Post by lurker4now on Jun 15, 2005 6:04:14 GMT -5
Asian origins of Nordic culture as seen from Iceland in the 13th. century
Introduction
The main purpose of Snorra Edda (Snorri’s Edda) seems to have been to provide a manual in the art of the old Nordic scaldic poetry, oral poetry that was by 1100 principally composed and recited by Icelandic poets at the Norwegian court. This poetry was to a large extent characterised by references to Nordic pagan mythology and thus a large portion of the Snorra Edda is dedicated to pre-Christian beliefs. Indeed it is the most valuable source on the knowledge of these heathen beliefs. It was compiled around 1220, just over two centuries after the people of Iceland converted to Christianity.
The author, Snorri Sturluson was born in Iceland in 1179. He belonged to a prominent family and came to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful politicians in Iceland, as well as enjoying respect at the court of the Norwegian king Hákon Hákonarson. He participated in the struggle amongst Icelandic chieftains for power that characterised the time and was killed at his home in Reykholt in 1241. Snorri is, however , even better known for his literary achievements. In addition to his Edda, other invaluable sources on the ancient Nordic cultural heritage have been attributed to him; with most certainty the sagas of the Norwegian kings Heimskringla, but less so the well known Egils saga.
The text presented here is from the prologue to the work where Snorri considers the origins of the Nordic heathen beliefs (i.e. belief in the gods Æsir). His explanations are twofold. In the first part (not presented here) he describes how men by observation and reason men had created the concept of gods. In the second part he relates how the gods as having been powerful wordly kings originated in Asia Minor (thus, according to Snorri the name Æsir) who came to be honoured as gods. Snorri’s way of explaining the the origins of the heathen faith by pointing to historical figures is generally believed to be modelled on church teachings and the writings of learned men in the Middle Ages.
Original Source
Snorra Edda. Reykjavík: Mál og menning, 1992, pp. 10-13.
Veröldin var greind í þrjár hálfur frá suðri í vestur og inn að Miðjarðarsjó. Sá hlutur var kallaður Afríka. Hinn syðri hlutur þeirrar deildar er heitur, svo að þar brennur af sólu. Annar hlutur frá vestri til norðurs og inn til hafsins. Er sá kallaður Evrópa eða Enea. Hinn nyrðri hluti er þar svo kaldur að eigi vex gras á og eigi má byggja.
Frá norðri og um austurhálfur allt til suðurs, það er kallað Asía. Í þeim hluta veraldar er öll fegurð og prýði og eignir jarðarávaxtar, gull og gimsteinar. Þar er og mið veröldin. Og svo sem þar er jörðin fegri og betri öllum kostum en í öðrum stöðum, svo var og mannfólkið þar mest tignað af öllum giftunum, spekinni og aflinu, fegurðinni og alls konar kunnustu.
Nær miðri veröldinni var gjört það hús og herbergi er ágætast hefur verið, er kallað er Trója, þar sem vér köllum Tyrkland. Þessi staður var miklu meiri gjör en aðrir og með meiri hagleik á marga lund með kostnaði og föngum er þar voru til. Þar voru tólf konungdómar og einn yfirkonungur, og lágu mörg þjóðlönd til hvers konungdómsins. Þar voru í borginni tólf höfðingjar. Þesir höfðingjar hafa verið umfram aðra menn, þá er verið hafa í veröldu, um alla manndómlega hluti.
Einn konungur er þar var er nefndur Múnón eða Mennón. Hann átti dóttur höfuðkonungsins Príami, sú hét Tróan. Þau áttu son. Hann hét Trór, er vér köllum Þór. Hann var að uppfæðslu í Trakía með hertoga þeim er nefndur er Lóríkus. En er hann var tíu vetra, þá tók hann við vopnum föður síns. Svo var hann fagur álitum er hann kom með öðrum mönnum sem þá er fíls bein er grafið í eik. Hár hans er fegra en gull. Þá er hann var tólf vetra, þá hafði hann fullt afl. Þá lyfti hann af jörðu tíu bjarnstökum öllum senn, og þá drap hann Lóríkum hertoga, fóstra sinn, og konu hans Lórá eða Glórá og eignaði sér ríkið Trakía. Það köllum vér Þrúðheim. Þá fór hann víða um lönd og kannaði allar heimshálfur og sigraði einn saman alla berserki og alla risa og einn hinn mesta dreka og mörg dýr.
