Tolkien and the Cimbri

[Mikey C]

Does anyone know of a reference to the effect that JRRT considered the Cimbri (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbri) to have been Celtic rather than Germanic? This would have been an unusual view at the time (although it was shared by Robert E. Howard!) as it went against Classical orthodoxy, but is more popular now. I've been asked to put this question to the experts, so it would be great if someone could point me in the right direction.

[chrysophalax]

As I live in the heart of what was once known as the Cimbrian Peninsula, I'll try to give this a go, though it's a distinct possibility I'll end up REALLY studying this further.

The Cimbri were a seriously aggressive people who lived in Nordjylland in Denmark and they were once famous or infamous (depending on your point of view) for repeatedly defeating the Roman army and nearly invading Italy around 103 BC.

Now, as to why JRRT would think them Celtic rather than Germanic, I'm not entirely certain, but I can refer you to a study written by him called Finn and Hengist.

Interestingly enough (just as a little extra), it wasn't long ago that archeologists here found the remains of a Viking longhouse on Sjælland that matches rather eerily the dimensions of the one mentioned in Beowulf's fight with Grendel and his mother.

[Eledhwen]

I've found a pdf file that might cast some light: http://www.davidkfaux.org/Cimbri-Chronology.pdf (warning, it's 89 pages!)

"Origins of the Cimbri – German or Celt?:
Before delving into the topic in any depth it is essential to clear up one matter which seems to have created the largest swirl of controversy – were the Cimbri Germans, or were they Celts? Since they resided in the heart of the northern Germanic, southern Scandinavian region the answer should be obvious, however what seems apparent may only be an illusion."