Genealogy as a Method to Legitimise Rulership in Some Balkan and Scandinavian Sources

• Authors: Vesela Stankova
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This paper will focus on several sources from Scandinavia and the Balkans, and compare the types of genealogies portrayed in them – descent from gods, descent from another kind of supernatural being, descent from a legendary hero. The paper will examine the types of genealogies and the purpose they serve; how and why they were commissioned? Is there a difference in the establishment of the image of the ruler if the latter has descended from gods, legendary heroes, or a specific clan or dynasty? Does Christianity change the tradition of writing genealogies and the stories they retell? Are personal qualities enough to provide legitimate claims?

Keywords

EN

Icelandic sagas; the Nominalia; kings lists; genealogies; origin stories; legitimization; cultural memory; cultural identity; founding narratives; crisis literature

• Publisher: Uniwersytet Łódzki. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
• Journal: Studia Ceranea
• Year: 2020
• Volume: 10
• Pages: 227-239

Dates

published

2020-12-23

Contributors

author

Vesela Stankova

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Identifiers

DOI

10.18778/2084-140X.10.10