Ermanaric

Ermanaric (died 376), was a king of the Gothic Greuthungi at the eve of the Migration Period.

Historical accounts

Ermanaric is mentioned in two Roman sources; the contemporary 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 Alani and of the Huns, who invaded his territories in the 370s. All that Ammianus says about the extent of Ermanric's domain is that his lands were rich and wide.citation|author=Michael Kulikowski |title=Rome's Gothic Wars |year=2007 |pages=111,112 |id=ISBN 0251846331] citation |author=Ammianus Marcellinus| url=http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ammian/31*.html#3 |title=Res Gestae XXXI 3 |editor=Thayer]

According to Jordanes' "Getica", Ermanaric ruled of the realm of 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.

Tales

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. [ [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dlemrick/Emmerich1.htm The Name of Emmerich Pt. 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.

Footnotes

References

*Auerbach, Loren and Simpson, Jacqueline. "Sagas of The Norsemen: Viking and German Myth." TIME-LIFE books.