The most interesting discussions of the religion and polity of the Rugians aka Ranii are found in Saxo Grammaticus‘ Gesta Danorum (Deeds of the Danes) or the Knytlinga Saga (and others) – to each of which we will get in due time. However, there are other sources on the topic and Helmold does not fail to mention them in his Chronica Slavorum. We previously presented his depiction of the various other Slavic tribes, purposely leaving out the Ranii as deserving their own chapter. Now we come to these sea dwellers of the island of Ruegen. We follow the same pattern as previously, giving the English version and the Latin one, for the simple reason that a searchable Latin version is (slightly) difficult to access and present in order.
Arkona – the remaining portion of the temple walls is visible
We leave the etymologies of Arkona, Svantevit for another time – noting only that if Arkona comes from orkan (as in storm, strong wind) then orkan‘s own etymology out of the Mayan or Carib huracan may be put to bed… unless the Vikings sailed to the Caribbean too.
(There were other tribes in history who bore the name Rugii, namely a Germanic tribe, that wend its way down south (and it is of that tribe that Odoacer – the man who overthrew the last emperor of Rome – may have been). We do not discuss here the connection, if any, between the Slavic Ranii and these other Rugians – a topic also for another day, we believe).
Helmold Book 1 Chapter 2
(De Civitate Iumneta – Of the City of Iumneta [Wolin])
English:
“Ranii that is Rugii are a mighty Slavic people who alone among the Slavs has a king; without talking with these people, no public matter may be undertaken for they are afraid of them [this people] on account of the favor that they [Ranii] have with the Gods or rather demons, who they worship. These are the peoples of the Winulli [Wends – Winuli are a name of a Scandinavian tribe or perhaps…] who are spread out among the different regions and provinces and islands of the sea. All those peoples who are dedicated to worshipping idols, always on the move and moving about, engaged in sea piracy.”
Latin:
“Rani, qui et Rugiani, gens fortissima Slavorum, qui soli habent regem, extra quorum sententiam nichil agi de publicis rebus fas est, adeo metuuntur propter familiaritatem deorum vel pocius demonum, quos maiori pre ceteris cultura venerantur. Hii igitur sunt Winulorum populi diffusi per regiones et provincias et insulas maris. Omne hoc hominum genus ydolatriae cultui deditum, vagum semper et mobile, piraticas exercentes predas.“
Helmold Book 1 Chapter 6
(De conversione Ruianorum – Of the Conversion of the Rugians/Rugii)
English:
“[One should not wonder that the worthiest priests and evangelists, [Saint] Ansgar [of Birka Sweden fame], [Saint] Rembert/Rimbert and the sixth Unni [i.e., the sixth of the Unnis – must have been a popular name], who shone brightly with eagerness of converting nations, they, when it came to the Slavs, gave up in their attempts [to convert them], and neither they themselves nor [other] priests did not, as it seems to be written, pick any fruits [of conversion] among them [the Slavs]. This has happened so, not on account of any delinquency on the part of the missionaries, whose mind was given to the conversion of peoples so much so that they did not spare either treasure or their lives, but rather on account of the extraordinary stubbornness of this nation/people [Slavs].”
Latin:
“Non caret igitur admiratione, quod dignissimi presules et ewangelici predicatores, Anscarius, Reimbertus et sextus in ordine Unni, quorum in conversione gentium ingens claruit studium, Sclavorum curam tantopere dissimulaverint, ut nec per se nec per ministros aliquem in eis fructum fecisse legantur. Effecit hoc, ut estimo, populi huius invincibilis duritia, non autem predicatorum torpor, quibus animus circa vocationem gentium adeo fuit affectus, ut nec opibus nec vite pepercerint.“
English:
“An old tale tells that during the times of Ludwig the German/Ludwig II, there came out of Corbey monks shining with holiness, who desiring the salvation of the Slavs, sacrificed themselves to tell the Word of God despite the dangers that awaited them and even death itself. After having traversed many Slavic countries, they came to these who are called Ranii or Rugianii [Rugii/Rugians] and who live in the middle of the sea. There is the hive of errors, there is the capital of idolatry. While telling among them the Word of God with deep faith, they won over the entire island and founded there a house of prayer to honor our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and so as to horn our Saint Vitus, the patron of Corvey. But later, when God allowed things to change, the Ranii fell away from the faith and expelling the priests and Christians, they changed the religion into a superstition. They honor Saint Vitus namely, who we consider a martyr and a servant of Christ, as a God, placing the creature higher than the Creator. There is no barbarity under the sun, which should generate a greater disgust among Christians and priests. They glorify the name of Saint Vitus to whom they’ve built a temple and a statue with the greatest grandeur, according him primacy among the Gods. There all the Slavs come to seek answers/auguries, there they send offerings every year. Merchants who happen to arrive at these places do not receive permission to trade [to buy/sell] until they first make offerings to this God of some expensive items from their merchandise – only then can they display their wares publicly in the market. Their priest they honor no less than [their] king. From that time, when they first fell away from the faith, this superstition has lasted among the Ranii to this day.”