Í norðurhálfu heims fann hann spákonu þá er Síbíl hét, er vér köllum Sif, og fékk hennar. Enginn kann segja ætt Sifjar. Hún var allra kvenna fegurst. Hár hennar var sem gull. Þeirra son var Lóriði, er líkur var föður sínum. Hans son var Einriði, hans son Vingeþór, hans son Vingener, hans son Móda, hans son Magi, hans son Seskef, hans son Beðvig, hans son Athra, er vér köllum Annan, hans son Íturmann, hans son Heremóð, hans son Skjaldun, er vér köllum Skjöld, hans son Biaf, er vér köllum Bjár, hans son Iat, hans son Guðólfur, hans son Finn, hans son Friallaf, er vér köllum Friðleif. Hann átti þann son er nefndur er Voden, þann köllum vér Óðin. Hann var ágætur maður af speki og allri atgervi. Kona hans hét Frigida, er vér köllum Frigg.
Óðinn hafði spádóm og svo kona hans og af þeim vísindum fann hann það að nafn hans mundi uppi vera haft í norðurhálfu heims og tignað umfram alla konunga. Fyrir þá sök fýstist hann að byrja ferð sína af Tyrklandi og hafði með sér mikinn fjölda liðs, unga menn og gamla, karla og konur, og höfðu með sér marga gersemlega hluti. En hvar sem þeir fóru yfir land, þá var ágæti mikið frá þeim sagt, svo að þeir þóttu líkari goðum en mönnum. Og þeir gefa eigi stað ferðinni fyrr en þeir koma norður í það land er nú er kallað Saxland. Þar dvaldist Óðinn langar hríðir og eignaðist víða það land.
Þar setti Óðinn til landgæslu þrjá sonu sína. Er einn nefndur Vegdeg. Var hann ríkur konungur og réð fyrir Austur-Saxlandi. Hans sonur var Viturgils, hans synir voru þeir Vitta, faðir Heingess, og Sigar, faðir Svebdeg, er vér köllum Svipdag. Annar sonur Óðins hét Beldeg, er vér köllum Baldur. Hann átti það land er nú heitir Vestfal. Hans son var Brandur, hans son Frjóðigar, er vér köllum Fróða, hans son var Feóvin, hans son Uvig, hans son Gevis, er vér köllum Gave. Hinn þriðji sonur Óðins er nefndur Sigi, hans son Rerir. Þeir langfeðgar réðu þar fyrir er nú er kallað Frakkland, og er þaðan sú ætt komin er kölluð er Völsungar. Frá öllum þessum eru stórar ættir komnar og margar.
Þá byrjaði Óðinn ferð sína norður og kom í það land er þeir kölluðu Reiðgotaland og eignaðist í því landi allt það er hann vildi. Hann setti þar til landa son sinn er Skjöldur hét. Hans son var Friðleifur. Þaðan er sú ætt komin er Skjöldungar heita. Það eru Danakonungar, og það heitir nú Jótland er þá var kallað Reiðgotaland.
