Lexi Webster
Austria's history is a long tale of conquest, empire, conflict, and royalty. The area now known as Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age, with the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, a Celtic state, being the first known settlement in the region in around 400 BC. The region was later conquered by the Roman Empire in 16 BC and renamed Noricum, lasting until 476. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the area was invaded by the Germanic Rugii, followed by a barbarian soldier and statesman named Odoacer, who incorporated most of modern-day Austria into his Kingdom of Italy in 487. In the centuries that followed, Austria was part of various empires and confederations, including the Holy Roman Empire, the German Confederation, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The country played a significant role in both World Wars, and after World War II, it declared independence from Germany on April 27, 1945, establishing itself as the independent Second Austrian Republic in 1955.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of becoming an independent state | 27 April 1945 |
| Date of becoming the Austrian Empire | 1806 |
| Date of becoming the Austrian Republic | 13 November 1918 |
| Date of becoming the First Austrian Republic | 1919 |
| Date of becoming the Second Austrian Republic | 1955 |
| Date of joining the European Union | 1995 |
| Previous names | East Francia, Kingdom of Germany, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, German Confederation, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Republic of German-Austria |
| Previous rulers | Holy Roman Emperor, King of Franks, King of Bohemia, Hungarian March, Habsburg monarchy, Roman Empire, Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, Rugii, Odoacer, Charlemagne, Babenberg family, Habsburg Dynasty, King Otto I, Hohenstauffen dynasty, Ottokar II |
| Previous territories | Hungary, Bohemia, Styria, Carniola, Carinthia, Pannonia, Raetia, Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Eastern and Hungarian March, Ostmark, German Confederation, Prussia, Germany, Italy |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's beginnings can be traced to the Stone Age and the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum
- The Roman Empire conquered Noricum in 16 BC, ruling the region for almost 500 years
- After the Romans, the area was invaded by Germanic tribes, Hunnic horsemen, and Slavic communities
- In the 12th century, Austria became a Duchy and was ruled by the Babenberg family
- The Habsburgs took power in the 13th century, ruling for six centuries and establishing an empire
Austria's beginnings can be traced to the Stone Age and the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum
Austria's history is a long and complex one, stretching back thousands of years to the Stone Age and the existence of the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum.
The Stone Age in Austria dates back more than 250,000 years, with evidence of human habitation found in the Repolust Cave at Badl, near Peggau. These early inhabitants left behind stone tools, bone tools, and pottery fragments, as well as evidence of mammalian remains. As the Stone Age progressed into the Neolithic era, we see evidence of early agrarian cultures in Austria, such as the Linear pottery culture, with the first recorded rural settlement at Brunn am Gebirge in Mödling.
The country's rich deposits of iron and salt made it an important source of raw materials, and by the Bronze Age, we see the emergence of fortifications protecting commercial centres of mining, processing, and trade. The transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age saw the development of the Hallstatt culture, named after the type site in Upper Austria, which was known for its salt industry and trade connections with the Greek colonies on the Ligurian coast.
Around 400 BC, the Kingdom of Noricum was established as a federation of tribes, including most of modern-day Austria and parts of Slovenia. Under the leadership of the Noric tribe, Noricum united thirteen tribes into a kingdom, with its capital at Noreia. Noricum became a key ally of the Roman Republic, providing high-quality weapons and tools in exchange for military protection. The famous Noric steel was used in the making of Roman weapons, and the kingdom was a major provider of weaponry for the Roman army.
In 16 BC, Noricum was conquered by the Romans and made into a province, which lasted until 476. The Roman province of Noricum included the present-day Austrian provinces of Carinthia, Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Styria, as well as parts of Bavaria and Tyrol. Thus, the foundations of Austria as we know it today began to take shape through the interplay of Stone Age settlements, the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, and the subsequent Roman rule.
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The Roman Empire conquered Noricum in 16 BC, ruling the region for almost 500 years
The Roman Empire's conquest of Noricum in 16 BC marked the start of its rule over the region for nearly 500 years. Noricum, a Celtic kingdom, was located in the eastern Alps and included most of modern-day Austria and parts of Slovenia. The region was rich in iron ore and gold, making it a valuable asset for the Roman Empire. The famous Noric steel was used in the making of Roman weapons.
Prior to the Roman conquest, Noricum was a federation of tribes that enjoyed independence and commerce with the Romans. The kingdom was founded around 400 BC, with its capital at Virunum on the Magdalensberg. The Romans had arrived in the region in 200 BC and by 15 BC, they dominated the entire area. However, it was only in 16 BC that Noricum was fully incorporated into the Roman Empire as a client kingdom.
Under Roman rule, Noricum was divided into two parts: Noricum Ripensis ("Noricum along the river") and Noricum Mediterranean ("landlocked Noricum"). The province was bounded by the Danube to the north, Raetia and Vindelicia to the west, Pannonia to the east, and Italy to the south. Noricum served as both a base of operations and a buffer zone against the Germanic tribes. Several fortifications were built to guard the river crossings and passes through the Alps.
The transition from Roman to barbarian rule in Noricum is well documented in Eugippius' "Life of Saint Severinus". After the fall of the Roman Empire, the area was invaded by various Germanic tribes and eventually became part of the Kingdom of Italy under Odoacer in 487. Noricum's incorporation into the Roman Empire played a significant role in the development of the region, influencing its culture, trade, and military strategies.
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After the Romans, the area was invaded by Germanic tribes, Hunnic horsemen, and Slavic communities
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the area of modern-day Austria was invaded by a series of Germanic tribes, Hunnic horsemen, and Slavic communities. The first of these Germanic tribes to invade were the Rugii, who made the region part of "Rugiland". In 487 AD, most of modern Austria was conquered by Odoacer, a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube, who incorporated it into his Kingdom of Italy.