Latin:
“Tradit enim veterum antiqua relatio, quod temporibus Lodewici secundi egressi fuerint de Corbeia monachi sanctitate insignes, qui Sclavorum salutem sitientes impenderunt se ipsos ad subeunda pericula et mortes pro legatione verbi Dei. Peragratisque multis Slavorum provinciis pervenerunt ad eos qui dicuntur Rani sive Rugiani et habitant in corde maris. Ibi fomes est errorum et sedes ydolatriae. Predicantes itaque verbum Dei cum omni fiducia omnem illam insulam lucrati sunt, ubi etiam oratorium fundaverunt in honorem domini ac salvatoris nostri Iesu Christi et in commemoracionem sancti Viti, qui est patronus Corbeiae. Postquam autem, permittente Deo mutatis rebus, Rani a fide defecerunt, statim pulsis sacerdotibus atque Christicolis religionem verterunt in supersticionem. Nam sanctum Vitum, quem nos martirem ac servum Christi confitemur, ipsi pro Deo venrantur, creaturam anteponentes creatori. Nec est aliqua barbaries sub celo, quae Christicolas ac sacerdotes magis exorreat; solo nomine sancti Viti gloriantur, cui etiam templum et simulachrum amplissimo cultu dedicaverunt, illi primatum deitatis specialiter attribuentes. De omnibus quoque provincis Slavorum illic responsa petuntur et sacrificiorum exhibentur annuae soluciones. Sed nec mercatoribus, qui forte ad illas sedes appulerint, patet ulla facultas vendendi vel emendi, nisi prius de mercibus suis deo ipsorum preciosa quaeque libaverint, et tunc demum mercimonia foro publicantur. Flaminem suum nonminus quam regem venerantur. Ab eo igitur tempore, quo primo fidei renuntiaverunt, haec supersticio apud Ranos perseverat usque in hodiernum diem.“
Helmold Book 1 Chapter 36
(De Interfectione Rugianorum – Of the Defeat of the Rugii)
English:
“These Ranii who are also called by some Runii, they are a cruel nation, living in the middle of the sea, and especially given to idolatry. They lead all the Slavs/are the most important of all the Slavs, they have a king and a most famous temple. Thus, on account of the special veneration of this temple, in which veneration they take first place, they impose their yoke on others but themselves refuse it, being safe by reason of the inaccessibility of the place [i.e., their location]; and the people that their arms conquer they force to pay tribute to temple. They respect their archpriest more than their king and where he/fates [archpriest after determining the fates?] tells them so they send their armies. After received victory they take the gold and the silver to the treasury of their God, dividing the rest amongst themselves.”
Latin:
“Sunt autem Rani, qui ab aliis Runi appelantur, populi crudeles, habitantes in corde maris, ydolatriae supra modum dediti, primatum preferentes in omni Slavorum nacione, habentes regem et fanum celeberrimum. Unde etiam propter specialem fani illius cultum primum veneracionis locum optinent, et cum multis iugum imponant, ipsi nullius iugum paciuntur, eo quod inaccessibiles sint propter difficultates locorum. Gentes, quas armis subegerint, fano suo censuales faciunt; maior flaminis quam regis veneracio apud ipsos est Qua sors ostenderit, exercitum dirigunt. Victores aurum et argentum in erarium Dei sui conferunt, cetera inter se partiuntur.“
Helmold Book 1 Chapter 38
(Expeditio Sclaroum in terram Ruianorum – Slavic expeditions in the Country of the Rugii)
English:
“When the Rugii saw the might of the men [of the Saxons], they were terribly afraid and they sent their priest to sue for peace.”