Eftir það fór hann norður þar sem nú heitir Svíþjóð. Þar var sá konungur er Gylfi er nefndur. En er hann spyr til ferðar þeirra Asíamanna, er æsir voru kallaðir, fór hann í móti þeim og bauð að Óðinn skyldi slíkt vald hafa í hans ríki sem hann vildi sjálfur, og sá tími fylgdi ferð þeirra að hvar sem þeir dvöldust í löndum, þá var þar ár og friður, og trúðu allir að þeir væru þess ráðandi, því að það sáu ríkismenn að þeir vour ólíkir öðrum mönnum þeim er þeir höfðu séð að fegurð og svo að viti. Þar þótti Óðni fagrir landkostir og kaus sér þar borgstað er nú heita Sigtún. Skipaði hann þar höfðingjum og í þá líking sem verið hafði í Tróju, setti tólf höfuðmenn í staðnum að dæma landslög, og svo skipaði hann réttum öllum sem fyrr hafði verið í Tróju og Tyrkir voru vanir.
Eftir það fór hann norður þar til er sjár tók við honum, sá er þeir hugðu að lægi um öll lönd, og setti þar son sinn til þess ríkis er nú heitir Noregur. Sá er Sæmingur kallaður og telja þar Noregskonungar sínar ættir til hans og svo jarlar og aðrir ríkismenn, svo sem segir í Háleygjatali. En Óðinn hafði með sér þann son sinn er Yngvi er nefndur, er konungur var í Svíþjóðu eftir hann, og eru frá honum komnar þær ættir er Ynglingar eru kallaðir.
Þeir æsir tóku sér kvonföng þar innalands, en sumir sonum sínum, og urðu þessar ættir fjölmennar, að um Saxland og allt þaðan um norðurhálfur dreifðist svo að þeirra tunga Asíamanna var eigin tunga um öll þessi lönd, og það þykjast menn skynja mega af því að rituð eru langfeðganöfn þeirra, að þau nöfn hafa fylgt þessari tungu og þeir æsir hafa haft tunguna norður hingað í heim, í Noreg og í Svíþjóði, í Danmörk og í Saxland, og í Englandi eru forn landsheiti eða staðaheiti þau er skilja má að af annarri tungu eru gefin en þessari.
Translation
Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Anthony Faulkes ed. London: Everyman, 1995, pp. 2-5.
The world was divided into three regions. From south to west and in up to the Mediterranean sea, this part was called Africa. The southern part of this section is hot and burned up by the sun. The second part from west and to the north and in up to the sea, this is called Europe or Enea. The northern part there is cold so that vegetation does not grow and habitation is impossible. From the north and over the eastern regions right to the south, that is called Asia. In that part of the world is all beaty and splendour and wealth of earthly produce, gold and jewels. The middle of the world is there too; and just as the earth there is more beautiful and better in all respects than in other places, so too mankind there was most honoured with all blessings, wisdom and strength, beauty and every kind of skill.
Near the middle of the world was constructed that building and dwelling which has been the most splendid ever, which was called Troy.We call the land there Turkey. This place was built much larger than others and with greater skill in many respects, using the wealth and resources available there. Twelve kingdoms were there and one high king, and many countries were subject to each kingdom. In the city there were twelve chief languages. The twelve rulers of the kingdoms were superior to other people who have lived in the world in all human qualities.
The name of one king there was Munon or Mennon. He was married to the daughter of the high king Priam; she was called Troan. They had a son, he was called Tror; we call him Thor. He was brought up in Thrace by a duke whose name was Loricus. When he was ten he inherited his father’s weapons. He was as beautiful to look at when he came among other people as when ivory is inlaid in oak. His hair is more beautiful than gold. When he was twelve he had reached his full strength. Then he lifted from the ground ten bearskins all at once and then he killed his fosterfather Loricus and his wife Lora or Glora and took possession of the realm of Thrace. We call this Thrudheim. Then he travelled through many countries and explored all quarters of the world and defeated unaided all berserks and giants and one of the greatest dragons and many wild animals. In the northern part of the world he came across a prophetess called Sibyl, whom we call Sif, and married her. No one is able to tell Sif’s ancestry. She was the most beautiful of all women, her hair was like gold. Their son was Loridi, who took after his father; his son was Einridi, his son Vingethor, his son Vingenir, his son Moda, his son Magi, his son Sescef, his son Bedvig, his son Athra, whom we call Annar, his son Itrmann, his son Heremod, his son Scialdun, whom we call Skiold, his son Biaf, whom we call Biar, his son Iat, his son Gudolf, his son Finn, his son Friallaf, whom we call Fridleif. He had a son whose name was Woden, it is him that we call Odin. He was an outstanding person for wisdom and all kinds of accomplishments. His wife was called Frigida, whom we call Frigg. Odin had the gift of prophecy and so did his wife, and from this science hed discovered that his name would be remembered in the northern part of the world and honoured above all kings. For this reason he became eager to set off from Turkey and took with him a very great following, young people and old, men and women, and they took with them many precious things. And whatever countries they passed through, great glory was spoken of them, so that they seemed more like gods than men. And they did not halt their journey until they came north to the country that is now called Saxony. Odin stayed there a long while and gained possession of large parts of that land.
