[gothic-l] Runic Influences

[Tore Gannholm]

Bertil,
Here follows an extract from "Origin of Svear"


"Another interesting note in Prokopios is that after the capitulation at
Vesuvius, that in 552 ended the Ostrogotic power in Italy, the Goths that
so wished were allowed to stay as peaceful farmers in Italy. As Prokopios
uses the word Goth about all before this time in Italy living Germanic
people, the above note refers probably to those who already before the
arrival of the Ostrogoths had received the "Herulian lots". Another part of
the Goths - and here he probably means the Ostrogoths, that is those who
had been responsible for the deposed rule - did not want to stay. They left
Italy and we don't know where they went.
However, it is very possible that those Goths went to England where the
finds in the graves at Sutton Hoo should remind us of them. In the Beowulf
poem, considered written down i England in the 8th century, the Gutar are
called "Getae" and the Gothic history "Getica". This could explain the link
between the Gutar and Sutton Hoo. Probably the Gutar continue their earlier
connections with their cousins the Ostrogoths. In the grave chamber's
eastern part were found a long row of domestic vessels inter alia two bowed
bronze vessels of the Gotlandic type with a flat unfolded front edge and
twisted iron handles. Swords and cultural artifacts that have been
manufactured in Gotlandic workshops during that time, can be found in
several Gotlandic graves, are closely related to corresponding English art.
Professor Sune Lindqvist says: "It is obvious that the comparison between
the grave findings from Sutton Hoo and the contents of the Beowulf poem was
well justified and contains great possibilities. It is obvious that those
two documents in a splendid way complete each other. Both win in clearness
when compared."
To support the idea of Ostrogotic involvement in Sutton Hoo a very large
silver pan was found. There are two countermarks on the base of the
silverpan from the time of Caesar Anastasius. He ruled over the Eastern
Empire between the years 491 and 518 i.e. when the Ostrogoths ruled Italy.
The pan was accordingly already an antiquity when it was placed in the
grave in East Anglia."
Tore




>Tore,
>
>Could you expand on your highly
>interesting theories between
>Gotland and Sutton Hoo. Am certain
>the list is anxious to know more.
>
>Gothically
>
>Bertil
>
>
>> There are proven close contacts between your mentioned area and Gotland at
>> that time. i.e. Sutton-Hoo.
>


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