Hans-Jürgen Hube - Thidrek's Saga / Book
The Nordic Dietrich and Nibelung saga
At the heart of the Thidreks Saga lies the life of King Thidrek of Bern and his twelve warriors. This great North European compilation of sagas from the 13th century has its origins in German heroic legends, such as the Nibelungenlied or the legends of Dietrich von Bern. Rich in dialogue and gripping in its narrative, the collection recounts Thidrek's youth and education, his expulsion from his kingdom by King Ermanrik, his exile under King Atli, the subsequent victory over the invaders, and Thidrek's return. Other well-known heroic sagas, such as the Volsunga, the Niflunga, and the Thetleif Saga, as well as legends from Eastern Europe, are grouped around the title character and supplemented by Old Norse sources, such as the Edda. But who was the Thidrek of this collection of sagas really? Was he Theodoric the Great, the king of ancient Italy, or perhaps a petty Rhenish king? Hans-Jürgen Hube explores this riddle in the notes and afterword, as well as the question of the origin of the heroic saga and its significance in literary and historical terms.
- 448 pages
- bound with dust jacket
- Format 20 x 12.5 cm.