By the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region. During this time, various Germanic tribes were extending their territory, making devastating incursions into Roman territories. The arrival of the Huns in the late 400s and early 500s further disrupted the region. The Hunnic Empire, led by Attila, gradually conquered several Germanic groups north of the Danube, including the Gepids, who fell under Hunnic rule by 406. The Hunnic Empire also put pressure on the Greuthungi, a Gothic group in modern Ukraine, causing them to flee to the Danube in 376 and seek asylum in the Roman Empire.
In addition to their military prowess, the Huns are known for their religious practices, which included both Pagan beliefs and Christian influences. While some sources describe the Huns as a disorganized confederation, others argue that they were a far more centralized and organized force. After Attila's death in 453, the Hunnic Empire faced internal power struggles, eventually leading to the loss of many of their Germanic vassals.
Waves of migrants, including Germanic peoples, Hunnic horsemen, and Slavic communities, continued to settle in the region of present-day Austria until the end of the 8th century. The Slavic peoples settled in northern Lower Austria, Carinthia, and southern Styria. The Alpine region was gradually Christianized by Irish and Scottish monks during this time. These migrations and invasions played a significant role in shaping the ethnic and cultural landscape of the region that would eventually become Austria.
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In the 12th century, Austria became a Duchy and was ruled by the Babenberg family
The Babenberg family can be divided into two groups: the Elder or Franconian House of Babenberg, and the Younger or Austrian House of Babenberg. The Elder House of Babenberg ruled the imperial Margraviate of Austria from its creation in 976 AD, when Leopold I of Babenberg became margrave of Austria. Their name refers to Babenburg Castle, the present site of Bamberg Cathedral.
In 1156, the Margraviate of Austria was elevated to a duchy, marking the start of the rule of the Younger or Austrian House of Babenberg. This house consisted of the descendants of Margrave Leopold I, who ruled Austria from 976 onwards. The Babenberg family's power grew significantly in the 12th century, dominating the Austrian nobility.
The Babenberg line came to an end in 1246 with the death of Duke Frederick II, also known as Frederick II the Quarrelsome. Frederick II's oppressive rule made him unpopular with his subjects, and he was placed under an imperial ban in 1236, forcing him into exile. However, he was later restored to his position as duke. After Frederick II's death, the country entered a period of interregnum, with his duchy becoming the subject of a prolonged power struggle between rival forces.
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The Habsburgs took power in the 13th century, ruling for six centuries and establishing an empire
The history of Austria is closely tied to the Habsburgs, a royal German family that ruled the country for six centuries, from the 13th century to 1918. The name "Habsburg" comes from the castle of Habsburg or Habichtsburg ("Hawk's Castle"), built in 1020 in present-day Switzerland. The family's earliest traceable ancestor is Guntram the Rich, who lived in the 10th century.
In 1273, Rudolf I of the Habsburg family became King of Germany. In 1279, he acquired the Duchy of Austria for the Habsburgs, which became known as the "Austrian hereditary lands." Rudolf I's reign marked the beginning of six centuries of Habsburg rule in Austria, during which they established an empire.
The Habsburgs expanded their influence and power through strategic marriages and alliances. For example, in 1440, Frederick V, the senior representative of the Inner Austrian line, was elected German king. He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1452 as Frederick III, the last emperor to be crowned in Rome. The Habsburgs continued to hold the title of Holy Roman Emperor until 1806.
The zenith of Habsburg power came in the 16th century under Emperor Charles V, who inherited not only the Hereditary Lands but also acquired additional territories through marriage, including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Burgundy. The Habsburgs also controlled Hungary and Bohemia from 1526 to 1918 and ruled Spain and the Spanish Empire for nearly two centuries.
Under the rule of Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century, the Habsburg holdings were reformed and united. Following her death in 1780, her son Joseph II continued the reforms, making him one of the so-called enlightened monarchs. The Habsburg monarchy, also known as the Habsburg Empire or Realm, encompassed a collection of empires, kingdoms, duchies, counties, and other polities.
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Frequently asked questions
The area now known as Austria was settled in the Paleolithic Age and by 400 BC, Celtic peoples from Western Europe settled in the eastern Alps. A Celtic state, Noricum, developed around the region's ironworks in the second century BC. From the 7th century BC onwards, one of the main regions of Celtic occupation was centred around Hallstatt, a large prehistoric salt-mining area.
The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which included most of modern Austria and parts of modern Slovenia, was conquered by the Roman Empire in 16 BC and made into a province called Noricum. The Romans dominated the entire area by 15 BC. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Germanic Rugii invaded and made the region part of their "Rugiland". In 487, most of modern Austria was conquered by Odoacer, a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube, which incorporated most of today's Austria in his Kingdom of Italy. In 881, the Magyars started making incursions and by 906, they had destroyed Great Moravia. In 955, the German king Otto I (later Holy Roman Emperor) defeated the Magyars. In 996, the region was referred to as "Ostarrichi", a forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" or "Austria".
The Habsburgs were a dynasty that ruled Austria for six centuries, starting in the 12th century. They increased their influence and power through strategic alliances ratified by marriages. Under the rule of Empress Maria Theresia (1717-1780), the Habsburg holdings were reformed and united. Following her death, her son Joseph II continued the reforms.
After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed and Austria was reduced to the main, mostly German-speaking areas of the empire. It adopted the name, the Republic of German-Austria. However, union with Germany was forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles. This led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic in 1919. In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany, but after World War II, it declared independence from Germany on 27 April 1945. The Second Austrian Republic was established in 1955.