There Odin put in charge of the country three of his sons; one’s name was Veggdegg, he was a powerful king and ruled over East Saxony; his son was Vitrgils, his sons were Vitta, father of Hengest, and Sigar, father of Svebdegg, whom we call Svipdag. Odin’s second son was called Beldegg, whom we call Baldr; he had the country that is now called Westphalia. His son was Brand, his son Friodigar, whom we call Frodi, his son was Freovin, his son Wigg, his son Gewis, whom we call Gavir. Odin’s third son’s name was Siggi, his son Rerir. This dynasty ruled over what is now called France, and from it descended the family called the Volsungs. From all these people great family lines are desceded. Then Odin set off north and came to a country that they called Reidgotaland and gained possession of all he wished in that land. He set over the area a son of his called Skiold; his son was called Fridleif. From them is descended the family called the Skioldungs; they are kings of Denmark, and what was then called Reidgotaland is now called Jutland.
After that Odin went north to what is now called Sweden. There was there a king whose name was Gylfi, and when he learned of the arrival of the men of Asia (who were called Æsir), he went to meet them and offered Odin as much power in his realm as he wished himself. And such was the success that attended their travels that in whatever country they stopped, there was then prosperity and good peace there, and everyone believed that they were responsible for it because the people who had power saw that they were unlike other people they had seen in beauty and wisdom. Odin found the conditions in the country attractive and selected as a site for his city the place which is now called Sigtunir. He also organized rulers there on the same pattern as had been in Troy, set up twelve chiefs in the place to administer the laws of the land, and he established all the legal system as it had previously been in Troy, and to which the Turks were accustomed.
After that he proceeded north to where he was faced by the sea, the one which they thought encircled all lands, and set a son of his over the realm which is now called Norway. He is called Sæming, and the kings of Norway trace their ancestry back to him, as do earls and other rulers, as it says in Haleygiatal. And Odin took with him a son of his whose name was Yngvi, who became king in Sweden, and from him are descended the family lines known as the Ynglings. These Æsir found themselves marriages within the country there, and some of them for their sons too, and these families became extensive, so that throughout Saxony and from there all over the northern regions it spread so that their language, that of the men of Asia, became the mother tongue over all these lands. And people think they can deduce from the records of the names of their ancestors that those names belonged to this language, and that the Æsir brought the language north to this part of the world, to Norway and to Sweden, to Denmark and to Saxony; and in England there are ancient names for regions and places which one can tell com from a different language from this one.
QUESTIONS
How does Snorri’s notion of the division of the world compare with the notion of other Europeans in the Middle Ages?
Try to find other examples describing the centre of the world, and compare them to this one.
Was it commonplace for Europeans to give such a positive description of Asia?
Sources
Árni Björnsson, “Formáli”,in Snorra Edda. Árni Björnsson ed. Reykjavík: Iðunn, 1975, pp. v-xvi.
Anthony Faulkes, “Introduction”, in Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Anthony Faulkes ed. London: Everyman, 1995, pp. xi-xxiii.
Vésteinn Ólason, “Introduction to Snorra Edda”, in Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Bjorn Jonasson ed. [Reykjavik]: Gudrun Publishing, 2003, pp. 7-13.
