Heruli
Jordanes, writing in the sixth century from Constantinople, described Scandinavia as a workshop or womb of nations. He claimed that Heruli had been driven out of their own settlements by Danes centuries before his time. This narrative has shaped modern understanding of their origins for over a thousand years. Some scholars interpret this expulsion as happening long ago, placing Heruli roots in present-day Denmark or southern Sweden. Others argue the expulsion was recent, suggesting expelled Heruli were themselves immigrants returning to Scandinavia from the Danube region. Procopius, a contemporary of Jordanes, recounted a migration by sixth-century Heruli noblemen to Thule after their kingdom fell to Lombards. These nobles sent an embassy back to Scandinavian Heruli to find a king when they needed leadership in the Balkans. Ellegård noted that only a small group lived there for about 38 to 40 years in the first half of the sixth century AD. The evidence remains debated, with some historians calling the return story plausible and others dismissing it as a fairy tale.
In 267, a Heruli fleet departed from the Sea of Azov and passed through the Bosphorus straits. They took control of Byzantion and Chrysopolis before retreating to the Black Sea. Emerging again, they raided Cyzicus and entered the Aegean Sea, troubling islands like Lemnos, Skyros, and Imbros. Their forces landed in the Peloponnese, plundering Sparta, Corinth, Argos, and the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia. By late 267, they reached Athens, where local militias defended the city against the sack despite a new wall built during Valerian's reign. In 268, Emperor Gallienus defeated Heruli at the river Nestos using mobile cavalry. A Herulian chief named Naulobatus became the first barbarian known from written records to receive imperial insignia from Romans, gaining the rank of consul. These defeated men likely joined the Roman military shortly after surrender. A second campaign began in 269 and ended in 270, involving thousands of ships leaving the Dnieper mouth. This force included Peuci, Greutungi, Austrogothi, Tervingi, Vesi, Gepids, Celts, and Heruli. One group attacked Thessaloniki while another raided Rhodes, Crete, and Cyprus. A Herulian chieftain named Andonnoballus switched sides to join Rome, marking another instance of Heruli entering imperial service.
After Attila died in 453, his sons lost power over various peoples at the Battle of Nedao in 454. The Heruli fought there but their allegiance remains unknown among former allies. They consolidated a kingdom north of modern Vienna and Bratislava near the Morava river. Peter Heather described this realm as middle-sized, similar to Rugian territory but less powerful than Gothic or Lombard confederations. By 480, Heruli attacked Ioviaco near Passau according to Severinus of Noricum's reports. In 468 or 469 they gained control south of Lake Balaton after Sciri downfall. Odoacer defeated neighbors Rugii in 488, allowing Danube Heruli to take Rugian territories. Rodulph became king around 500 when Heruli made peace with Ostrogoth Theoderic. The kingdom could muster an army of 5,000 to 10,000 men. Between 494 and 508, King Rodulph lost his kingdom to Lombards who had initially been under Herule hegemony. After destruction by Lombards, Heruli fortunes waned significantly. Splinter groups moved to Sweden, Ostrogothic Italy, and present-day Serbia under Eastern Roman control.
In 286 Claudius Mamertinus reported Maximian defeating Heruli and Chaibones attacking Gaul. A distinct Western kingdom may have existed near the Lower Rhine separate from Black Sea origins. Before Attila's time Romans established a Herulian auxiliary unit called Heruli seniores in northern Italy. This lightly-equipped unit often associated with Batavian Batavi seniores. In 314 Heruli appeared in Laterculus Veronensis among barbarian peoples living under Roman domination. By 360 Constantius II ordered Julian the Apostate to send Heruli units fighting Parthians in Middle East. Records imply these Heruli left homes east of Rhine, suggesting movement westward. In 366 Batavian and Heruli units fought Alamanni near Rhine under Charietto leadership before battling Picts and Scoti in Britain. Large numbers crossed Rhine entering Roman Gaul around 405 or 406. Saint Jerome listed them among ferocious nations occupying all parts of Roman Gaul. Sidonius Apollinaris mentioned Heruli troops defending Gallia Belgica from Burgundians in 435. Two sea raids occurred by Heruli around coastal Spain during 450s as reported by Hydatius. Shortly after 475 Sidonius Apollinaris noted Heruli presence at Visigothic court of Euric in Bordeaux.
