#swordofthewargod

#ClaidheamhSoluis or #swordoflight . The divine sword was a fiery and bright lightning weapon, most often conceived of as a throwing spear; in later traditions, the wielder would change from god to hero, and the spear tended to be replaced by sword. . From the heroic cycles, some prominent examples are Fergus Mac Roigh's sword #Caladbolg (covered in yesterday's post) and Mac Cecht's spear. Caladbolg was not a blazing sword. (but it did emit a rainbow arc of light when swung). . The sword of light (sometimes glaive) is a trope artefact that occurs in many Gaelic tales and folklore. The "Quest for sword of light" being one. The hero in these tropes may resort to the sword of light as the only effective weapon against his enemies, but often the sword is was not enough, and the supernatural enemy has to be attacked on a single vulnerable spot. Once again a parallel can be drawn from the #norsemythology of #baldr being struck by #hodr with a #spear . The assertion has been made that the sword #Claidheamh #Soluis is "a symbol of Ireland attributed in oral tradition to #Cúchulainn " (James Mackillop). . T. F. O'Rahilly suggested that the "sword of light" in folk tales was a vestige of divine weapons and heroic weapons, such as Cúchulainn's #shiningsword #CruaidínCatutchenn whose name means ‘the Hard-headed Steeling’. This sword (aka "Socht's sword") is said to have "shone at night like a candle". Frodo's sword spring to mind. . the legacy of these mythological and heroic weapons resemble the god Lug's lighting weapon, his "son" Cúchulainn's sword, (which I'll cover in another post) survive in the "sword of light" in folklore. . Willy Pogany 'The King's Son of Ireland.' (1916). . 1922/3 Ireland definitive 6p postage stamp showing Claidheamh Soluis (The Sword of Light). . #SWORDOFTHEWARGOD #celtic #gaelic #celticmythology #irish #irishmythology #mythology #bookseries #book #lugh #baldur #loki #godofwar #pagan #paganism #folklore #writer #swords https://www.instagram.com/p/CNj4vq8n0hK/?igshid=ssgs2q24gv0i

I felt it necessary to follow on from perseus' #Harpe as it was one of the original #swords of the #wargods and there is more to say. . Harpe, in #greekmythology was also used by Zeus's son #Hermes (an Odin equivalent) to slay the titan #Argus . #Hercules had defeated the #Hydra with the same weapon. It is from these exchanges that the harpe got nicknames such as the #Scythe of #Cronus or the #Sickle of #Zeus (thor's equivalent) . The #falx to the romans, (meaning sickle) or a #sica to the #dacians and #thracians was a weapon with a curved blade that was sharp only on the inside. It was often used to disable soldiers by hacking at their right arms in the dacian wars of 101-102AD. It was so effective, the romans decided to use it. This was their key tactic afterall, if you can't beat them, employ one to fight the other! Or if that doesn't apply simply copy your enemy as best you can. . Pictures: Roman monument commemorating the Battle of Adamclisi. . #SWORDOFTHEWARGOD #history #swords #books #bookseries #ancientgreece #mythology #greekmyths #dacianwars https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIK2gHHZRB/?igshid=1lkiw2vtcbfzf

Stora Hammars stone I depicts the battle of Heodenings, or the #sagaofhild . The tale is about a never ending battle between #HedinnandHogni over the abduction of Hogni's daughter, Hild. . The two were equals in martial prowess but Hedin was young, ambitious and unmarried, while Hogni was older and married to Hervor, daughter of Horjard, son of Heiderik Wolfskin. (A clear indication that this saga is linked to the Hervarasaga!) . Hedin abducted Hogni's daughter because he was too proud to ask Hogni for his daughter's hand. (He's also under some sort of spell after meeting a witch and drinking with her) He stole Hild away, killed her mother and Hogni pursued him in understandable rage, to an island called Hoy. . Hedinn comes to his sense and tried to offer Hogni compensation for the abduction of his daughter, Högni replies: . 'Thou hast made this offer over-late, if thou wouldst make peace: for now I have drawn #dainsleif which the dwarves made, and which must cause a man's death every time it is bared, nor ever fails in its stroke; moreover, the wound heals not if one be scratched with it.' . This sword Hogni speaks of here, is undoubtedly the very same sword #tyrfing and this is a second link from the #Hervarasaga . Heddin and Hogni's armies fought, and even though they cut each other all over, they stood still fighting and fighting for 143 years, until Olaf Trygvasson arrived at the island. . #SWORDOFTHEWARGOD #norsemythology #norse #mythology #Hjaðningavíg #Writer #bookseries #history #dainsleif https://www.instagram.com/p/CMedP_vnNuE/?igshid=2sbjg6j51x1g

The saga of grettir the strong is about Grettir Ásmundarson, an Icelandic outlaw. . Again, there are many similarities with this saga to the Hervarasaga. A reason for this, I believe, is that there was once an older, more solid truth that the more contemporary tales have borrowed from. Often, the older the source, the more accurate the root of it's truth is. . Just like in the #Hervarasaga .. . Grettir, is rebellious, bad-tempered, and mischievous. His brother Atli is quiet and mild mannered. . Their father preffered Atli and their mother, Grettir. . He is temporarily banished from iceland after killing someone, asks his father for his sword, is denied and his mother gives him their family heirloom sword! #Jökulsnautr . (Ring any bells?) . Grettir goes on many adventures and later is cursed, his poor luck causes him further banishment when he returns to Iceland. He must live iut his days on a cliff. He is repeatedly beyrayed by outlaws and it's there his enemies succeed in defeating him. . (Just like the thralls killing Heidrek in the #tyrfingcycle for the sword.) . #SWORDOFTHEWARGOD #norse #mythology #norsemythology #bookseries #writer #book #books #tyrfing #sword #mythologies . Bjarg memorial stone in west iceland. The memorial displays a relief from Grettis Saga made by Icelandic artist Halldór Pétursson. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMje-AUneUB/?igshid=2wr4mnij27hs

A large part of my #historicalfiction takes place in #arló where this lake now resides. Flanked by mountains, people that once lived here during the 3rd century might have found it naturally easy to defend. . Godigisel, a Goth slave is taken here and discovers his unsual fate. . This lakeside village that has inspired my storyword, lies in the foothills of the #BükkMountains in the county of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén. . This lake was created due to a landslide, decades ago. Parts of a mountain slid down the valley and formed a natural dam. With the local stream blocked, rising waters created the lake we see today. In Europe there are only two lakes formed like this. . Photo credits: . https://m.facebook.com/pg/ArloNagykozseg/posts/ . https://m.facebook.com/pg/Arlosuvadas/reviews/ . #swordofthewargod #writer #writerscommunity #writers #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookseries #sarmatianwars #sarmatians #books https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrYRwNLEu1/?igshid=156rzujjtrygt