The Waltharius is a Latin epic poem of 1452 lines probably written in a Germanic land of Europe sometime between 840 and 965. Some attribute the poem to Ekkehard I of St. Gall, but that attribution is contested.
The Waltharius concerns the bridal quest of Walter of Aquitaine for Hildegund of Burgandy, both of whom were given as hostages to Attila the Hun. The poem works with traditional, elite Roman Latin literature, especially the Aeneid, a Germanic Walter legend, and Christian piety. It provides keen insights into men’s social position in early medieval Europe.
The Christian epic hero William of Aquitaine / Guillaume d’Orange became a monk who fought to keep his underwear against despoiling, raping robbers. … Read the post Waltharius continued: Christian epic hero becomes monk
The medieval epic Waltharius brings to warrior epic comic literary mixing of the Christian gospels. That’s play as significant as God’s incarnation. … Read the post Christian comedy: epic jesting with the Lord in the Waltharius
The tenth-century Latin epic Waltharius teaches with Walter & Hildegrund vital and enduring lessons in maintaining healthy sexual tension between spouses. … Read the post sexual tension between Walter & Hildegund in tenth-century Europe
In the medieval Latin Waltharius, eleven men eagerly die in battle. In the later Old French epic Aymeri of Narbonne, twelve noble men refuse to battle. … Read the post Waltharius to Aymeri: how to end epic violence against men
Waltharius tells of the power of Attila the Hun’s wife Ospirin & her adopted daughter Hiltgunt, and Walter of Aquitaine’s good reasons for not marrying. … Read the post Ospirin, Hiltgunt & Walter of Aquitaine: medieval wives & husbands