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.

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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Helmold of Bosau (i.e., presbyter Bozoviensis) was a 12th century parish priest at, yes you guessed it, Bosau.  Bosau was in the Slavic country of Wagria and is in today’s Schleswig-Holstein (yes, that is how far (and further) did the Slavs reach).  It was while residing there, starting probably in 1164, that Helmold wrote his Chronicle of the Slavs (Chronica Slavorum) which was a continuation Adam of Bremen’s work (in effect since it included significant chunks of the latter’s Deeds of the Bishops of Hamburg) and detailed the events of the area through the year 1171.  It was later continued by Arnold of Luebeck through the year 1209.  A copy of Arnold’s chronicle resides now at, among other places, Trier.

In any event, Helmold’s Chronicle contains several interesting passages about Slavs’ reIigion.  We begin with a description of Helmold’s travel through Wagria – a region where Helmold’s own church at Bosau was located.  We note that already a few miles north of Bosau he mentions the town of Plön with its seat of the Slavic God Podaga (and later the seat of a German V1 factory).  In the below passages he also discusses the Sacred Grove of Prove (as the God of the Aldenburg country in Wagria) and mentions Ziva (as the God of the Polabians (terra Pelaborum)) and Cernobog (who, perhaps, was all the Slavs’ “bad” god).  The Wagrii were members of the Obotrite confederation (though perhaps not always).  The Polabians may also have fallen in with that group.

We note, however, that in a number of instances Helmold also brings ups Radegast of the Redarii whom we already know from Adam but Helmold calls Radegast the God of the Obotrites.  The Redarii who we think of as members of the Liutizi may have shared their God with the Obotrites apparently – or perhaps they changed confederations by the time of Helmold.  Further, since the Radegast passages appear to some extent to be copies of Adam of Bremen’s work, Helmold follows Adam with that name of the God – from the much earlier Thietmar we know the God’s name was, more likely, Svarozic.

In any event, the spellings cited above we retain in the English sections for consistency – the Latin version contains the original spellings which differ from time to time and we record them as they were in the text.

The only sections of Slavic religion that appear in Helmold and that we do not include here are the passages about the Ranii and their Rugian Svantovit – we will return to those later.

BTW We dedicate this to those Germans who are not really (just) Germans – so that they may know something about their ancestors (interestingly, someone recently thought it relevant to note that, on the male side only 20% of Germans have the “Slavic” R1a DNA – one might say, however, that, considering that even in Ukraine and Poland R1a is only about 50% of the male population, this could mean that as many as 40% of male Germans are direct lineal descendants of Slavs – the number is likely somewhere in between these two – of course, that does not include indirect Slavic descendants or those who can trace their ancestry to Slavs through the female line, etc).

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 2 

(De Civitate Iumneta – Of the City of Iumneta [Wolin])

English:

“Beyond the calmly flowing Oder, and beyond various Pomeranian peoples, on the Western side we come to the country of the Winili, those namely that are called Dolenzii or Redarii.  Their city is named Rethra, a hive of idolatry.  There a great temple was built to honor idols, among whom the greatest is Radegast.  His statue has ornaments of gold and his bed is bedecked with scarlet. The town itself has nine gates and is surrounded by a deep lake.  A wooden bridge is used to traverse it but which is only made available to those who bring offerings or those seeking answers/oracular advice.”

Latin:

“Post Odere igitur lenem meatum et varios Pomeranorum populos ad occidentalem plagam occurrit Winulorum provincia, eorum qui Tholenzi sive Redarii dicuntur.  Civitas eorum vulgatissima Rethre, sedes ydolatrie.  Templum ibi magnum constructum demonibus, quorum princeps est Redegast. Simulacrum eius auro, lectus eius ostro paratus.  Civitas ipsa novem habet portas undique lacu profundo inclusas.  Pons ligneus transitum prebet, per quem tantum sacrificantibus aut responsa petentibus via conceditur.“

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 21

(Pugna Tholenzorum – War of the Dolenzii)

English:

“Redarii or Dolenzii desired to rule other Slavic tribes on account of their ancient city and their famous temple, in which one can see the Radegast statue, ascribing to themselves the honor or leadership for other Slavic peoples often come to them to receive judgments [of the God] and to bring annual offerings.”

Latin:

“Siquidem sive Riaduri Tholenzi propter antiquissimam urbem et celeberrimum illud fanum, in quo simulachrum Radigast ostenditur, regnare volebant, ascribentes sibi singularem nobilitatis honorem, eo quod ab omnibus populis Slavorum frequentarentur propter responsa et annuas sacrificiorum impensiones.“

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 47

(De Penitenthia Northalbingorum – Of the Penitence of Northalbingians)

[Vicelin, a priest accompanying Bishop Adalbert on his trip to Hamburg arrives with the bishop in Meldorf; there finding that the Northalbingians [Nordalbingians] appear to be Christian in name only, the bishop sends Vicelin to fix things up]

English:

“There are three nations of the Northalbingians: Sturmarii (Sturmars), Holzatii (Dreviane) and Thetmarzii – and they do not differ from one another in their customs or their speech, and they follow Saxon laws and call themselves Christians, but by reason of their neighboring pagans/barbarians they began to thieve and rob…  When he [Vicelin] arrived at his destination, he saw the town and found the fields to be overgrown with useless bushes/weeds, and too the inhabitants to be wild and unenlightened, not knowing naught of religion aside from this that they were called Christians.  For there was among them the veneration of groves and streams and many other superstitions… In his pious carefulness he began to visit the local churches, teaching the people the knowledge of salvation, setting aright those who were lost, bringing together those who quarreled, and also destroying groves and other godless rites.”

