Austria's Ancient History: A Country's Age Explored

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, has a long and complex history that dates back to the Paleolithic period. The name 'Austria' first appeared in a document in 996 AD, and the country has since undergone numerous transformations, including being annexed by the Romans, becoming a unified state, and emerging as a Duchy in 1156 before being made an Archduchy in 1453. The country has also experienced social and economic turbulence, with the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918 marking the end of the 640-year-old Habsburg dynasty and leading to the establishment of the first Republic of Austria.

Austria's name origin

The name 'Austria' has a long and complex history, with its roots stretching back thousands of years. The country's name has evolved over time, reflecting the region's dynamic political and cultural landscape.

The earliest origins of the name can be traced to ancient times when the area was inhabited by the Celtic Hallstatt culture. According to Austrian historian Friedrich Heer, the Celtic name for the region, 'Norig', dates back more than 2,500 years. In the Celtic language, 'no-' or 'nor-' meant "east" or "eastern", while '-rig" is related to the modern German "Reich", meaning "realm". Thus, 'Norig' essentially translates to "eastern realm", a fitting description for a land situated east of Bavaria.

When the Romans conquered this region around 15 BC, they Latinised the Celtic name 'Norig' to 'Noricum', which became a Roman province in the mid-1st century AD. The Latin name 'Austria' first appeared in the 12th century, during the time of Leopold III (1095-1136). However, the shorter Latin name 'Austria' only came into use in the 12th century, several centuries after the Germanic form 'Ostarrîchi' appeared in a document in 996 AD.

The Germanic form 'Ostarrîchi' is derived from the Old High German words 'ōstan' meaning "east" and 'rihhi' meaning "realm" or "domain". This name likely originated as a translation of the Latin 'Marchia orientalis' (eastern borderland), referring to the territory's position as the easternmost extent of Bavaria. The name 'Ostarrîchi' is also believed to have connections to the Slavic toponym 'Ostravica', meaning "pointed hill", further emphasising the region's geographic characteristics.

The native German name for Austria, 'Österreich', is derived from 'Ostarrîchi' and has persisted through the country's history, even as its borders and political status changed. The Czech and Slovak languages have distinct names for Austria, 'Rakousko' and 'Rakúsko', which are believed to have originated from the name of the Austrian castle and town of 'Raabs an der Thaya' near the Czech-Austrian border.

Austria's annexation by Rome

Austria as a country in its modern form is relatively young, having only been established as a republic in 1918 after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, the history of human settlement and the region's political significance goes back much further. The area that is now Austria has a rich and complex history, with many different cultures and empires influencing its development over thousands of years. One of the most significant periods in Austria's early history was its annexation by the Roman Empire, which had a lasting impact on the region.

The Roman campaigns in Austria were led by a number of prominent Roman generals, including Drusus and Tiberius, who was the future emperor. The Romans encountered fierce resistance from local Celtic and Illyrian tribes, particularly the Norici and Taurisci, who had established kingdoms in the region. However, the Romans eventually prevailed, and by 15 BC, they had established the province of Raetia et Noricum, which included much of modern-day Austria, as well as parts of Switzerland and Bavaria.

Roman rule in Austria brought about significant changes to the region. One of the most notable impacts was the introduction of Roman law, administration, and culture. Roman roads, bridges, and cities were built, and the local tribes gradually adopted Roman customs and language. The Romans also exploited the region's natural resources, particularly salt, which was a valuable commodity and became a major source of wealth for the Empire. Cities like Vindobona (modern-day Vienna) and Juvavum (Salzburg) were founded during this period and became important Roman military and administrative centers.

Roman rule in Austria lasted for several centuries and left a lasting legacy. However, with the decline of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Austria also came under the influence of migrating tribes and was eventually incorporated into the Frankish Empire, which later became the Holy Roman Empire. Despite these changes, the period of Roman rule had a profound impact on the development of Austrian culture, language, and society, and it remains an important chapter in the country's long and complex history.

Austria's Christianisation

The area of today's Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. Around 800 BC, it was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who first organised as a Celtic kingdom referred to by the Romans as Noricum, dating from c. 800 to 400 BC. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire, and Christianisation in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, during the late Roman period.

In 996 AD, the name 'Ostarrîchi' (Austria) was used to refer to a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. From 1156, it became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, and it was at this time that the Latinised name 'Austria' appeared in writings.

Austria was historically a strongly Catholic country, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918) which championed Roman Catholicism. However, in the 16th century, many Austrians converted to Protestantism, particularly Lutheranism, as the Protestant Reformation spread across Europe. The nobility, in particular, turned toward the Lutheran creed, and the sons of the nobility were often sent to North German universities to expose them more fully to Protestant influence. From 1521, Protestant pamphlets were produced by Austrian printers, and the Anabaptists had a strong appeal among the peasant population.

In response to the rise of Protestantism, the Habsburgs enacted measures of Counter-Reformation as early as 1527 and harshly repressed Austrian Protestantism. In 1545, Ferdinand, the ruler of Inner Austria, took over in Steiermark, and he proved to be the most resolute advocate of the Counter-Reformation. It was he who eventually succeeded in uprooting Protestantism, first in Inner Austria and then in the other Habsburg countries, with the exception of Hungary. In 1555, the Peace of Augsburg brought some respite in the religious struggles, and in 1558, Ferdinand I became Holy Roman Emperor.

In 1781, in the era of Austrian enlightenment, Emperor Joseph II issued a Patent of Tolerance for Austria that allowed other confessions a limited freedom of worship. Religious freedom was declared a constitutional right in Cisleithania after the Austro-Hungarian Ausgleich in 1867, thus recognising the many religions besides Catholicism that were practised in the monarchy.

Austria's unification

The territory of modern-day Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period. Around 800 BC, it was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who organised as the Celtic kingdom of Noricum, which the Romans conquered in the 1st century BC. The name "Austria" first appeared in 996 AD, in a document of King Otto III, written as "Ostarrîchi", referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In the 12th century, the Latinized name "Austria" appeared in writings from the time of Leopold III (1095–1136).

In 1156, Austria became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, and was made an archduchy in 1453 under Frederick V the Peaceful. However, the history of Austria as a unified state is complex, as the territory understood by the term "Austria" has changed drastically over time. The lands now part of the second Republic of Austria were added gradually, and only two of the nine provinces (Lower and Upper Austria) are strictly considered "Austria". Other parts of its former sovereign territory are now part of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Czechia.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were strong unification proposals in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and centre. However, support for unification faded over time, and after 1933, when Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany, the desire for unification became associated with the Nazis and their "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in what became known as the "Anschluss". This annexation was considered "null and void" by the Allies, who declared their intention to create a free and independent Austria after the war. On 27 April 1945, Austria was declared independent from Nazi Germany, and on 15 May 1955, it was accorded full independence and neutrality.

Austria's neutrality

The name "Austria" has been in use since 996 AD, when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. In 1156, it became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire.

Since 1955, neutrality has become deeply ingrained in Austrian identity. An opinion poll from March 2022 found that 76% of Austrians favoured remaining neutral, versus 18% who supported joining NATO. Austria's commitment to neutrality has also impacted its relationship with the European Union, and it only joined the bloc in 1995, alongside Finland and Sweden, which had also declared their neutrality in the Cold War.

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