Otte

Otte, author of the Middle High German poem Eraclius, written c.1210 probably for the Thuringian court of Landgraf Hermann. The poem (of some 5, 000 lines) is based on a French original. It falls into three parts. The first, of oriental origin, recounts Eraclius' childhood and his acquisition of the magic gift of distinguishing the true from the false in precious stones, horses, and women. The second takes place while Eraclius is away at the wars with the Emperor Focas, whom he serves; Athenais, the Emperor's young consort, is unfaithful, and her infidelity is detected by Eraclius, who also achieves a reconciliation. The third part is the legend of Eraclius, who regains from Cosdras, King of the Persians, the stolen Holy Cross.