Latin:

“Tres autem sunt Nordalbingorum populi, Sturmarii, Holzati, Thetmarzi, nec habitu nec lingua multum discrepantes, tenentes Saxonum iura et cristianum nomen, nisi quod propter barbarorum viciniam furtis et latrociniis operam dare consueverint… Cumque pervenissent ad locum destinatum, perspexit habitudinem loci campumque vasta et sterili mirica perorridum, preterea accolarum genus agreste et incultim, nichil de religione nisi nomen tantum Christianitabis habentes.  Nam lucorum et fontium ceterarumque supersticionum multiplex error apud eos habetur… Cepitque pia sollicitudine circumiacentes visitare ecclesias, prebens populis monita salutis, errantes corrigens, concilians dissidentes, preterea lucos et omnes ritus sacrilegos destruens.”

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 52

(De Ritu Sclavorum – On Slavic customs)

English:

[In the year 1131] “When the Obotrite King Canute died who was called Lavardus, his place was taken by Pribislav and Niklot, who divided the country into two parts: one ruled the country of the Wagrii and the Polabians and the other of the Obotrites.  They were two terrible monsters and great persecutors of the Christians.  And there was in these days in all of Slavia a worship of idols and errors of various superstitions.  For other than sacred groves and home Gods [uboze, the later skshaty], the first and foremost worship was accorded to: Prove, the God of the Aldenburg country, Ziva the goddess of the Polabians and Radegast, the God of the land of the Obotrites.   Priests were consecrated to serve them, various offerings were brought to them and  all kinds of religious veneration was done onto them.  The priest according to the auguries determined when the ceremonies to honor these Gods should take place and on then came people with wives an children and made offerings to the Gods with cattle and sheep and many too with people who were Christians, for their blood, as they explained, was particularly pleasing to the Gods.   After killing the cattle, the priest tasted its blood so as to become better able to receive God’s judgment/decision/augury – for many of them believe that devilish spirits are more easily called forth when one uses blood.  After the offering/sacrifice the people begin to feast and party.  There is among the Slavs a strange superstition: during the feasts and drinking/debauchery, they carry a sacrificial skull and pour into it, in the name of the Gods, that is the good and the bad, words not to say of blessings but of curses – they believe namely that if fortune from the good God comes thus also does misfortune comes from the bad and, therefore, they name the bad one Diabol or Cernobog, that is black god.”

Latin:

“Invaluitque in diebus illis per universam Slaviam multiplex ydolorum cultura errorque supersticionum.  Nam preter lucos et penates, quibus agri et opida redundabant, primiet precipui erant Prove deus Aldenburgensis terrae, Siwa dea Pelaborum, Radigast deus terrae Obotritorum.  His dicati erant flamines et sacrificiorum libamenta multiplexque religionis cultus.  Porro sollemptnitates diis dicandas sacerdos iuxta sortium nutum denuntiat, conveniuntque viri et mulieres cum parvulis mactantque diis suis hostias de bobus et ovibus, plerique etiam de hominibus Christianis, quorum sanguine deos suos oblectari iactitant.  Post cesam hostiam sacerdos de cruore libat, ut sit efficacior oraculis capescendis.  Nam demonia sanguine facilius invitari multorum opinio est. Consummatis iuxta morem sacrificii populus ad epulas et plausus convertitur.  Est autem Slavorum mirabilis error; nam in conviviis et compotacionibus suis pateram circumferunt, in quam conferunt, non dicam consecracionis, sed execracionis verba sub nomine deorum, boni scilicet atque mali, omnem prosperam fortunam a bono deo, adversam a malo dirigi profitentes.  Unde etiam malum deum lingua sua Diabol sive Zcerneboch, id est nigrum deum, appellant.  

English:

“Further, do the Slavs have an inborn cruelty which cannot be sated.  They are impatient at peace and for that reason do they cause a constant turmoil in nearby countries on land and sea.  And Christians do they execute in a multitude of ways that it is even difficult to report on this.  For some of them they would rip out their innards and twist around a pole, others they crucified, mocking the symbol of our salvation.  For the greatest criminals they condemn to a death on the cross while those that they take prisoner for ransom they torment with such tortures and bind so tightly that who does not know of this, would scarcely believe it/give faith to this.”

Latin:

“Fuit preterea Sclavorum genti crudelitas ingenita, saturari nescia, impatiens ocii, vexans regionum adiacentia terra marique.  Quanta enim mortium genera cristicolis intulerint, relatu difficile est, cum his quidem viscera extorserint, palo circumducentes, hos cruci affixerint, irridentes signum redemptionis nostre.  Sceleratissimos enim cruci subfigendos autumant; eos autem quos custodie mancipant pecunia redimendos, tantis torturis et cinculorum nodis plectunt, ut ignoranti vix opinabile sit.”

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 69

(De Hartwico Archiepiscopo – Of Archbishop Hartvig)

English:

“From there [the new town Luebeck!] he [Bishop Hartvig] went to Aldenburg [Stargard], where there was once the seat of the bishopric and he was received by the people ofof this country who worshipped Prove as a God.  The name of the priest who was the head of these superstitions was Mike, and the duke of the country was Rochel who was from the line of Cruto [or Cruco…], an idolater and a great pirate.  So the God’s bishop began to show the pagans the path to salvation, that is Christ, telling them to abandon their idols and hurried to the bath of rebirth.” [presumably, he meant baptism but with these priests who knows…]”

Latin:

“Inde progrendies visitavit Aldenburg, ubi sedes quondam episcopalis fuerat, et receptus et a barbaris habitatoribus terrae illius, quorum deus erat Prove.  Porro nomen flaminis, qui preerat supersticioni eorum, erat Mike.  Sed et princeps terrae vocabatur Rochel, qui fuerat de semine Crutonis, ydolatra et pirata maximus.  Cepit igitur pontifex Dei proponere barbaris viam veritatis, quae Christus est, adhortans eos, ut relictis ydolis suis festinarent ad lavacrum regeneracionis.”

 Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 71

(De Nicloto – Of Niklot)

English:

“In those days, when the duke was absent, there arrived at Lunenburg Niklot, duke of the Obotrites and met the duchess Clementia and complained to her and to the duke’s friends that Kicini and Circipani were beginning to slowly rise against him and refuse to pay even the most basic tribute.  Therefore, count Adolf was selected to ride with Holzati and Sturmari [other Slavic tribes] to help Niklot and to halt the arrogance of the rebels.  So the count went out there with over two thousand elite warriors.  Niklot also brought forth the armies of the Obotrites and together they went to the country of the Kicini and the Circipanni and plundered all of the enemy’s lands, destroying everything with fire and sword.  There was famous temple there too and it together with all the Gods and all that belonged to the veneration of idols, they destroyed.  The locals seeing that they did not have the strength to resist this, bought themselves out/bought their freedom with a great amount of money, and the unpaid tribute they made up in full and then some.”

Latin:

“In diebus autem, quibus dux aberat, venit Niclotus, princeps terre Obotritorum, ad domnam Clementiam ductricem Lunenburg, et conquestus est in facie eius et amicorum ducis, quia Kicini et Circipani paulatim rebellare ceperint et obniti tributis iuxta morem persolvendis.  Et destinatus est comes Adolfus et populus Holzatorum et Sturmariorum, ut adiuvarent Niclotum et coercerent rebellionem contumacium.  Abiitque comes cum duobus milibus et amplius electorum.  Niclotus quoque contraxit exercitum de Obotritis, et abierunt pariter in terram Kicinorum et Circipanorum, et pervagati sunt terram hostilem, omnia vastantes igne et gladio.  Fanum quoque celeberrimum cum ydolis et omni superstitione demoliti sunt.  Videntes autem indigene, quia non essent eis vires resistendi, redemerunt se immensa pecunia, defectumque vectigalium integraverunt cum cumulo.“

Chronica Slavorum Book I Chapter 83/84

(Conversio Pribizlai – Conversion of Pribislav)

English:

“At this duke’s [Pribislav/Przybyslaw of Aldenburg of (?) the Wagrii tribe] house we [Helmold is traveling with a Bishop and other company] stayed that night and also the next day and night and thereafter we set out deeper into Sclavonia to visit a noble by the name Thessemar, who had invited us.  It happened then that on our way there we came to a wood which was the only one in this country; the country otherwise being a great plain.  There we saw among very old trees holy oaks dedicated to the God of this land Prove, surrounded by a courtyard that was ring fenced by a wooden fence which had two gates.  For in addition to house Gods [most likely Helmold is referring to the house spirits such as uboze] and idols, which all the towns had, this was the holiest place in the country and it had an archpriest, holidays and many different sacrificial rites.  There on the second day of each week the people of that country together with the priest and the duke assembled for judgments.  Entrance into the courtyard was forbidden to all except for the priest and those who brought sacrifices or those that were in danger of death [presumably meaning the gravelly ill], those they never forbade from entering.”

Latin:

“Manentes autem apud regulum nocte illa cum die ac nocte subsequenti transivismus in ulteriorem Slaviam, hospitaturi apud potentem quendam, cui nomen Thessemar; is enim nos accersierat.  Accidit autem, ut in transitu veniremus in nemus, quod unicum est in terra illa, tota enim in planiciem sternitur.  Illic inter vetustissimas arbores vidimus sacras quercus, quae dicatae fuerant deo terrae illius Proven, quas ambiebat atrium et sepes accuratior lignis constructa, continens duas portas.  Preter penates enim et ydola, quibus singula oppida redundabant, locus ille sanctimonium fuit universae terrae, cui flamen feriaciones et sacrificiorum varii ritus deputati fuerant.  Illic omni secunda feria populus terrae cum regulo et flamine convenire solebant propter iudicia.  Ingressus atrii omnibus inhibitus nisi sacerdoti tantum et sacrificare volentibus, vel quos mortis urgebat periculum, his enim minime negabatur asilum.”

English:

“The Slavs have such great veneration for their holly relics that the temple surroundings may not be tarnished by blood, even at times of war.  Oaths they only reluctantly permit, for the making of an oath for the Slavs is the same as in effect deceiving.  The Slavs worship their Gods in different ways, for not all agree to the same pagan rites.  Some place idols in temples of fantastic shapes as, for example, the Ploen idol that is called Podaga; other Gods live in woods and groves as, for example, Prove the Aldenburg God and of such Gods there is also many an effigy.  Many they carve with two, three or more heads.”

Latin:

“Tantam enim sacris suis Slavi exhibent reverentiam, ut ambitum fani nec in hostibus sanguine pollui sinant.  Uraciones difficillime admittunt, name iurare apud Slavos quasi periurare est ob vindicem deorum iram.  Est autem Slavis multiplex ydolatriae modus, non enim omnes in eandem supersticionis consuetudinem consentiut.  Hii enim simulachrorum ymaginarias formas pretendunt de templis, veluti Plunense ydolum, cui nomen Podaga, alii silvas vel lucos imhabitant, ut est Prove deus Aldenburg, quibus nullae sunt effigies expressae.  Multos etiam duobus vel tribus vel eo amplius capitibus exsculpunt.”

English:

“However, among all the differently shaped Gods to whom they offer their fields, forests, sadness and their happiness, they believe too that there is one God, who in the heavens rules other Gods, that He exceeds the Others with his might, that he troubles Himself only with heavenly matters, that the Others fulfill only the tasks appointed by Him, that they come from His blood and that each is the greater the close He is to that God of Gods.”

Latin:

“Inter multiformia vero deorum numina, quibus arva, silvas, tristicias atque voluptates attribunt, non diffitentur unum deum in celis ceteris imperitantem, ilum prepotentem celestia tantum curare, hos vero distributis officiis obsequentes de sanguine eius processisse et unumqueque eo prestantiorem, quo proximioren illi deo deorum.”

