| Keywords |
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| ID |
4923 |
| Text |
Cosmographia Aethici Istri (700 - 730) Anonymous - Other |
| Quotation |
Gentes et insolas septentrionales hic philosophus adgreditur. Griphas gentes proximam oceani partem, unde ait vetusta fama processisse Saxonum subolem et ad Germaniam proeliorum feritate peraccessisse, gentes stultissimas, velut ferarum et strutionum vel curcodrillium et scurpionum genera sunt. Inter alias gentes ad aquilonem iuxta Iperboriis montibus, ubi Tanais amnes exoritur, nimio frigore undique circumvallata inter oceanum et Tanaim gens inquieta, praedones aliarum gentium; si captivorum caterva in eorum manibus incucurrerit, aut numquam aut vix revertere quis valet. De ea generatione nullus fidelis aliquando quis narret fuisse. Ea regio nulla fruge utile gignit, bestiarum multitudinem et pecorum, equorum multitudinem eminentiores et utiliores, quam in alias gentes, simios et pantheras. Gignit plurimum cristallum et sucinum lucidissimum et obdurantem velut lapides et pulcherrimum. Gignaros gentiles artifices diverses in tubarum strepitu et bestiarum captura. Habet et aurum Optimum in aliquibus locis, fabricam industriorum hominum in arma bellica luricarum galearumque et ocreas et dives valde est ferro. Habet aves Hircanias et fibras, quarum pinnae nocte mirae magnitudinis lucent. Inhabitant enim oceanum borreum, quorum finitima barbarica inaudita et abdita, in qua Turchi inhabitant. |
| Translation |
§ 31, p. 31: This philosopher then goes on to the northern peoples and islands. The Gryphon-Folk {dwell} by the closest part of Ocean, from where, according to ancient report, the Saxon race went out, and by the ferocity of {their} battles arrived in Germany. These peoples who are like species of wild beasts – ostriches, crocodiles, and scorpions – are the most stupid of all the races at the North near the Hyperborean Mountains, where the Don River has its source; they are enveloped on all sies by the terrible cold between Ocean and the Don. A restless race, they prey on other peoples; if a band of captives should fall into their hands, never, or hardly ever, is anyone able to escape. As for their origin, {there was} no trustworthy {person} at any time who might recount {what} it was. That region produces no useful crop, {but} there are lots of animals and cattle, and numerous horses {which are} taller and more useful than {those} among other peoples; {there are} also monkeys and panthers. It also produces a good quantity of crystal and amber {that is} very brilliant and beautiful and hard as stone. {Among} the heathens {there are} various craftsmen knowledgeable in playing trumpets and snaring animals. In some places {the region} also has gold of the best quality. Industrious men manufacture arms for war – breastplates, helmets and greaves – for the region is exceedingly rich in iron. There are also Hircanian birds and fibrae, whose feathers of remarkable size glow in the night. They inhabit the northern Ocean, whose regions are barbarous unknown, and hard to find – {the regions} where the Turks dwell. |
| Summary |
First chapter of the description of the peoples and islands of the North. A territory inhabited by the Hyperboreans. Homeland of the Saxons before their migration to Germany. List of bestial features as well as some positive traits and goods coming from this area (horses, amber, gold, iron). |
| Quotation source |
Cap. 3 (p. 118, lin. 9 - p. 119, lin. 14) |
| Temporal Coverage |
600 - 730 |
| Associated use case(s) |
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| Comment |
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