Ermanaric

Ermanaric was another historical figure who was later shrouded in legend. As a historical figure, Ermanaric was an Ostrogoth king whose kingdom was located in present day Ukraine. Ermanaric was killed in AD 375 when the Huns invaded and overran his kingdom.

According to the Icelandic legend that can be found in the Volsunga Saga, Ermanaric was known as Jormunrek, the king of the Goths. The Norse legend was almost identical to the historical account, in the account written by Jordanes titled The Origin and Deeds of the Goths (mid-6th century AD).

According to Jordanes, the tribe of the Rosomoni betrayed Ermanaric when the Huns first invaded his kingdom. Ermanaric, in retaliation, captured the Rosomoni chieftain's wife, Sunilda, and had her limbs torn apart by wild horses. Sunilda's brothers, Sarus and Ammius, attempted to assassinate Ermanaric, giving him a serious sword wound to the side. Ermanaric survived, but the Gothic king couldn't prevent Balamber, the king of the Huns, from conquering his kingdom. Ermanaric died at the age of 110.

What is similar to the Volsunga Saga was how Jormunrek (Ermanaric) put to death Swanhild (Sunilda), the daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun, and how Swanhild's brothers tried unsuccessfully to avenge her death. See the Volsunga Saga, Jormunrek and Swanhild.

In German oral tradition and legend, it was a different story about Ermanaric. Ermanaric drove Dietrich out of his kingdom. Ermanaric was made the archenemy of Dietrich, instead of the historical Odoacer. Ermanaric ruled the kingdom for thirty years before Dietrich returned with an army from Attila. Ermanaric was killed in the Battle of Ravenna.

According to the Thiðrekssaga, Ermanaric was called Erminrek, and he was the son of King Samson of Salerni and of Hildisvid, daughter of Earl Rodgeir. Erminrek was the also the brother of Thetmar, which made him the uncle of the hero Thiðrek (Dietrich).