[gothic-l] Heruls and Archaeology

[Bertil Haggman]

Troels,

Thank you for your valuable contributions to a discussion
that is full of irrelevancy in some cases. An important factor 
to be considered when discussing the relation between the 
Eruli and Scandinavia is no doubt the relation of Procppius 
of a characteristic custom of the Eruli (Bell. Goth. II, 14). When 
aged people became decripit, they themselves claimed the right to
be killed. Relatives placed the victim on a high pile of
firewood, and he was executed by dagger. Later the
pile was set on fire.

Such a custom existed in Smaaland Province (Vaerend district).
There it was the local custom to kill aged people by means
of a club. The killing of the aged is also known from many other
parts of Gautland. One custom was to throw oneself down from
a high rock (aetternistapi), 'the family rock' (see Gautrek's Saga).
This custom also existed in South Jutland (a steep cliff, the so-called
Endrupskov Aftaegt). I think this type of custom is one of the most clear
ways of connecting the Eruli with Scandinavia.

There has also been a few articles on the Eruli language being
reflected in the Blekinge dialect (see bibliographic note under-
neath). 

A few additional words on the Erulic names:

Alvith = 'All-wood', 'sanctuary-wood' (?)
Fara = the element -far is Burgundian, Lombard, or Anglian, but 
above all East Danish.

Fulkaris = Old High German Folch-heri (?). Note the Danish 
geographical name Fulcarslef on the island of Falster.

Hariso = occurs on a clasp found at Himlingøje on the 
Danish island of Zealand. Note Old Norse hersir = 'sheriff'.

(H)aruth = compare Jutlandic people name Harudes and 
Norwegian Hordhar. The original Erulic form seems to be 

(H)aordos (see Procopius, who uses the version Aordos three times). 

(H)rodvulf = 'honour-wolf' (similar names exist in Denmark and Norway). 
The popularity of the name Rudolph in Germany might go back to the 
high status of this Erulic personal name. The element 'hrodh' of early 
kings and priests in Norway, Denmark, and in East Anglian and Jutish 
dynasties.

The Eruli probably settled in the province of Blekinge, mainly on the Lister 
Peninsula. Basis for that assumption has been several runestones found 
in the area: Stentoften, Gummarp, Istaby, and Sölvesborg. Especially 
the Stentoften stone contains an inscription that has been interpreted 
as relating to immigrants:

"The settlers,
the newcomers
gave Hathuwolf gifts,
poured riches over Hariwolf."

On the Gummarp stone Hathuvolf is also mentioned 
and the Istaby stone contains in addition to Hathuwolf 
and Hariwolf also Haeruvolf. So in fact we are probably 
dealing with names of three Erulic kings on the Lister 
Peninsula.

Naturally there is speculation of a connection between Hathuvolf, 
Harivolf and the well-known name of the Erulian King Hrodvulf 
(Rodolfus or Rodulfus), the rex Herulorum mentioned by both 
Procopius in History of the Wars, Chapter 14:11-21 and Paulus 
Diaconus in Historia Langobardorum, Chapter 20. According 
to Procopius Hrodvulf was killed 505 A.D.

The Lister Peninsula on the border between Blekinge and 
Scania is regarded as a natural choice for immigrants to 
settle. It is strategically situated for trading and sailing and 
its hinterland Värend was suitable for agriculture. The 
peninsula is close both to the rich Scania, to Blekinge and 
the island of Bornholm.

Bibliographic notes

Jareborg, Nils, "Det heruliska arvet: Till frågan om Blekingemålens 
hemlighet." (35 års utredande: en vänbok till Erland Aspelin. 1996
DUS 1996:1, s. 167-183.)

Jareborg, Nils, "Gamla och nya heruler." (Blekingska Nationen 
1697-1997. Utg. av Johan Svensson, 1997, s. 83-89.)

Nils Jareborg, born 1938, is Professor of Criminal Law
at Uppsala University and since 2001 Corresponding
Fellow of the British Academy.

Erulically

Bertil


> We do not know the characteristics of the Heruls and until now I have 
> not found any archaeologist investigating that problem related to 
> Scandinavia. Most of the Scandinavian scholars covering that period 
> have analyzed the connections to Western Europe (Franks, Lombards and 
> Alamans) but very seldom the connections to the former Czeckoslovakia.



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