After Danubian kingdom destruction by Lombards in or before 508, Heruli fortunes waned further. Procopius recorded that in 512 a group including royalty went north settling in Thule meaning Scandinavia. They traversed Slavic lands then empty territories before reaching Danes near Geats. Another group received civil and military offices from Theoderic the Great in Pavia north Italy. Main Danube Heruli moved downstream to areas where Rugii had sought refuge in 488 suffering famine there. Seeking refuge among Gepids they crossed Danube coming under East Roman authority. Emperor Anastasius Caesar allowed resettlement in depopulated lands and cities in 512. Justinian integrated them into empire as buffer between Romans and independent Lombards and Gepids. Under encouragement Herule king Grepes converted to Orthodox Christianity in 528 with nobles and twelve relatives. Several thousand served in Belisarius personal guard throughout African campaigns while Narses recruited from them too. Pharas emerged as notable Herulian commander during these times. In early 540s Plague of Justinian killed Grepes and most family members. During rebellion period 545-548 Heruli who settled Balkans killed own king Ochus seeking new leadership from Scandinavian branch. New king Datius arrived with brother Aordus and 200 young men after first choice died en route. Two thirds submitted to Gepids while supporters of Datius defected with Suartuas backed by empire. After one generation in Belgrade area Herulian federate polity disappears from surviving records replaced by incoming Avars.
In earliest mentions fourth century records called them Eluri with L and R reversed compared later records. Dexippus gave Greek etymology claiming name derived from swamps helē of Azov homeland. Modern scholars consider etymology uncertain though thought Germanic. Some speculate connection to English word earl implying honorific military title suggesting brotherhood mobile warriors without consensus on proposal based only name reputation. Proposals connected pronunciation erilaR found runic inscriptions Scandinavia or words for werewolves magic powers none verifiable. Personal names provide direct evidence language believed Germanic. Attested names like Faras Alvith Fanotheus Filimuth Hariso Sindval Svartva Uligangus Visandus clearly Germanic according Schönfeld. Other names include Sindila Batemodus Cunthia sounding Dacian Andonnoballus Datius Forstemann Schoenfeld offer no Germanic etymology. Ochus appears Iranian Aordus based Sarmatian Aorsi Verus quite Roman Halaricus Rodvulf Fulcaris yield results Germanic philology. Given association Goths may spoken East Germanic related Gothic alternatively North Germanic proposed due Scandinavian connections.
Procopius described early religion as polytheistic society practicing human sacrifice worshipping Odin possibly spreading worship Northern Europe. By Justinian time many Heruli became Arian Christians while emperor pursued converting them orthodox Chalcedonian Christianity. Procopius claimed Heruli practiced senicide having non-relative kill sick elderly burning remains wooden pyre. Following husband death women expected commit suicide hanging. He also claimed homosexuality bestiality especially men with donkeys from Greek text anders te kai andron kai onon. Scholars note Procopius disliked Heruli presenting negative light possible stereotypes archaic conventions requiring caution using descriptions evidence. Walter Goffart noted despite praising Herule named Pharas bringing surrender north African Vandal king Gelimer he did not drink excessively unreliable. Jordanes wrote Heruli claimed tallest people Scandza surpassing Germans size spirit Sidonius Apollinaris stated blue-grey eyes tumuli Middle Danube early sixth century similar southern Sweden indicating close trade relations Baltic peoples.
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Common questions
Who were the Heruli according to Jordanes and Procopius?
Jordanes described the Heruli as a Germanic people driven from their Scandinavian settlements by Danes centuries before his sixth-century writing. Procopius recorded that Heruli noblemen migrated to Thule after their kingdom fell to Lombards, sending an embassy back to Scandinavia to find a king.
When did the Heruli fleet depart from the Sea of Azov in 267 AD?
In 267, a Heruli fleet departed from the Sea of Azov and passed through the Bosphorus straits to take control of Byzantion and Chrysopolis. They subsequently raided Cyzicus and entered the Aegean Sea, troubling islands like Lemnos, Skyros, and Imbros before landing in the Peloponnese.
Where was the Heruli kingdom located north of modern Vienna and Bratislava?
The Heruli consolidated a kingdom near the Morava river north of modern Vienna and Bratislava after Attila died in 453. This realm existed between 480 and 508 until King Rodulph lost it to the Lombards who had initially been under Herule hegemony.
How many men could the Heruli army muster during their kingdom period?
Heruli forces could muster an army of 5,000 to 10,000 men while they held their kingdom near the Morava river. These numbers reflect the military capacity available before the kingdom fell to the Lombards around 508.
What is the etymology of the name Heruli according to Dexippus and modern scholars?
Dexippus gave a Greek etymology claiming the name derived from swamps helē of the Azov homeland. Modern scholars consider this etymology uncertain though thought Germanic, with some speculating connections to English word earl or runic inscriptions found in Scandinavia.