Berig is a legendary king of the Goths appearing in the Getica by Jordanes. According to Jordanes, Berig led his people on three ships from Scandza (Scandinavia) to Gothiscandza (the Vistula Basin).[1] They settled and then attacked the Rugians who lived on the shore and drove them away from their homes, subsequently winning a battle against the Vandals. According to Jordanes, this happened around 1490 BC.[2]
Berig is not otherwise known. Cassiodorus, who wrote the original text on which Jordanes' work is based, may have invented him, with inspiration from the name of Βέρικος (Berikos or Verica).[3] Recent archaeological research demonstrates that the transition of Oksywie culture into Wielbark culture was peaceful. Its timing coincides with the appearance of new population of Scandinavian origins in previously uninhabited area ("no man's land") between the Oksywie and Przeworsk culture areas.[4]
The Swedish song known as the "Ballad of Eric" tells the story of Berig, here called Eric. It was once thought to contain authentic folk tradition about the king, but it is now regarded as fake created in the 16th century.[5][6]
Notes
- ^ Jordanes, Mierow, ed., Getica 25, http://www.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#IV
- ^ Jordanes, Mierow, ed., Getica 313, http://www.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#LX
- ^ Arne Søby Christensen (2002), Cassiodorus, Jordanes, and the History of the Goths. Studies in a Migration Myth, pp. 303, ISBN 978-87-7289-710-3
- ^ Kokowski 1999
- ^ K.R. Geete (1907), "Eriksvisan", Nordisk familjebok, http://runeberg.org/nfbg/0426.html
- ^ Bengt R. Jonsson (1967), "Balladpastischer", Svensk balladtradition, pp. 676–681
References
- (German) Andrzej Kokowski "Archäologie der Goten" 1999 (ISBN 83-907341-8-4)
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