Wednesday 5 August 2015

Myth And History

Myth:

"'They proceeded to Jormunrek's headquarters and the attack. They were two alone, but invulnerable to steel, so they slew men right and left, reached the king, and wounded him severely. Before they could finish the job, though, Hamther let slip that stones could hurt them. Or, according to the saga, Odin suddenly appeared, in the guise of an old man with one eye, and betrayed this information. Jormunrek called to his remaining warriors to stone the brothers, and that is how they died. There the tale ends.'" (Time Patrol, p. 359)

Poul Anderson's historical fiction:

The Teurings proceed to Ermanaric's hall and the attack. Hathawulf and Solbern are not alone and have enough men to fight the king's. They are vulnerable to steel but kill many, reach the king and wound him severely. They are as vulnerable to stones as anyone else. When counterattacking, Ermanaric's men, if unarmed, tear up and throw cobblestones.

Anderson's science fiction:

Carl Farness, his body covered by hat and cloak, suddenly appears on a timecycle, tells the brothers to meet their doom and advises Ermanaric how to counterattack. Ermanaric wins a Pyrrhic victory and is soon overwhelmed by the Huns.

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