English:

“When we arrived at this grove and place of godlessness, the Bishop convinced us that we bravely should destroy this grove.  Therefore, jumping off the horse, I cracked open with a rod the embroidery/trinkets/insignia on the front gates and when we entered the courtyard we destroyed the entire fence around these holy trees and from this pile of wood we made a pyre, set it on fire, though fearful that we should be assaulted by the locals, though god watched over us.  Thereafter, we set out on our way to the house of Thessemar who received us with great splendor.”

Latin:

“Venientibus autem nobis ad nemus illud et profanacionis locum adhortatus est nos episcopus, ut valenter accederemus ad destruendum lucum.  Ipse quoque desiliens equo contrivit de conto insignes portarum frontes, et ingressi atrium omnia septa atrii congessimus circum sacras illas arbores et destrue lignorum iniecto igne fecimus pyram, non tamen sine metu, ne forte tumultu incolarum [lapidibus] obrueremur. Post hec divertimus ad hospitium, ubi Thessemar suscepit nos cum grandi apparatu.]”

English:

“Yet the cups of the Slavs were neither sweet nor pleasant to us for we saw chains and all kinds of tortures meted out to Christians brought from Dennmark.  We saw there God’s priests [i.e., Christian priests] who were so famished on account of their imprisonment and whom the bishop neither with force nor pleading could help.”

Latin:

“Nec tamen dulcia vel iocunda nobis fuerant Sclavorum pocula, eo quod videremus compedes et diversa tormentorum genera, que inferebantur christicolis de Dania asvectis.  Aspeximus illic sacerdotes Domini captivitatis diutina detentione maceratos, quibus episcopus nec vi nce prece subvenire poterat.”

English:

“Next Sunday all the people in the country gathered together for a market day at Luebeck and the bishop arriving there taught the people to throw away the idols and to honor the only God who is in the Heavens and accepting the grace of the holy baptism to give up bad acts that is the robbery and murder of Christians.  When he concluded his speech to the people, Pribislav [came forth and], speaking for all of them said as follows: ‘Your words honorable bishop are God’s words and they lead to us our salvation.  But how can we enter upon this path when we are surrounded by so much evil?  If you truly wish to understand our sad plight, listen patiently to my words: for the people who you see here are your people and it is only right that we should tell you of our terrible plight and then it will be incumbent upon you to suffer with us.  For our dukes are so strict with us/mistreat us so, that on account of exploitation by taxes/tribute and servitude, we prefer death to this life.  For even in this year we the denizens of this small piece of land have paid the duke 1000 marks and then to the count [of Holstein] we paid the same and even that is not enough  for every day they persecute us and exploit us until our complete ruination.  How can we then adopt this new religion so as to build churches and accept baptism when everyday we dream of escaping?  But if only we could flee!  Should we cross the Trave [Travna] – there the same tragedies [befall people], should we walk towards the river Peene [Pena/Piana], there the same thing [happens].  What is then left to us, but to leave our lands and to move towards the sea and to live in fishermen’s huts?  Or will it be our fault, when expelled from our fatherland, we should disturb matters on the sea and take from the Danes or merchants sailing on the sea that which is necessary to keep us alive?  Will this not be the fault of the dukes who force us to do this?’  And the bishop answered so: ‘That our dukes till now have poorly treated your people, therein lies nothing strange.  For they do not believe it to be a great sin to deal so with idolaters and people who do not honor God, so why don’t you escape to Christianity and surrender to your Maker, to whom [even] the great ones who carry the [matters of the] world do bend their necks.  Do not the Saxons and other peoples who are called Christian live their lives in peace happy with their lawful taxes? You alone, different from others in faith, from others too suffer robbery.’  And Pribislav answered so ‘if the duke and  you so desire that we should along with the count the same religion possess, then give us the rights that the Saxons enjoy as to our lands and taxes, and then will we eagerly become Christians, build churches and pay the due Peter’s Pence.'”

Latin:

“Proxima die dominica convenit universus populus terre ad forum Lubicense, et veniens ldomnus episcopus habuit verbum exhortationis ad plebem, ut relictis ydolis, colerent unum Deum, qui est in celis, et percepta baptismatis gratia, renunciarent operibus malignis, predis scilicet et interfectionibus christianorum.  Cumque perorasset ad plebem, innuentibus ceteris, ait Pribizlavus: ‘Verba tua, o verabilis pontifex, verba Dei sunt et saluti nostre congrua.  Sed qualiter ingrediemur hanc viam, tantis malis irretiti?  Ut enim intelligere possis afflictionem nostram, accipe patienter verba mea; populus enim quem aspicis, populus tuus est, et iustum est nos tibi pandere necessitatem nostram.  Porro tui iurus erit compati nobis.  Principes enim nostri tanta severitate grassantur in nos, ut propter vectigalia et servitutem durissimam melior sit nobis mors quam vita.  Ecce hoc anno nos, habitatores brevisiimi anguli huius, has mille marcas duci pesolvimus, porro comiti tot centenaria, et necdum evicimus, sed cotidie emungimur et premimur usque ad exinamnitionem.  Quomodo ergo vacabimus huic religioni novi, ut edificemus ecclesias, et percipiamus baptisma, quibus cotidiana indicitur fuga?  Si tamen locus esset quo diffugere possemus.  Transeuntibus enim Travenam, ecce similis calamitas illic est, venientibus ad Penem fluvium, nichilominus adest. Quid igitur restat, quam ut omissis terris feramur in mare, et habitemus cum gurgitibus?  Aut que culpa nostra, si pulsi patria, turbaverimus mare, et accepermius viaticum a Danis sive institoribus, qui mare remigant?  Nonne principum erit hec noxa, qui nos propellunt?’  Ad hec domnus episcopus ait: ‘Quod principes nostri hactenus abusi sunt gente vestra, non est mirandum, non enim multum se delinquere arbitantur in ydololatris et in hiis qui sunt sine Deo.  Quin potius recurrite ad ritum christianitatis, et subicite vos Creatori vestro, sub quo curvantur qui portant orbem.  Nonne Saxones et cetere gentes que christianum nomen habent, degunt cum tranquillitate, contenti legitimis suis? Vos vero soli, sicut ab omnium discrepatis cultura, sic omnium patetis direptioni.  Et ait Pribizlavus: ‘Si domno duci et tibi placet, ut nobis cum comite eadem sit culture ratio, dentur nobis iura Saxonum in prediis et reditibus, et libenter erimus christiani, edificabimus ecclesias, et dabimus decimas nostras.‘”

