Ermanaric
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Ermanaric (d. 376) was a King of the Gothic Greuthungi. As king, he allegedly ruled a vast empire located in today's Ukraine. The exact limits of his territory, however, are obscure, but it seems to have stretched south of the Pripet Marshes between the Don and Dniester rivers.
[edit] Historical accounts
Ermanaric is mentioned in two Roman sources; the 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 Huns, who invaded his territories in the 370s. His kingdom was destroyed and his people became subject to the Huns for about 75 years.
According to Jordanes, the realm Ermanaric ruled was called Oium. Jordanes also states that the king put to death a young woman named Sunilda by tying her to four wild horses and driving them apart, because her husband had treacherously deserted him. Thereupon her two brothers, Sarus and Ammius, severely wounded Ermanaric. 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.
[edit] 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:
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.[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.
