Final answer:
The word barbarian originates from the Greek word 'barbaros,' meaning foreigner, and was used by Romans to label non-Romanized cultures as less civilized. Over time, barbarian groups such as the Celts and Germans were both fought against and integrated within Roman society and military.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term barbarian is derived from the Greek word barbaros, which means foreigner. Originally used by the Greeks, it referred to people who did not speak Greek and whose language sounded like repetitive 'bar-bar-bar' noise. To the Romans, the term barbarian was synonymous with a person who was not Romanized and was seen as part of a culture that was less civilized. While the word German specifically referred to the peoples north of the Roman Empire, it was often used interchangeably with barbarian. The Romans scorned these groups, though there was significant cultural exchange, and over time even reliant relationships formed.
As Rome expanded, the first to be conquered were the Celts, regarded as barbarians but capable of becoming civilized Romans. Depictions of barbarians in Roman art often reflected the Roman view of barbarian inferiority, particularly in scenes of military conquest. This pejorative usage evolved over centuries, with barbarians not only involved in invasions and conflict with Rome but also assimilated into its military and culture.