[ultimately, the price of peace was 4,400 marks]
Latin:
“Videntes igitur Rugiani impetum viri timuerunt timore magno miseruntque flaminem suum, qui cum ipso de pace componeret.”
Helmold Book 1 Chapter 52
(De Ritu Sclavorum – Of the Customs of the Slavs)
English:
“Among Slavic Gods of different shapes the one that shines brightest is Svantevit, the God of the country of the Rugii, as more accurate/successful in his answers [i.e., as an oracle]. In comparison with Him, the Others they treat as if they be demigods. Therefore, to show special veneration for Him, they sacrifice, usually once a year, one Christian chosen by fate. Besides this, from all of the Slavic countries they send there [to Ruegen/Rugia] offerings such as they determine [in those countries or maybe at the Svantevit temple?]. With special veneration and diligence do they care to serve the temple itself. For they do not easily permit oaths and do not permit people to enter the circle of the temple even when enemies should come.”
[presumably, this meant that the walled temple with its guards was nevertheless not in the business of offering a sanctuary]
Latin:
“Inter multiformia autem Slavorum numina prepollet Zuantevith, deus terrae Rugianorum, utpote efficacior in responsis, cuius intuitu ceteros quasi semideos estimabant. Christicolam, quem sors acceptaverit, eidem litare consueverunt. Quin et de omnibus Slavorum provinciis statutas sacrificiorum impensas illo transmittebant. Mira autem reverentia circa fani dilligentiam affecti sunt; nam neque iuramentis facile indulgent neque ambitum fani vel in hostibus temerari paciuntur.”
Helmold Book 2 Chapter 12
(De Zvantevit Ruianorum simulachro – Of Svantevit)
English:
“In those days Waldemar [the first], the Danish King assembled a great army and many ships, so as to set out to the country of the Rugii, which he desired to bring under his power. He was helped by dukes Kazimir and Boguslaw, the Pomeranian dukes as well as by Pribislav the Obotrite duke – for the duke [Saxon] ordered the Slavs to help the Danish King, wherever he should turn his arm to conquer foreign nations. And the Danish King was lucky and, with a strong hand, he established his rule over the Rugii and so as to save their lives, they gave everything to him that he demanded. He ordered then to bring forth that certain ancient statue of Svantevit, which was worshipped by all the Slavic peoples and ordered to put a leash/rope on his neck and to pull it between the warriors [his warrior] to be witnessed by the eyes of the Slavs and after having it chopped to pieces to toss into the fire. He destroyed too the temple with all of its holy relics and looted its rich treasury. He ordered the Slavs too to rid themselves of their errors in which they were born and to worship the true God. He gave, therefore, monies for the raising of churches and they built twelve of them in the land of the Rugii and he established priests so that they should school the people as to what belongs to God. The bishops present there were Absalon from Roskilde and Berno [Apostle of the Obotrites] from Magnopolis [Mecklenburg]. They helped the King with eagerness to imbue the veneration of our God among a people so godless and deceptive. The duke of the Rugii was at that time Jaromarus who having heard about the true worship of God and the Catholic faith, rushed towards accepting holy baptism, ordering also the others of his people that they should renew themselves in the holy baptism. After becoming a Christian, he was so strong in the faith, so constant in the telling of God’s Word, that one might say that Christ had called forth a new Paul, who taking on evangelical responsibilities, brought a stubborn nation that raged with animal wildness, partly with constant preaching of the Word of God, partly with threats, [to turn away] from their inborn savagery onto the new faith.”
