived, leaving a legacy of mental and physical strength that invites us to explore the factors that shaped them. 

A Harsh Environment as a Forging Tool

Tacitus observed that the Germanic people were shaped by their environment:

“To cold and hunger their climate and their soil inure them.”

The Cimbri’s land was productive enough for basic sustenance but unsuited for luxury or abundance. Grain was their staple, supplemented by occasional raw meat, but fresh fruits and diverse food sources were scarce. Archaeological evidence, such as skeletons showing signs of repeated starvation, underscores the nutritional hardships they endured. While their diet contributed to their survival, it was not the key to their strength—it was their ability to endure and adapt that set them apart.

Belief Systems as Mental Armor

In the absence of abundant resources, the Cimbri relied on belief systems that elevated endurance, honor, and legacy. Earlier concepts like drengr (living with courage and integrity) and orðstírr (leaving behind a lasting reputation) might have gave them the purpose beyond survival. These values motivated not just individuals but entire communities to endure hardships with a sense of pride and meaning.

The later Norse perspective on life and death, where achieving glory through action was seen as a form of immortality, fortified their mental resilience. As the Hávamál states:

“Cattle die, kinsmen die, every man is mortal: but the good name never dies of one who has done well.”

We do not know for sure if this was used, however we know for a fact that their goods had this mentality divided between them and we know that this was a clear source of inspiration for them.

Herbs: Nature’s Miracle Workers

Herbs played a crucial, though often overlooked, role in the resilience of the Cimbri and other ancient peoples. Unlike fruits and greens, herbs packed high concentrations of essential nutrients into small quantities. For example:

• Thyme: Only 25 kg could provide a family’s Vitamin C needs for an entire winter, compared to 880 kg of apples.

• Nettle: Rich in Iron and Calcium, it supported blood health and bone strength during long periods of deprivation.

In times of nutrient deficiencies, such as Vitamin C (scurvy), Iron (anemia), or Vitamin A (night blindness), herbs offered rapid relief. This ability to heal quickly from seemingly fatal conditions likely appeared miraculous to those who used them, giving rise to myths about their magical properties. When a shaman prepared a potent herbal remedy, the immediate recovery reinforced the spiritual significance of herbs.

A Blend of Nature and Belief

The resilience of the Cimbri wasn’t due to one factor but a combination of their environment, beliefs, and herbal knowledge. While their harsh climate hardened them physically but also mentality, their main mental framework provided purpose, and herbs bridged the nutritional gaps. Together, these elements created a people capable of surviving against overwhelming odds.

Lessons for Today

The Cimbri remind us that strength is multifaceted. It is forged not just by physical sustenance but by mental fortitude and the intelligent use of available resources. 

In modern times, when we face challenges like depression, anxiety, or dietary confusion, one can look back to their example:

• Cultivate purpose and values that guide your life, much like drengr and orðstírr. Or being ”Christ-Like”.

• Recognize the healing power of nature, as our ancestors did with herbs.

• Embrace adversity as a tool for growth and resilience.

Interesting, at least for me! Ha! I hope this made sence somehow. I will indulge me in all kind of books to one day come closer and to build upon my investigation, but for now, this is pretty solid in my opinion.