Thuringi

The Thuringi were a Germanic people who inhabited the region of Thuringia in present-day Germany from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD. Their name likely derives from the Old High German word "thurri" meaning "storm" or "thunder." Initially, they were a confederation of various Germanic tribes, but over time, they coalesced into a more unified entity.

The Thuringi established a kingdom in the region, which reached its peak of influence in the 5th and early 6th centuries. They were known for their military prowess and engaged in conflicts with neighboring tribes and the declining Western Roman Empire. Their territory extended significantly, encompassing parts of modern-day Saxony, Bavaria, and Hesse.

The Thuringian kingdom was characterized by a hierarchical social structure and a pagan religious tradition. They were eventually conquered by the Franks under King Theuderic I in 531 AD, after a conflict that involved alliances with other Germanic groups. Following the Frankish conquest, the Thuringi were integrated into the Frankish realm, and their distinct political identity gradually faded. Their legacy, however, persists in the name and culture of the modern German state of Thuringia.