Eormenric

Background
Eormenric was known throughout the world as a mighty conqueror. He participated heavily in the Gothic Wars around years 360-370, and an upper estimate of the size of his empire gives him control of an area from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Although almost all accounts of his conquest conflict at least slightly, it is believed he ruled over a significant part of the Germanic Empire. The Getica describes him as a “Gothic Alexander,” and calls his kingdom “Oium,” another name for Scythia. Little in known about the exact details of his conquests in the years 340-360, but during the Gothic Wars his forces pushed toward Roman territory and were repelled by Flavius Valens, marking the first notable military defeat he experienced. This was also the furthest toward Rome northern tribes attempted to gain territory. There are conflicting reports of how long he reigned, but sources agree he lived a long life and ruled a part of Europe for at least 30 years. Relatively contemporary sources say he ruled the Goths until the age of 110, while others say he was either killed by his own people or faced the Huns and was defeated.

Strengths
Eormenric’s cruelty and harshness as king are legendary. In almost every story his actions are to be taken as those of a man without empathy, a strength in times of war. He had prowess in battle and controlled a large portion of Europe for many years. In his translation of the poem Deor, Tolkien described him as “wolfish” and “cruel.”  He was clever and respected as much as feared. To rule to an estimated 40 years while constantly battling shows an impressive tenacity and vigor.

Weaknesses
Stories of Eormenric are replete with his wrath, cruelty, and avarice. In the Thidreks Saga, Eormenric rapes the wife of one of his advisors, resulting in his men convincing him to put his wife to death, after which his brother-in-law cripples him. This is a common theme in works including Eormenric: he brashly puts someone to death and is punished by their family members. This relates well to the themes of revenge and violence in older European literature. In the Getica, he puts a woman to death by means of horses because of her infidelity, after which her brothers leave him crippled. Despite this, he is said to remain king in these stories after being punished for his actions.

Significance to Beowulf
Eormenric’s great feats took place many years before even the first suspected oral version of Beowulf was spoken. Stories of his cruelty and indominable military might were likely already legendary at that point. In Beowulf, his name is mentioned as Beowulf is being bestowed with great treasures for defeating Grendel (see Lines Were Mentioned). The treasures are compared to the treasure the goddess Freyja’s necklace, where Hama need only keep it from Eormenric to keep it forever. Both the reference to Freyja and Eormenric add to the grandeur of Beowulf’s reward.

Lines Mentioned in Beowulf
Translated (Heany, 1197 – 1200):      “There was no hoard like it since Hama snatched the Brosings' neck-chain and bore it away with its gems and settings to his shining fort, away from Eormenric's wiles and hatred, and thereby ensured his eternal reward.”

Original (1197 - 1201):    “Nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde hordmaððum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg to þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene, sigle ond sincfæt; searoniðas fleah Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd.”