Latin:
“In tempore illo congregavit Waldemarus, rex Danorum, exercitum grandem et naves multas, ut iret in terram Rugianorum ad subiugandum eam sibi. Et adiumverunt eum Kazemarus et Buggezlavus, principes Pomeranorum, et Pribizlavus princeps Obotritorum, eo quod mandasset dux Sclavis ferre auxilium regi Danorum, ubicunque forte manum admovisset subiugandis exteris nationibus. Prosperatum est igitur opus in manibus regis Danorum, et obtinuit terram Rugianorum in manu potenti, et dederunt ei pro sui redemptione quicquid rex imposuisset. Et fecit produci simulachrum illud antiquissimum Zuantevith, quod colebatur ab omni natione Sclavorum, et iussit mitti funem in collo eius et trahi per medium exercitum in oculis Sclavorum, et frustatim concisum in ignem mitti. Et destruxit fanum cum omni religione sua et erarium locuples diripuit. Et precepit, ut discederent ab erroribus suis, in quibus nati fuerant, et assumerent cultum veri Dei. Et dedit sumptus in edificia ecclesiarum, et erecte sunt duodecim ecclesie in terra Rugianorum et constituti sunt sacerdotes, qui gererent populi curam in hiis que Dei sunt. Et affuerunt illic pontifices Absalon de Roschilde et Berno de Magnopoli. Hii adiuverunt manus regis cum omni diligentis, ut fundaretur cultus comus Dei nostri in natione prava atque perversa. Erat autem tunc temporis princeps rugia norum vir nobilis laremarus, qui audita veri Dei cultura et fide catholica alacriter ad baptisma convolavit, precipiens omnibus suis etiam, secum sacro baptismate renovari. Ipse vero factus christianus tam in fide firmus, quam in predicatione erat stabilis, ut secundum Paulum iam a Christo vocatum videress, qui fungens vice apostoli gentem rudem et beluina rabie sevientem partim predicatione assidua, partim minis ab innata sibi feritate ad nove conversationis religionem convertebat.”
English:
“From all the Slavic lands namely, divided into countries and duchies, alone only the nation of the Rugii, more stubborn than the others, up until our time was left in the darkness of unfaith, being unaccessible for anyone on account of the sea which surrounds it from all sides. A dark legend tells that Ludwig [the German/Ludwig II] son of Karl [Charlemagne] gave the land of the Rugii to Saint Vitus in Corbey, for he himself was the founder of that abbey [i.e., Abbey of Corvey]. From there came those who spread the Word of God and those, as they say, converted to the holy faith the people of [the isle of] Rugia, that is the Ranii and there they built a temple under the calling of Saint Vitus the martyr, to whose veneration this country was given. But later, when the Ranii, who are also called the Rugii, when circumstances changed, rejected the light of truth, their error became greater still than the earlier one. For Saint Vitus, who we pronounce a servant of the Lord, the Ranii began to honor as God and built a great statue to him, preferring to serve the creation rather than the Creator. This superstition took on such a force that Svantevit God of the Land of the Rugii took, among all the Gods of the Slavs, the foremost place. For he shone with the brightest victories [presumably in battle] and his auguries were the [most accurate?]. For this reason, even in our time, not just the country of the Wagrii but all the Slavic countries sent their an annual tribute, attesting that He is the God of Gods. Their king is of less importance to them than their priest. For the priest studies [the God’s] answers and fortune telling/auguries. The priest’s standing depends on the auguries but the king’s and his people’s standing depends on him [the priest].”
Latin:
“De omni enim natione Sclavorum, que dividitur in provincias et principatus, sola Rugianorum gens durior ceteris in tenebris infidelitatis usque ad nostra tempora perduravit, omnibus inaccessibilis propter maris circumiacentia. Tenuis autem fama commemorat, Lodewicum, Karoli filium, olim terram Rugianorum obtulisse beato Vito in Corbeia, eo quod ipse fundator extiterit cenobii illius. Inde egressi predicatores gentem Rugianorum sive Ranorum ad fidem convertisse feruntur, illicque oratorium fundasse in honore Viti martyris, cuius venerationi provincia consignita est. Postmodum vero ubi Rani, qui et Rugiani, mutatis rebus a luce veritatis aberrarunt, factus est error peior priore, nam sanctum Vitum, quem nos servum Dei confitemur, Rani pro deo colere ceperunt, fingentes ei simulachrum maximum, et servierunt creature potius quam creatori. Adeo autem hec superstitio apud Ranos invaluit, ut Zvantevit deus terre Rugianorum inter omnia numina Sclavorum primatum obtinuerit, clarior in victoriis, efficacior in responsis. Unde etiam nostra adhuc etate non solum Wagirensis terra, sed omnes Sclavorum provincie, illuc tributa annuatim transmittebant, illum deum deorum esse profitentes. Rex apud eos modice estimationis est comparatione flaminis. Ille enim responsa perqurit et eventus sortium explorat. Ille ad nutum sortium, porro rex et populus ad illius nutum pendent.”
