The term barbarian has been used in different historical contexts. Which of the following correctly describes how the word was originally used in the Greek and Roman worlds?

Introduction / Context:
This question explores the historical usage of the term barbarian, a word that later became common in many European languages. Understanding its original meaning in Greek and Roman contexts helps students avoid projecting modern negative stereotypes backward and instead recognize how ancient societies viewed cultural outsiders.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: The word comes from the Greek term barbaros, meaning a non Greek.
• Statement 2: Romans used the term for Germanic tribes, the Gauls and the Huns.
• The task is to decide whether each statement is correct and then choose the right combination.

Concept / Approach:
In classical Greek usage, barbaros referred to anyone who did not speak Greek and was therefore seen as foreign or culturally different. This supports statement 1. When the Romans adopted the term, they used it for various non Roman, non Latin speaking peoples at their borders, including Germanic tribes, the Gauls and later groups such as the Huns. This matches statement 2. The correct approach is to verify both statements with this understanding and see that they are accurate, leading to the selection of the option that includes both 1 and 2.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in ancient Greek, barbaros referred broadly to non Greek speaking foreigners. Step 2: Understand that the Greeks initially used it more as a cultural and linguistic label than purely as an insult. Step 3: Remember that Romans adopted similar terminology and applied it to peoples beyond their frontiers, such as Germanic tribes and Gauls. Step 4: Note that later, when the Huns appeared on Roman borders, they were also described as barbarians. Step 5: Conclude that both statements accurately describe historical usage, so both 1 and 2 are correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify statement 1 by recalling that many classical studies texts explain how Greeks contrasted themselves with barbarians, defined as those whose speech sounded strange. For statement 2, Roman historical writings consistently refer to Germanic tribes like the Goths, the Gauls in present France and the Huns from Central Asia as barbarians at the frontier. These examples confirm that Romans extended the term to a wide range of non Roman peoples. Because both statements align with standard historical understanding, selecting both is justified.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1 only: This would ignore the well documented Roman usage of the term for tribes such as the Gauls and Huns, so it is incomplete.
2 only: This would wrongly deny the Greek origin of the term barbaros, which is clearly established in historical linguistics.
Neither 1 nor 2: This would imply the term has neither Greek origins nor Roman application to frontier tribes, which contradicts basic historical knowledge.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes think barbarian is purely a Roman term and forget its earlier Greek roots. Others assume it always meant savage or uncivilized in a modern sense, without understanding that in Greek it primarily meant non Greek speaking. Keeping track of both linguistic origin and later Roman usage helps avoid confusion and clarifies that both statements given in the question are correct.

Final Answer:
Both statements 1 and 2 are correct, so the right option is Both 1 and 2.