Waltharius: The Latin Epic of Walther of Aquitaine
Translated by Brian Murdoch
Uppsala Books
ISBN: 978-1-961361-20-1
This early medieval epic, set during the time of Attila the Hun, follows three hostages—two men and a woman—who are sent to his court. Both in its original Latin and in English translation, the tale weaves together themes of violence, friendship, and loyalty.
Excerpt:
Waltharius, a Latin epic composed by a speaker of a Germanic language sometime in the ninth or tenth century, is one of the great monuments of medieval literature. As a complete and coherent work rooted in Germanic heroic legend, it deserves a readership comparable to other works fitting that description – e.g., Beowulf, the Nibelungenlied, the Poetic Edda, the Saga of the Volsungs – but it has never received such a readership. Whereas all of the aforementioned works are readily available in Penguin Classics and Oxford Classics volumes, Waltharius has never been included in any such series. The reason for this odd omission must be that Waltharius has been a treasure hoarded by professional scholars and narrow specialists. Insufficient efforts have been made to bring the poem to a wider audience, raise awareness of its value, and provide the reading public with an affordable and accessible book that equips readers with all they need to understand and appreciate this medieval masterpiece. The present book is intended to fix that.
Who is this book for?
Beyond being an engaging read, Waltharius offers valuable insights for medievalists, shedding light on Germanic culture, heroic literature, and medieval perceptions of the past. While not the only translation of Waltharius out there, this edition is designed for both general readers and students, with its introduction striking a balance between accessibility and scholarly depth.
The Author
Brian Murdoch is Emeritus Professor at the University of Stirling, where he reseaches both medieval and modern literature.
Waltharius: The Latin Epic of Walther of Aquitaine
Translated by Brian Murdoch
Uppsala Books
ISBN: 978-1-961361-20-1
This early medieval epic, set during the time of Attila the Hun, follows three hostages—two men and a woman—who are sent to his court. Both in its original Latin and in English translation, the tale weaves together themes of violence, friendship, and loyalty.
Excerpt:
Waltharius, a Latin epic composed by a speaker of a Germanic language sometime in the ninth or tenth century, is one of the great monuments of medieval literature. As a complete and coherent work rooted in Germanic heroic legend, it deserves a readership comparable to other works fitting that description – e.g., Beowulf, the Nibelungenlied, the Poetic Edda, the Saga of the Volsungs – but it has never received such a readership. Whereas all of the aforementioned works are readily available in Penguin Classics and Oxford Classics volumes, Waltharius has never been included in any such series. The reason for this odd omission must be that Waltharius has been a treasure hoarded by professional scholars and narrow specialists. Insufficient efforts have been made to bring the poem to a wider audience, raise awareness of its value, and provide the reading public with an affordable and accessible book that equips readers with all they need to understand and appreciate this medieval masterpiece. The present book is intended to fix that.
Who is this book for?
Beyond being an engaging read, Waltharius offers valuable insights for medievalists, shedding light on Germanic culture, heroic literature, and medieval perceptions of the past. While not the only translation of Waltharius out there, this edition is designed for both general readers and students, with its introduction striking a balance between accessibility and scholarly depth.
The Author
Brian Murdoch is Emeritus Professor at the University of Stirling, where he reseaches both medieval and modern literature.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
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