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The green area is the traditional extent of Götaland and the dark pink area is the island of Gotland. The red area is the extent of the Gothiscandza (the Wielbark Culture) in the early 3rd century, and the orange area is Oium (the Chernyakhov Culture), in the early 4th century. The purple area is the Roman Empire
'Ermanaric' (d. 376), known as the "Gothic Alexander", was a King of the Gothic Greuthungi. As king, he allegedly ruled a vast empire located in today's Ukraine. The exact limits of his territory, however, are obscure, but it seems to have stretched south of the Pripet Marshes between the Don and Dniester rivers.
| Contents |
| Historical accounts |
| Ermanaric's names |
| See also |
| References |
Historical accounts
Ermanaric is mentioned in two Roman sources; the writings of Ammianus Marcellinus and in ''Getica'' by the 6th century historian Jordanes.
According to Ammianus, Ermanaric is "''a most warlike king''" who eventually commits suicide, facing the aggression of the Huns, who invaded his territories in the 370s. His kingdom was destroyed and his people became subject to the Huns for about 75 years.
According to Jordanes, the realm Ermanaric ruled was called Oium. Jordanes also states that the king put to death a young woman named Sunilda with the use of horses, because of her infidelity. Thereupon her two brothers, Sarus and Ammius, severely wounded Ermanaric leaving him unfit to defend his kingdom from Hunnic incursions. Variations of this legend had a profound effect on medieval Germanic literature, including that of England and Scandinavia (see Jonakr's sons). Jordanes claims that he successfully ruled the Goths until his death at the age of 110.
In many Germanic tales, Ermanaric is ill-advised by Bicke, Bikka or Sifka, who wants revenge for the rape of his wife by Ermanaric. Also in some tales of Dietrich of Bern, Ermanaric is Dietrich's uncle who stole the kingdom. This adviser advised Ermanaric to kill those closest to him.
Ermanaric's names
Ermanaric's name in his native Gothic was probably ''Aírmanareiks''. However, because he is referred to in literature throughout the Germanic world right up until the 13th century his name takes many forms:
Latin names:
★ in Jordanes' ''Getica'' he is ''Ermanaricus''.
Germanic names:
★ in the Old English epic ''Beowulf'' he is ''Eormenric'',
★ in Old Norse he is ''Jörmunrekkr'',
★ in Middle High German ''Ermenrich''.
He is also called Hermanaric, Erminrich, Emmerich, Ermanrik and many other names.[1]
Since the name ''Heiðrekr'' was rather synonymous with Ermanaric, he is possibly identical to ''Heiðrekr Ulfhamr'' of the Hervarar saga, who was said to have ruled the Goths for a long time.
See also
★ Getica
★ Ammianus Marcellinus
★ Oium
★ Dietrich von Bern
References
★ Auerbach, Loren and Simpson, Jacqueline. ''Sagas of The Norsemen: Viking and German Myth.'' TIME-LIFE books.
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