English:

“As soon as he [priest Bruno] arrived at Aldenburg, he began God’s work with great fervor and he called the Slavic people to the grace of rebirth, throwing down the groves and wiping out unholy rituals… The Slavs were also forbidden to give oaths under trees, streams or stones and to bring those who were accused of crimes to the priest to examine him [his guilt] using iron or a plowshare.”

[refers to trial by fire – European laws recognized truth seeking trials by fire, water and, of course, by having the two parties just whack each other – this is in response to the Slavs having crucified a certain Dane accused of something, which the priest was witness to]

Latin:

“Statim enim, ut venit Aldenburg, aggressus est opus Dei cum magno fervore et vocavit gentem Slavorum ad regenerationis gratiam, succidens lucos et destruens ritus sacrilegos…  Et inhibiti sunt Slavi de ceto iurare in arboribus, fontibus, et lapidibus, sed offerebant criminibus pulsatos sacerdoti, ferro vel vomeribus examinandos.”

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The second great chronicler of Polabian Slavs is Adam of Bremen.  He was born circa 1050 and died on October 12, sometime in or after 1081 (by 1085).  That is he was born some thirty plus years after the death of Thietmar of Merseburg.  We note that Adam does not appear to be as accurate as Thietmar but, on volume and on the breadth of his observations regarding the Baltic area, he is the undisputed champion.

Adam’s “History of the Archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen” or, if you will, “Deeds of Bishops of the Hamburg Church” (Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum) contains all kinds of interesting Slavic stuff (and not just Slavic as, for example, the book also describes the Thor/Wotan/Freir temple at Uppsala – following Book 3 at Descriptio Insularum Aquilonis, chapter 26).  His writings were later used by Helmold of Bossau, a 12th century priest, who wrote the Slavic Chronicle (Chronicon Slavorum) and, in fact, some of Helmold’s passages are almost carbon copies of Adam.

For starters, in keeping with our topic of Polabian Gods, we will examine only the parts of Adam’s work that deal with the Polabian Gods – specifically, Adam’s description of the Redarii and their Gods – which is slightly different than that of Thietmar.  For starters, the God is not Svarosic but rather Redigast.  The city is not Riedigost but rather Rethra.  And instead of three gates there are nine.

While some of these changes may have occurred through time (e.g., adding new gates), it seems that the others may be a result of a mistake.  It would seem that Redigast (or whatever version you prefer) should rather be the place name of the Redarii.  That Rethra may be the same as Redigast (or whatever version you prefer) being the capital city of the Redarii after all.  Finally, the God may then be Svarosic.

On the other hand, it is also possible that the God Svarosic became, over time, also known by the name of his temple’s location – Redigast and that the town Redigast also acquired the name of the people living there, i.e., Redarii, i.e., Rethra.

Book II (par 18  in some versions)

English:

“Among them [Polabian Slavs] the Retharii, centrally located, are the mightiest of all.  Their city, very widely known as Rethra, is a seat of idolatry.  There a great temple was erected to demons, the chief of whom is Redigast.  His image is of gold, his bower bedecked with purple.  The city itself has nine gates and is surrounded on all sides by a deep lake.  A wooden bridge, over which approach is allowed only to those who would make sacrifices or seek oracular advice, affords a means of crossing.   For this there is, I believe, a meaningful explanation: fitly “the Styx imprisons with its ninefold circles” the lost souls of those who serve idols.  This temple they say is a four day journey from the city of Hamburg.”

[from a version by Francis J. Tschan translated in 1959, as edited in 2002 by Timothy Reuter]

full version here: http://hbar.phys.msu.su/gorm/chrons/bremen.htm

The pictures are from the GKS 2296 4° manuscript (put together c 1200 – c 1225) which is now at Det Kongelige Bibliotek and which you can look at the following address:

http://www.kb.dk/permalink/2006/manus/378/dan

(It does not have the Thor/Upssala section in case you are wondering – we were going to throw that in as a freebie)

Latin:

Ibi est terminus Hammaburgensis parrochiae. Sunt et alii Sclavaniae populi, qui inter Albiam et Oddaram degunt, sicut Heveldi, qui iuxta Habolam fluvium sunt et Doxani, Leubuzzi, Wilini et Stoderani cum multis aliis. Inter quos medii et potentissimi omnium sunt Retharii, civitas eorum vulgatissima Rethre, sedes ydolatriae. Templum ibi magnum constructum est demonibus, quorum princeps est Redigast. Simulacrum eius auro, lectus ostro paratus. Civitas ipsa novem portas habet, undique lacu profundo inclusa, pons ligneus transitum praebet, per quem tantum sacrificantibus aut responsa petentibus via conceditur. Credo, ea significante causa, quod perditas animas eorum, qui ydolis serviunt, congrue ‘novies Styx interfusa cohercet’.  Ad quod templum ferunt a civitate Hammaburg iter esse quatuor dierum.

