Barbarian vs. Berserker — What's the Difference?

A barbarian is a human who is perceived to be either uncivilized or primitive. The designation is usually applied as a generalization based on a popular stereotype; barbarians can be members of any nation judged by some to be less civilized or orderly (such as a tribal society) but may also be part of a certain "primitive" cultural group (such as nomads) or social class (such as bandits) both within and outside one's own nation.

In the Old Norse written corpus, berserker were those who were said to have fought in a trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the modern English word berserk (meaning "furiously violent or out of control"). Berserkers are attested to in numerous Old Norse sources.

A member of one of the non-Greek peoples in the ancient world, regarded by the ancient Greeks as culturally inferior.

One of a band of ancient Norse warriors legendary for their savagery and reckless frenzy in battle.

A member of any of various peoples living outside the Roman Empire or not fully integrated into Greco-Roman civilization.

(historical) A Norse warrior who purportedly fought in a trance-like frenzy; a berserk.

A member of a people considered uncivilized or culturally inferior by members of another people.

(by extension)

A crude, uncivilized, or brutal person.

One who fights as if frenzied, like a berserker.

Relating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.

(science fiction) A type of von Neumann probe whose mission is to exterminate alien lifeforms.

(historical) A non-Greek or a non-Roman citizen.

One of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury

An uncivilized or uncultured person, originally compared to the hellenistic Greco-Roman civilisation; often associated with fighting or other such shows of strength.

(derogatory) A person destitute of culture; a Philistine.

(derogatory) Someone from a developing country or backward culture.

A warrior, clad in fur or leather, associated with sword and sorcery stories.

A cruel, savage, inhumane, brutal person; one without pity or empathy.

(derogatory) A foreigner, especially with barbaric qualities as in the above definitions.

A foreigner.

A man in a rude, savage, or uncivilized state.

A person destitute of culture.

A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity.

Of, or pertaining to, or resembling, barbarians; rude; uncivilized; barbarous; as, barbarian governments or nations.

A member of an uncivilized people

A crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement

Without civilizing influences;