Introduction
The main purpose of Snorra Edda (Snorri’s Edda) seems to have been to provide a manual in the art of the old Nordic scaldic poetry, oral poetry that was by 1100 principally composed and recited by Icelandic poets at the Norwegian court. This poetry was to a large extent characterised by references to Nordic pagan mythology and thus a large portion of the Snorra Edda is dedicated to pre-Christian beliefs. Indeed it is the most valuable source on the knowledge of these heathen beliefs. It was compiled around 1220, just over two centuries after the people of Iceland converted to Christianity.
The author, Snorri Sturluson was born in Iceland in 1179. He belonged to a prominent family and came to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful politicians in Iceland, as well as enjoying respect at the court of the Norwegian king Hákon Hákonarson. He participated in the struggle amongst Icelandic chieftains for power that characterised the time and was killed at his home in Reykholt in 1241. Snorri is, however , even better known for his literary achievements. In addition to his Edda, other invaluable sources on the ancient Nordic cultural heritage have been attributed to him; with most certainty the sagas of the Norwegian kings Heimskringla, but less so the well known Egils saga.
The text presented here is from the prologue to the work where Snorri considers the origins of the Nordic heathen beliefs (i.e. belief in the gods Æsir). His explanations are twofold. In the first part (not presented here) he describes how men by observation and reason men had created the concept of gods. In the second part he relates how the gods as having been powerful wordly kings originated in Asia Minor (thus, according to Snorri the name Æsir) who came to be honoured as gods. Snorri’s way of explaining the the origins of the heathen faith by pointing to historical figures is generally believed to be modelled on church teachings and the writings of learned men in the Middle Ages.
Original Source
Snorra Edda. Reykjavík: Mál og menning, 1992, pp. 10-13.
Veröldin var greind í þrjár hálfur frá suðri í vestur og inn að Miðjarðarsjó. Sá hlutur var kallaður Afríka. Hinn syðri hlutur þeirrar deildar er heitur, svo að þar brennur af sólu. Annar hlutur frá vestri til norðurs og inn til hafsins. Er sá kallaður Evrópa eða Enea. Hinn nyrðri hluti er þar svo kaldur að eigi vex gras á og eigi má byggja.
Frá norðri og um austurhálfur allt til suðurs, það er kallað Asía. Í þeim hluta veraldar er öll fegurð og prýði og eignir jarðarávaxtar, gull og gimsteinar. Þar er og mið veröldin. Og svo sem þar er jörðin fegri og betri öllum kostum en í öðrum stöðum, svo var og mannfólkið þar mest tignað af öllum giftunum, spekinni og aflinu, fegurðinni og alls konar kunnustu.
Nær miðri veröldinni var gjört það hús og herbergi er ágætast hefur verið, er kallað er Trója, þar sem vér köllum Tyrkland. Þessi staður var miklu meiri gjör en aðrir og með meiri hagleik á marga lund með kostnaði og föngum er þar voru til. Þar voru tólf konungdómar og einn yfirkonungur, og lágu mörg þjóðlönd til hvers konungdómsins. Þar voru í borginni tólf höfðingjar. Þesir höfðingjar hafa verið umfram aðra menn, þá er verið hafa í veröldu, um alla manndómlega hluti.
Einn konungur er þar var er nefndur Múnón eða Mennón. Hann átti dóttur höfuðkonungsins Príami, sú hét Tróan. Þau áttu son. Hann hét Trór, er vér köllum Þór. Hann var að uppfæðslu í Trakía með hertoga þeim er nefndur er Lóríkus. En er hann var tíu vetra, þá tók hann við vopnum föður síns. Svo var hann fagur álitum er hann kom með öðrum mönnum sem þá er fíls bein er grafið í eik. Hár hans er fegra en gull. Þá er hann var tólf vetra, þá hafði hann fullt afl. Þá lyfti hann af jörðu tíu bjarnstökum öllum senn, og þá drap hann Lóríkum hertoga, fóstra sinn, og konu hans Lórá eða Glórá og eignaði sér ríkið Trakía. Það köllum vér Þrúðheim. Þá fór hann víða um lönd og kannaði allar heimshálfur og sigraði einn saman alla berserki og alla risa og einn hinn mesta dreka og mörg dýr.