Book III (par 50  in some versions)

English:

“The aged bishop John was taken with other Christians in the city of Mecklenburg and held for a triumph.  And because he confessed Christ he was beaten with cudgels and then was led in mockery through one city of the Slavs after another.  Since he could not be turned from the profession of Christ, his hands and feet were lopped off and his body was thrown upon the road.  Cutting off his head, the barbarians died it on a spear and offered it to their God Redigast in token of their victory.  These things were done in the chief city of the Slavs, Rethra, on the fourth day before the Ides of November.  The daughter of he king of the Danes was found with her women at Mecklenburg, the city of the Abodrites, and was sent away naked.  For, as we said before, she was the wife of Prince Gottschalk, who also had a son, Henry, by her.  Of another woman was born Butue: the two were begot to the great destruction of the Slavs.  When, indeed, the Slavs had achieved victory, they ravaged the whole of the region of Hamburg with fire and sword.  Nearly all the Sturmarians were either killed or led into captivity.  The stronghold of Hamburg was razed ot the ground, and even crosses were mutilated by the pagans in derision of our Saviour.  There was fulfilled for us the prophecy which runs, ‘O God, the heathen are come into thy inheritance; they have defiled thy holy temple,’ and the other sayings which prophetically bewail the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.  The perpetrator of this desolation is said to have been Blusso, who was married to Gottschalk’s sister and who, on returning home, was himself murdered.  And so all the Slavs, sworn to a general conspiracy, lapsed again into paganism, after they had killed those who persisted in the faith.  In vain did or Duke Ordulf fight the Slavs time and again during the twelve years that he survived his father.  Never could he obtain a victory, and because he was so often beaten by the pagans even his own men derided him.  The expulsion of the archbishop and the death of Gottschalk took place almost within a year, that is, the prelate’s twenty-second.  And, unless I am mistaken, a fearful comet which appeared that year about Easter time was a foretoken of the misfortunes about to me upon us.”

Latin:

Iohannes episcopus senex cum ceteris christianis in Magnopoli civitate captus servabatur ad triumphum. Ille igitur pro confessione Christi fustibus caesus, deinde per singulas civitates Sclavorum ductus ad ludibrium, cum a Christi nomine flecti non posset, truncatis manibus ac pedibus, in platea corpus eius proiectum est, caput vero eius desectum, quod pagani conto praefigentes in titulum victoriae, deo suo Redigast immolarunt. Haec in metropoli Sclavorum Rethre gesta sunt 4. Idus Novembris. Filia regis Danorum apud Michilenburg, civitatem Obodritorum, inventa cum mulieribus, diu caesa nuda dimissa est. Hanc enim, ut praediximus, Gotescalcus princeps habuit uxorem, a qua et filium suscepit Heinricum. Ex alia vero Butue natus fuit, magno uterque Sclavis excidio genitus. Et illi quidem victoria potiti totam Hammaburg provintiam ferro et igne demoliti sunt, Sturmarii fere omnes aut occisi aut in captivitatem ducti, castrum Hammaburg funditus excisum, et in derisionem salvatoris nostri etiam cruces a paganis truncatae sunt. Impleta est nobiscum prophetia, quae ait: ‘Deus, venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum’ et reliqua; quae prophetice deplorantur in Ierosolimitanae urbis excidio. Huius auctor cladis Blusso fuisse dicitur, qui sororem habuit Godescalci, domumque reversus et ipse obtruncatus est.  Itaque omnes Sclavi, facta conspiratione generali, ad paganismum denuo relapsi sunt, eis occisis qui perstiterunt in fide. Dux noster Ordulfus in vanum saepe contra Sclavos dimicans, per duodecim annos, quibus patri supervixit, numquam potuit victoriam habere, totiensque victus a paganis, a suis etiam derisus est. Igitur expulsio archiepiscopi et mors Gotescalci uno fere anno contigit, qui est pontificis 22. Et nisi fallor, haec mala nobis ventura signavit ille horribilis cometa, qui ipso apparuit anno circa dies paschae.

For some other references to Slavic pagan rebellions see here.

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We have not until now explored the Gods of the Polabian Slavs,* that is, broadly speaking, of (A) the Obotrites, (B) the Liutizi or Walitaba (aka Wilzen in German) and (C) of the Lusatian Sorbs.  It is time to do that now, starting with the report of Thietmar of Merseburg‘s on the Redarii Gods.  We have already ran into Thietmar’s Chronicle when discussing the Baptism of Poland about which you can read here.  (We note too that Thietmar’s Chronicle contains other pieces relevant to the religion of the early Slavs.  We will return to those later).  Now let us turn to the Redarii, the Liutizi and the mysterious cult at Riedegost.

The Redarii were a tribe that was part of the Liutizi [aka Walitaba/Veleti] confederation.  The Liutizi had rebelled successfully against the Ottos (Liudolfings) of Germany along with Obotrites during the Great Slav Uprising of 983.  They were subsequently under constant attack both by the Germans and by the Poles.  However, after the death of Emperor Otto III in 1002, the new German King (future Emperor) Henry II changed course and allied with the Liutizi against the Poles presumably because at that point they looked to be the stronger threat.

The context of Thietmar’s story is, thus, the war that Henry II was undertaking against, the then duke, Boleslaw I (not yet the Great) of Poland.  That war lasted from 1002 through 1018 (with two armistices in between).  Thietmar, clearly contemptuous of Henry’s allies (and the decision to ally with them against a Christian ruler), describes them and their ways along with their famous temple at Riedegost (aka Radogost).

That templetown (later supposedly called Rethra) was one of the first places recaptured by the Liutizi in 983 and later continued to serve as their apparent spiritual (and perhaps, too, political) capitol.  Although the town has not been found a number of candidates have been presented, the most promising being somewhere around the Tollensee, a lake in Brandenburg – it was there in 1969, on the southern tip of an island called Fischerinsel (yes, fisher island), that, what appear to be wooden likenesses of Slavic Gods, were found.  On the other hand, the Redarii were one of four Liutizi tribes as per Adam of Bremen and there was also the Tholenzi tribe…

Thietmar On Liutizi & Their Religion

 Book 6 (22-25)

English:

“Before our troops were able to reach the Oder, they were joined on the prior day by [Liutizi] [though he seems to write Lausitzi, that is Sorbs or related tribes, he seems to mean Liutizi], who marched behind their idols.  Although I hesitate to say anything about then, I will describe something of them in short, who they are and where they came from, so that, dear reader you should know the terrible superstitions and disgusting pagan cult of this people.”

