[gothic-l] Re: Trailing the Eruli in the North

[faltin2001]

--- In gothic-l at y..., andreas.schwarcz at u... wrote:
> Dear Dirk,
> Jordanes gives Getica 16-24 a general description of Scandza,
> citing as sources Claudius Ptolemaeus and Pomponius Mela. This
> part of the text is  probably a direct citation from Cassiodorus.
He
> calls it "inhospitalis hominibus", because he reports that it
borders
> on the frozen sea and he starts his list of scandinavian tribes
going
> from north to south. When he comes further south, he reports that
> there are tribes whose territory is on even ground and fertile, so
he
> does not describe Scandza as inhospitable as a whole. Getica 24
> he gives the following peoples as the furthest south: "sunt
> quamquam et horum posititura Grannii, Augandzi, Eunixi, Taetel,
> Rugi, Arochi, Ranii. quibus non ante multos annos Roduuolf rex
> fuit, qui contempto proprio regno ad Theodorici Gothorum regis
> gremio convolavit et, ut desiderabat, invenit."
> It is quite clear that this Roduuolf is a different person from the
> Erulian king Rodulfus and it is the king of the Eruli who became
> son in arms of Theodoric, not the Scandinavian exilee. Of the
latter
> we cannot even say to which of the seven tribes mentioned he
> belonged and why he went into exile. Jordanes does not say that
> he came voluntarily. "Contempto proprio regno" just means that he
> left his own realm, but does not tell us anything about the
> circumstances. He may have been forced into exile, but we cannot
> say anything for sure.



Hello Andreas,

my translation of the Getica maybe bad, but it says about Roduulf

"But he despised his own kingdom and fled to the embrace of
Theodoric, king of the Goths, finding there what he desired."

Assuming that this translation is correct, I thing on balance
Jordanes implies that Roduulf disliked his kingdom and found Italy or
life at Theoderic's court more to his liking. Certainly, Jordanes
does not say why exactly Roduulf did not like his kingdom and what it
was that he sought in Italy. But if Roduulf was driven out
involuntarily, I would expect Jordanes to have provided this rather
interesting bit of information, because it would have changed the
general tone of this passage entirely.

Also, you said that Jordanes listed the people of Scandza from north
to south, with the fertile and level region in the south and the
tribes "Grannii, Augandzi, Eunixi, Taetel, Rugi, Arochi, Ranii" in
the southern-most region. Yet, this is not exactly my understanding
from my -possibly outdated- translation of the Getica.

I think he lists from the north the:

1)**Screrefennae**, who do not seek grain for food

2) But still another race dwells there, the **Suehans**
3) Then comes a throng of various nations, **Theustes, Vagoth,
Bergio, Hallin, Liothida**. All their habitations are in one level
and fertile region.

4) Behind these are the **Ahelmil, Finnaithae, Fervir and
Gauthigoth**, a race of men bold and quick to fight.

5) Then come the **Mixi, Evagre, and Otingis**. All these live like
wild animals in rocks hewn out like castles

6)And there are beyond these the **Ostrogoths, Raumarici,
Aeragnaricii, and the most gentle Finns**, milder than all the
inhabitants of Scandza. Like them are the **Vinovilith** also. The
**Suetidi** are of this stock and excel the rest in stature. However,
the **Dani**, who trace their origin to the same stock, drove from
their homes the Heruli, who lay claim to preeminence among all the
nations of Scandza for their tallness. Furthermore there are in the
same neighborhood the **Grannii, Augandzi, Eunixi, Taetel, Rugi,
Arochi and Ranii**, over whom Roduulf was king not many years ago.


According to this list, Jordanes describes hunter-gatherer tribes in
the north than a number of tribes on level and fertil ground, which
is however subject to attacks by other tribes. Than come tribes who
are bold and quick to fight. But than come tribes, who live in caves
like wild animals. And then come tribes including Finns; and finally
the tribes to which this king Roduulf is associated.

Thus, Jordanes provides a picture of an island that is at least in
parts inhospitable. People are described as poor (but of course
strong and fertile to account for the Goths origin). The parts of the
land that are fertile are contested and subject to attacks by other
tribes. And some inhabitants are even described as cave-dwellers who
are living like wild animals.

All in all not a positive and inviting picture. The fact that the
passage of Roduulf is present in the same context underscores the
interpretation that Roduulf was really meant to dispised his kingdom
in favour of life at Theoderic's court rather than being driven out
against his will.

cheers,
Dirk










But he despised his own kingdom and fled to the embrace of Theodoric,
king of the Goths, finding there what he desired.


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