Í norðurhálfu heims fann hann spákonu þá er Síbíl hét, er vér köllum Sif, og fékk hennar. Enginn kann segja ætt Sifjar. Hún var allra kvenna fegurst. Hár hennar var sem gull. Þeirra son var Lóriði, er líkur var föður sínum. Hans son var Einriði, hans son Vingeþór, hans son Vingener, hans son Móda, hans son Magi, hans son Seskef, hans son Beðvig, hans son Athra, er vér köllum Annan, hans son Íturmann, hans son Heremóð, hans son Skjaldun, er vér köllum Skjöld, hans son Biaf, er vér köllum Bjár, hans son Iat, hans son Guðólfur, hans son Finn, hans son Friallaf, er vér köllum Friðleif. Hann átti þann son er nefndur er Voden, þann köllum vér Óðin. Hann var ágætur maður af speki og allri atgervi. Kona hans hét Frigida, er vér köllum Frigg.
Óðinn hafði spádóm og svo kona hans og af þeim vísindum fann hann það að nafn hans mundi uppi vera haft í norðurhálfu heims og tignað umfram alla konunga. Fyrir þá sök fýstist hann að byrja ferð sína af Tyrklandi og hafði með sér mikinn fjölda liðs, unga menn og gamla, karla og konur, og höfðu með sér marga gersemlega hluti. En hvar sem þeir fóru yfir land, þá var ágæti mikið frá þeim sagt, svo að þeir þóttu líkari goðum en mönnum. Og þeir gefa eigi stað ferðinni fyrr en þeir koma norður í það land er nú er kallað Saxland. Þar dvaldist Óðinn langar hríðir og eignaðist víða það land.
Þar setti Óðinn til landgæslu þrjá sonu sína. Er einn nefndur Vegdeg. Var hann ríkur konungur og réð fyrir Austur-Saxlandi. Hans sonur var Viturgils, hans synir voru þeir Vitta, faðir Heingess, og Sigar, faðir Svebdeg, er vér köllum Svipdag. Annar sonur Óðins hét Beldeg, er vér köllum Baldur. Hann átti það land er nú heitir Vestfal. Hans son var Brandur, hans son Frjóðigar, er vér köllum Fróða, hans son var Feóvin, hans son Uvig, hans son Gevis, er vér köllum Gave. Hinn þriðji sonur Óðins er nefndur Sigi, hans son Rerir. Þeir langfeðgar réðu þar fyrir er nú er kallað Frakkland, og er þaðan sú ætt komin er kölluð er Völsungar. Frá öllum þessum eru stórar ættir komnar og margar.
Þá byrjaði Óðinn ferð sína norður og kom í það land er þeir kölluðu Reiðgotaland og eignaðist í því landi allt það er hann vildi. Hann setti þar til landa son sinn er Skjöldur hét. Hans son var Friðleifur. Þaðan er sú ætt komin er Skjöldungar heita. Það eru Danakonungar, og það heitir nú Jótland er þá var kallað Reiðgotaland.
Eftir það fór hann norður þar sem nú heitir Svíþjóð. Þar var sá konungur er Gylfi er nefndur. En er hann spyr til ferðar þeirra Asíamanna, er æsir voru kallaðir, fór hann í móti þeim og bauð að Óðinn skyldi slíkt vald hafa í hans ríki sem hann vildi sjálfur, og sá tími fylgdi ferð þeirra að hvar sem þeir dvöldust í löndum, þá var þar ár og friður, og trúðu allir að þeir væru þess ráðandi, því að það sáu ríkismenn að þeir vour ólíkir öðrum mönnum þeim er þeir höfðu séð að fegurð og svo að viti. Þar þótti Óðni fagrir landkostir og kaus sér þar borgstað er nú heita Sigtún. Skipaði hann þar höfðingjum og í þá líking sem verið hafði í Tróju, setti tólf höfuðmenn í staðnum að dæma landslög, og svo skipaði hann réttum öllum sem fyrr hafði verið í Tróju og Tyrkir voru vanir.