Latin:

“Post haec Liuzici nostris pridie, quam ad Oderam fluvium venirent, sotiantur, deos suimet precedentes subsequuti.  Quamvis autem de hiis aliquid dicere perhorrescam, tamen, ut scias, lector amate, vanam eorum supersticionem inanioremque populi istius executionem, qui sint vel unde huc venerint, strictim enodabo.”

English:

“There is in the country of the Redarii (pago Riedirierun) a town named Radogost (Riedegost) which has a triangular shape and three gates leading up to it, that is surrounded by a great wood, a forest which the locals have left untouched for it [the wood] is worshipped as a holiness.  Two gates of this town are open for all who enter whereas the third, on the eastern side is the smallest and leads to a path which leads to a nearby and terrible looking lake.”

Latin:

“Est urbs quaedam in pago Riedirierun Riedegost nomine, tricornis ac tres in se continens portas, quam undique silva ab incolis intacta et venerabilis circumdat magna.  Duae eiusdem portae cunctis introeuntibus patent; tercia, quae orientem respicit et minima est, tramitem ad mare iuxta positum et visu nimis horribile monstrat.”

English:

“In the town there is only one temple, intricately built from wood on a foundation made from the horns of wild animals [?].  The outside walls [of this temple] are decorated with effigies of different Gods and Goddeses – which one can see when looking close up [ehhhh…] – sculpted in the strangest way.  Whereas, inside there stand Gods made by human hand, wearing terrible helmets and armour, each with a name carved out at the bottom.  The first among them is called Svarozic (Zuarasici dicitur) and he is especially venerated among all the pagans.  There are also there banners which they never take out [from the temple], unless they are needed for a military campaign, and in that case they are carried by the foot soldiers.”

Latin:

“In eadem est nil nisi fanum de ligno artificiose compositum, quod pro basibus diversarum sustentatur cornibus bestiarum.  Huius parietes variae deorum dearumque imagines mirifice insculptae, ut cernentibus videtur, exterius ornant; interius autem dii stant manu facti, singulis nominibus insculptis, galeis atque loricis terribiliter vestiti, quorum primus Zuarasici dicitur et pre caeteris a cunctis gentilibus honoratur et colitur.  Vexilla quoque eorum, nisi ad expeditionis necessaria, et tunc per pedites, hinc nullatenus moventur.”

English:

“To guard all of this, with appropriate diligence did the locals task a separate [group of] priests.”

Latin:

“Ad haec curiose tuenda ministri sunt specialiter ab indigenis constituti.”

English:

“When they gather here in order to make sacrifices to the idols or to assuage their anger, only the priests are entitled to sit whereas the others stand.  Whispering mysterious words to themselves they dig shivering in the ground so as to, based on the auguries so obtained, probe  the heart of the questions [they have/or matters being studied for a solution].”

Latin:

“Qui cum hic idolis immolare seu iram eorundem placare conveniunt, sedent hii, dumtaxat caeteris asstantibus, et invicem clanculum mussantes terram cum tremore infodiunt, quo sortibus emissis rerum certitudinem dubiarum perquirant.”

English:

“After these magics/readings they cover the auguries with green grass/turf and after sticking into the ground – in the form of a cross – two spear tips/shafts, they walk through them a horse while making penitent gestures – a horse that they consider to be of the most importance and that they revere as something that is holy.  Throwing the auguries which they already used in divination, they take up again the augury through this as if holy animal.  If both of the auguries produce the same sign, then these tribes follow that answer in their deeds, and if not then they stop with sadness whatever undertaking [was subject to the divination/augury].”

Latin:

“Quibus finitis cespite viridi eas operientes, equum, qui maximus inter alios habetur et ut sacer ab his veneratur, super fixas in terram duarum cuspides hastilium inter se transmissarum supplici obsequio ducunt, et premissis sortibus, quibus id exploravere prius, per hunc quasi divinum denuo auguriantur.  Et si in duabus hiis rebus par omen apparet, factis completur; sin autem, a tristibus populis hoc prorsus omittitur.”

English:

“From the olden days, the stories of which were often falsified with all kinds of erroneous tales, we have the testimony that whenever harsh griefs of a civil war rear their heads, so comes out of the above-mentioned lake a mighty boar with foam glistening on white tusks and in front of all eyes he rolls in the puddle among terrible tremors.”

Latin:

“Testatur idem antiquitas errore delusa vario, si quando his seva longae rebellionis assperitas immineat, ut e mari predicto aper magnus et candido dente e spumis lucescente exeat seque in volutabro delectatum terribili quassatione multis ostendat.”

English:

“However many provinces in this country there are, so there are that many temples and that many idols are worshipped by the unbelievers, though amongst them the above-mentioned city is the foremost.  When they head out to war they always greet it and when they  return successfully from such war, they honor it with due gifts and through the auguries and through the horse, as above told, diligently divine, what kind of appropriate offerings the priests should make to the gods.  The silent anger of the gods they temper with offerings of people and cattle.”

Latin:

“Quot regiones sunt in his partibus, tot templa habentur et simulacra demonum singular ab infidelibus coluntur, inter quae civitas supramemorata principalem tenet monarchiam.  Hanc ad bellum properantes salutant, illam prospere redeuntes muneribus debitis honorant, et, quae placabilis hostia diis offerri a ministris debeat, per sortes ac per equum, sicut prefatus sum, diligenter inquiritur.  Hominum ac sanguine pecudum ineffabilis horum furor mitigatur.”

