Rottweil, Germany

The history of today’s Rottweil, Germany goes back to Roman times. Its origin, finding itself in the year 73 AD. To the days of the Roman Empire. To days when Romans governed the region we know today to be Rottweil, Germany. In Roman times, Rottweil had been known as Arae Flaviae. 

In German, Rott means, a settlement located on a steep bank. In German, Rott means, a clearing. In knowing the meaning of Rott, Rottweil – nestled between the Alps and the Black Forest…containing our prefix, Rott – is aptly named.

What today we know to be Rottweil possesses a history which goes back to Roman times. Our prefix of Rott, derived from Old High German.

Old High German was the earliest stage of the German language. The common language in the region from 500 AD to 750 AD.

Today, Rottweil is a German town with a population of 25,000. Rottweil is part of the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

The very beginning for Rottweil dates back to 75 AD. In 75 AD, this settlement which later would go on the become Rottweil took hold long, long before Germany became a country. This settlement began long, long before 26 then-independent Prussian states joined together to form Germany. The very beginning for Rottweil goes back to long, long before there even was a Kingdom of Germany.

Rottweil, Germany.

In 1871, the town of Rottweil officially became part of the German Empire. Rottweil is one of Germany’s original towns.

Rottweil became a German town when Wurttemberg joined a newly-forming German nation. This happened in 1871.

Up through 1871, Rottweil had been part of the independent Prussian state, Wurttemberg. Wurttemberg was among the Prussian states that united to create Germany.

Eighty one years after Wurttemberg joined the German Empire – bringing Rottweil along with it – Rottweil became a Baden-Wurtemberg town. A status Rottweil holds to this day.

Rottweil is a German town. Rottweil is also a German district. 

While 25,000 Germans live in the town of Rottweil, 150,000 Germans live in the district of Rottweil.

A town and a district. Rottweil too is the source for which one of the world’s favored dog breeds is named. The Rottweiler.

In Germany, the Rottweiler was originally known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund. In German, Rottweiler Metzgerhund means, Rottweil butcher’s dog.

During the 19th Century, Rottweilers were used by butchers in Germany in the transportation of a butchers’ meat. Rottweiler, “the Butcher’s Dog.”

Aside from being a butcher’s helper, the Rottweiler’s job during Roman times – a job the Rottweiler held throughout the 19th Century in Germany – was to herd and protect livestock.

Cattle-herding extraordinaire. Pulling butchers’ carts to market. The Rottweiler.

Accompanying a butcher when the butcher went to market, on their way back home from the market, a butcher would tie a belt – with his money in the belt – around the neck of his Rottweiler. For safe keeping. 

Rottweil’s most famous contribution -“the Butcher’s Dog” – has a long and storied history.

And Rottweiler history goes way, way, way back. To long before there ever was a Germany. Rottweiler history goes all the way back to the Roman Empire. To a time when Rottweilers traveled alongside Roman soldiers. 

In those early days of Rottweiler history, in days when Romans – not Germans – lived in what one day would go on to become Rottweil, Rottweilers trekked the Alps with Romans.

As Rottweilers later did in Germany, during Roman times, Rottweilers herded and drove cattle. For Roman armies.

Roman armies were mobile. Traveling from region to region within the Roman Empire. As roaming armies, cattle was a primary food source for Roman soldiers. Driving and protecting cattle was the job of the Rottweiler. 

Rottweilers led and protected this vital food source for Romans. Protecting Roman cattle from countryside predators. Predators who would, should they be left unintimidated, thin a herd. A thinned-out herd would lead to a reduced food supply for Roman legions.

The Rottweiler. Roman ally. Butcher’s helper. Protector. Herder. Companion.

Rottweilers protected cattle in Roman times. Rottweilers protected cattle during the days of the Kingdom of Germany. Rottweilers protected cattle during the days of the German Empire. Rottweilers protected cattle in Germany, after Germany became a country in 1871. 

Rottweiler. “The Butcher’s Dog.” Family companion in so many American homes. Including, in my own home.