Eftir það fór hann norður þar til er sjár tók við honum, sá er þeir hugðu að lægi um öll lönd, og setti þar son sinn til þess ríkis er nú heitir Noregur. Sá er Sæmingur kallaður og telja þar Noregskonungar sínar ættir til hans og svo jarlar og aðrir ríkismenn, svo sem segir í Háleygjatali. En Óðinn hafði með sér þann son sinn er Yngvi er nefndur, er konungur var í Svíþjóðu eftir hann, og eru frá honum komnar þær ættir er Ynglingar eru kallaðir.
Þeir æsir tóku sér kvonföng þar innalands, en sumir sonum sínum, og urðu þessar ættir fjölmennar, að um Saxland og allt þaðan um norðurhálfur dreifðist svo að þeirra tunga Asíamanna var eigin tunga um öll þessi lönd, og það þykjast menn skynja mega af því að rituð eru langfeðganöfn þeirra, að þau nöfn hafa fylgt þessari tungu og þeir æsir hafa haft tunguna norður hingað í heim, í Noreg og í Svíþjóði, í Danmörk og í Saxland, og í Englandi eru forn landsheiti eða staðaheiti þau er skilja má að af annarri tungu eru gefin en þessari.
Translation
Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Anthony Faulkes ed. London: Everyman, 1995, pp. 2-5.
The world was divided into three regions. From south to west and in up to the Mediterranean sea, this part was called Africa. The southern part of this section is hot and burned up by the sun. The second part from west and to the north and in up to the sea, this is called Europe or Enea. The northern part there is cold so that vegetation does not grow and habitation is impossible. From the north and over the eastern regions right to the south, that is called Asia. In that part of the world is all beaty and splendour and wealth of earthly produce, gold and jewels. The middle of the world is there too; and just as the earth there is more beautiful and better in all respects than in other places, so too mankind there was most honoured with all blessings, wisdom and strength, beauty and every kind of skill.
Near the middle of the world was constructed that building and dwelling which has been the most splendid ever, which was called Troy.We call the land there Turkey. This place was built much larger than others and with greater skill in many respects, using the wealth and resources available there. Twelve kingdoms were there and one high king, and many countries were subject to each kingdom. In the city there were twelve chief languages. The twelve rulers of the kingdoms were superior to other people who have lived in the world in all human qualities.
The name of one king there was Munon or Mennon. He was married to the daughter of the high king Priam; she was called Troan. They had a son, he was called Tror; we call him Thor. He was brought up in Thrace by a duke whose name was Loricus. When he was ten he inherited his father’s weapons. He was as beautiful to look at when he came among other people as when ivory is inlaid in oak. His hair is more beautiful than gold. When he was twelve he had reached his full strength. Then he lifted from the ground ten bearskins all at once and then he killed his fosterfather Loricus and his wife Lora or Glora and took possession of the realm of Thrace. We call this Thrudheim. Then he travelled through many countries and explored all quarters of the world and defeated unaided all berserks and giants and one of the greatest dragons and many wild animals. In the northern part of the world he came across a prophetess called Sibyl, whom we call Sif, and married her. No one is able to tell Sif’s ancestry. She was the most beautiful of all women, her hair was like gold. Their son was Loridi, who took after his father; his son was Einridi, his son Vingethor, his son Vingenir, his son Moda, his son Magi, his son Sescef, his son Bedvig, his son Athra, whom we call Annar, his son Itrmann, his son Heremod, his son Scialdun, whom we call Skiold, his son Biaf, whom we call Biar, his son Iat, his son Gudolf, his son Finn, his son Friallaf, whom we call Fridleif. He had a son whose name was Woden, it is him that we call Odin. He was an outstanding person for wisdom and all kinds of accomplishments. His wife was called Frigida, whom we call Frigg. Odin had the gift of prophecy and so did his wife, and from this science hed discovered that his name would be remembered in the northern part of the world and honoured above all kings. For this reason he became eager to set off from Turkey and took with him a very great following, young people and old, men and women, and they took with them many precious things. And whatever countries they passed through, great glory was spoken of them, so that they seemed more like gods than men. And they did not halt their journey until they came north to the country that is now called Saxony. Odin stayed there a long while and gained possession of large parts of that land.
