Barbarians in the Sagas of Icelanders: Homegrown Stereotypes and Foreign Influences

This book explores the Sagas of Icelanders and how they portray encounters with foreign peoples, showing how the Icelanders are portrayed as less civilized than the people they encounter. It compares these descriptions to classical Roman texts, showing similarities between Roman and Icelandic ideas about barbarians.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of accounts found in the Sagas of Icelanders, shedding light on encounters between foreign peoples, both abroad and within the captivating land of Iceland. What makes this exploration particularly intriguing is the way in which these encounters are portrayed according to a diverse range of stereotypes, which vary depending on the origins of the individuals involved. It is noteworthy that the inhabitants of the regions identified in the sagas as Írland, Skotland, and Vínland are often depicted as being less civilized than the Icelanders themselves.

To delve deeper into this intriguing phenomenon, the book explores the ways in which the Íslendingasögur emphasize this relative barbarity through vivid descriptions of diet, material culture, warfare techniques, and character traits. These characteristics are examined in the context of parallel descriptions of Icelandic characters and lifestyles within the Íslendingasögur, as well as in the broader framework of a tradition in contemporary European literature that portrayed the Icelanders themselves as barbaric.

In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic, comparisons are drawn between descriptions of barbarians in classical Roman texts, particularly Sallust, Caesar, and Tacitus. These comparisons reveal striking similarities between Roman and Icelandic ideas about barbarians, highlighting the interconnectedness of cultural perspectives across time and geography.

Through its meticulous exploration of these accounts, this book offers a profound insight into the complex and multifaceted nature of encounters between different cultures, challenging preconceived notions and illuminating the rich tapestry of human history. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the intersection of culture, identity, and the portrayal of foreigners in literature.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367683399