English:
“Among the many different offerings, the priest would, on occasion, bring a Christian to sacrifice, while convincing the people that the Gods like this type of blood especially. It happened a few years back that there came together a great number of merchants. For in [October/November?] when the winds blow with great strength, a great number of herring appear there and then the merchants have free access so long as they pay the God of this land the levies that are due him. There was there at the time, a certain Gottschalk, God’s servant from Bardevich, who had been invited so as to, with so many people [being there and then] in attendance, do God’s service. That [the fact of Gottschalk’s presence”] did not remain hidden from this barbarous priest, who, having called the king and the people, told them, that the Gods were greatly angered, and that their anger cannot be assuaged but with the blood of the priest [i.e., Gottschalk], who dared to hold foreign religious rites among them. Then a mob of the frightened barbarian people calls onto the merchants and asks them that they should surrender the priest so as to bring him as an offering to appease [their] God. When the Christians refused the people offered them one hundred marks. But when they failed to get the priest handed over, they began to try force and, the next day, they declared a war. Then the merchants, having half-loaded their boats, went on their way and having set their sails out towards friendly winds they saved themselves and the priest from terrible danger.”
Latin:
“Inter varia autem libamenta sacerdos nonnunquam hominem christianum litare solebat, huiuscemodi cruore deos omnino delectari iactitans. Accidit ante paucos annos, maximam institorum multitudinem eo convenisse piscationis gratia. In Novembri enim flante vehementius vento multum illic hallec capitur, et patet mercatoribus liber accessus, si tamen ante deo terre legitima sua persolverint. Affuit tunc forte Godescalcus quidam sacerdos Domini de Bardewich, invitatus ut in tanta populorum frequentia ageret ea que Dei sunt. Nec hoc latuit diu sacerdotem illum barbarum, et accersitis rege et populo ninciat, irata vehementius numina, nec aliter posse placari nisi cruore sacerdotis qui peregrinum inter eos sacrificium offerre presumpsisset. Tunc barbara gens attonita convocat institorum cohortem, rogatque sibi dari sacerdotem, ut offerat deo suo placabilem hostiam. Renitentibus christianis, centum marcas offerunt in munere. Sed cum nil proficerent, ceperunt intentare vim et crastina bellum indicere. Tunc institores onustis iam de captura navibus, nocte illa iter aggressi sunt, et secundis ventis vela credentes tam se quam sacerdotem atrocibus ademere periculis.”
English:
“Although the Ranii were marked more than other Slavs with a greater hate towards Christians and their country was a hive of superstition they also shone brightly with many an inborn virtue. For their hospitality is the greatest and they give proper respect towards their parents. Also, there are no paupers or beggars amongst them. For if there was among them a feeble or decrepit man they immediately gave him into the care of one of his descendants/relatives who was obligated to care for him with all the humanity. Hospitality and caring for parents/elders are the foremost virtues of the Slavs. Also the country of the Rugii is fertile and full offish and wild animals. The main city of this country is called Archona [Arkona].”
Latin:
“Quamvis autem odium christiani nominis et superstitionum fomes plus omnibus Sclavis apud Ranos invaluerit, pollebant tamen multis naturalibus bonis. Erat enim apud eos hospitalitatis plenitudo, et parentibus debitum exhibent honorem. Nec enim aliquis egenus aut mendicus apud eos aliquando reprrtus est. Statim enim, ut aliquem inter eos aut debilem fecerit infirmitas aut decrepitum etas, heredis cure delegatur plena humanitate fovendus. Hospitalitatis enim gratia et parentum cura primum apud Sclavos virtutis locum optinent. Ceterum Rugianorum terra ferax frugum, piscium atque ferarum est. Urbs terre illius principalis dicitur Archona.”
Further Thoughts
Regarding the Saint Vitus of Corvey legend (which is found in Saxo’s Gesta Danorum and which Helmold relates twice), it is difficult to know what to think. We note that the story is plausible seeing as no other Vitus’ were present as gods anywhere else in Slavic lands. On the other hand, it is also possible that Saint Vitus was popular simply because his name was similar to Svantevit. Also, as told in Saxo, there was the worship of Rugevit, so we would have to assume that the worship of Saint Vitus had “split” into two – possible, of course, but that represent an additional curveball that needs explaining. The etymology of Svatevit is a separate topic which we will take up at a later time.
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