There Odin put in charge of the country three of his sons; one’s name was Veggdegg, he was a powerful king and ruled over East Saxony; his son was Vitrgils, his sons were Vitta, father of Hengest, and Sigar, father of Svebdegg, whom we call Svipdag. Odin’s second son was called Beldegg, whom we call Baldr; he had the country that is now called Westphalia. His son was Brand, his son Friodigar, whom we call Frodi, his son was Freovin, his son Wigg, his son Gewis, whom we call Gavir. Odin’s third son’s name was Siggi, his son Rerir. This dynasty ruled over what is now called France, and from it descended the family called the Volsungs. From all these people great family lines are desceded. Then Odin set off north and came to a country that they called Reidgotaland and gained possession of all he wished in that land. He set over the area a son of his called Skiold; his son was called Fridleif. From them is descended the family called the Skioldungs; they are kings of Denmark, and what was then called Reidgotaland is now called Jutland.
After that Odin went north to what is now called Sweden. There was there a king whose name was Gylfi, and when he learned of the arrival of the men of Asia (who were called Æsir), he went to meet them and offered Odin as much power in his realm as he wished himself. And such was the success that attended their travels that in whatever country they stopped, there was then prosperity and good peace there, and everyone believed that they were responsible for it because the people who had power saw that they were unlike other people they had seen in beauty and wisdom. Odin found the conditions in the country attractive and selected as a site for his city the place which is now called Sigtunir. He also organized rulers there on the same pattern as had been in Troy, set up twelve chiefs in the place to administer the laws of the land, and he established all the legal system as it had previously been in Troy, and to which the Turks were accustomed.
After that he proceeded north to where he was faced by the sea, the one which they thought encircled all lands, and set a son of his over the realm which is now called Norway. He is called Sæming, and the kings of Norway trace their ancestry back to him, as do earls and other rulers, as it says in Haleygiatal. And Odin took with him a son of his whose name was Yngvi, who became king in Sweden, and from him are descended the family lines known as the Ynglings. These Æsir found themselves marriages within the country there, and some of them for their sons too, and these families became extensive, so that throughout Saxony and from there all over the northern regions it spread so that their language, that of the men of Asia, became the mother tongue over all these lands. And people think they can deduce from the records of the names of their ancestors that those names belonged to this language, and that the Æsir brought the language north to this part of the world, to Norway and to Sweden, to Denmark and to Saxony; and in England there are ancient names for regions and places which one can tell com from a different language from this one.
QUESTIONS
How does Snorri’s notion of the division of the world compare with the notion of other Europeans in the Middle Ages?
Try to find other examples describing the centre of the world, and compare them to this one.
Was it commonplace for Europeans to give such a positive description of Asia?
Sources
Árni Björnsson, “Formáli”,in Snorra Edda. Árni Björnsson ed. Reykjavík: Iðunn, 1975, pp. v-xvi.
Anthony Faulkes, “Introduction”, in Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Anthony Faulkes ed. London: Everyman, 1995, pp. xi-xxiii.
Vésteinn Ólason, “Introduction to Snorra Edda”, in Snorri Sturluson, Edda. Bjorn Jonasson ed. [Reykjavik]: Gudrun Publishing, 2003, pp. 7-13.