English:

“All of these tribes, together known as Liutizi, do not have one ruler.  All matters of importance they debate at a meeting in the way of common counsel and to effectuate a matter they all must agree.  If one of the locals is opposed to something that was already decided, they hit him with sticks and if he actually acts against such decision outside of the council, they either strip him of his possessions, confiscating them entirely or setting them on fire or he has to pay a sum of money, in accordance with his class/caste.  While being themselves untrustworthy and fickle, they demand steadfastness and absolute loyalty from others.  A peace accord they strengthen by shaking right hands and at the same time by giving out a lock of hair with a few blades of grass.  But they are easily corrupted with money to break such a peace.”

Latin:

“Hiis autem omnibus, qui communiter Liutici vocantur, dominus specialiter non presidet, ullis. Usanimiconsilio ad placitum suimet necessaria discucientes, in rebus efficiendis omnes concordant.  Si quis vero ex comprovincialibus in placitohiis contradicit, fustibus verberatur et, si forinsecus palam resistit, aut omnia incendio et continua depredatione  perdit aut in eorum presentia pro qualitate sua pecuniae persolvit quantitatem debitae.  Infideles ipsi et mutabiles ipsi immutabilitatem ac magnam exigunt ab aliis fidem.  Pacem abraso crime supremo et cum gramine datisque affirmant dextris.  Ad hanc autem perturbandam et facile pecunia corrumpuntur.”

English:

“And in this manner these warriors arrived to help the king, slaves at one time, today, through our wickedness, free.  Stay away reader from any contacts with them and from their religion and listen diligently to and follow the God’s commandments!  If you learn and keep in memory the declaration of faith of the Bishop Athanasius, you will note with absolute certainty that the matters I set forth above have no worth.”

Latin:

“Hii milites, quondam servi nostrisque iniquitatibus tunc liberi, tali comitatu ad regem auxiliandum proficiscuntur.  Eorum cum cultu consorcia, lector, fugias, divinarum mandata scripturarum auscultando adimple: et fidem, quam Athanasius profitebatur epscopus, discens memoriterque retinens, haec, quae supra memoravi, nil esse probabis veraciter.”

Book 8 (64)

English:

“The Lutizi came back angered and complaining that their Goddess had been offended.  For one of the men of Margrave Hermann threw a stone and thereby ripped a hole in her effigy on their banner.  When her priests informed the Emperor of this complaining of the same, they received as payment twelve talents.  And when the Lutizi tried to cross the greatly swollen Moldawa near the burg/fortress at Vurcin, they lost the second effigy of the Goddess together with an elite force of fifty warriors.  Given this bad augury the remaining warriors, under the influence of bad people, wanted upon returning home to quit the Emperor’s service but their leaders convinced them otherwise at council.”

Latin:

“Sed Liutici redeuntes irati dedecus deae suimet ulatum queruntur.  Nam haec in vexhillis formata a quodam Herimanni marchionis socio lapide uno traiecta est; et dum hoc ministri eius imperatori dolenter retulissent, ad emendationem XII talenta perceperunt.  Et cum iuxta Vurcin civitatem Mildam nimis effusam transire voluissent, deam cum egreio L militum comitatu alteram perdidere.  Tam malo omine residui domum venientes a servicio caesaris se malorum instinctu abalienare nituntur; sed habito post communi suimet placito a prioribus suis convertuntur.”

The Manuscript Text

We feel obligated to note one fascinating aspect of the whole Chronicle of Thietmar’s.  Namely, it seems that the original manuscript (autograph, so to speak, called the Dresdner Handschrift based on the place of its residence since 1570) of Thietmar’s Chronicle, written as it was by eight different scribes (with Thietmar supervising and making notes on it), actually survived.  This is most unusual in the literature regarding Slavic past (albeit this is a German book obviously).

In fact, the manuscript survived (mostly) unscathed.*  Until the 20th century that is.  During the firebombing of Dresden in 1945 the chronicle was severely damaged such that little of it remains as it was before the war.  Luckily and presciently, a facsimile of the chronicle was created already in 1905 and published by Ludwig Schmidt – there is that German technology being put to good use!   We are thankful for this to the support given by Kgl. Sächs. Sammlungen für Kunst und Wissenschaft, der König- Johann-Stiftung und der Zentraldirektion der Monumenta Germaniae Historica.  Great job guys! 

* Some pages had been destroyed prior to the sixteenth century.  The solution on filling them has been to use the only other manuscript of the chronicle – the Brussels manuscript (from Corvey most likely) which was not penned by Thietmar’s team so is inferior.  Nevertheless, this is what we have.

Here are the relevant pages of that facsimile:

Remarks

First, it is interesting that the temple described above may have contained samples of writing – whether the names of the Gods were etched in some sort of a rune script, Latin or Byzanthine writing is uncertain.  It too may be that this was a form of Slavic writing, perhaps even in a Slavic alphabet (there always was a hefty discussion as to whether that would have been runes and if so what that may mean).

Second, the only God name mentioned is that of Zuarasici, probably Svarozic, who is, likely, though this is speculation, the same (in its diminutive form) as the Svarog, the God of the Eastern Slavs (there are other such strange similarities between Slavic Far East and Slavic Far West – like the word buki for letters – that apparently skipped over Poland, the Czechs  and other Central European Slavs).  Although Svarog is not mentioned in the PVL, he is mentioned in other Russian sources.

Third, and this is something that Brueckner focuses on too, the name Radegast (Riedegost) is that of a town – not of any God – at least not in this early account – later accounts refer to Radagast at Rethra (though whether that is the same Radagast is an open question).  We note too that Helmold (in Chapter 82 of Slav Chronicle) talks of the town of Reddegeshusen.

* Incidentally, there was no such thing, in any broad sense, as “Polabian” Slavs.  While a Slavic tribe living somewhere around the river Elbe (Laba, hence Po-Labians) was in fact called by that name, the notion that this name should be applied to all the Slavs West of the River Oder was Schaffarik’s.  Because the notion stuck, however, we stick to the notion.

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