The rune marked Viking commander was a significant figure in Viking society. Vikings were fierce warriors and skilled navigators who lived during the Late Iron Age and early Medieval period. They were known for their seafaring expeditions, pillaging raids, and military conquests. The Viking commander, armed with his leadership skills and battle prowess, held immense power and influence. One notable characteristic of the Viking commander was the presence of runes marked on his person. Runes were a writing system used by the Vikings, consisting of various symbols and characters.
Runes were a writing system used by the Vikings, consisting of various symbols and characters. Each rune carried its own meaning and was believed to possess magical properties. It was common for Viking commanders to have runes inscribed on their weapons, armor, and personal belongings.
Viking Runes on the Piraeus Lion in Venice
The Venetian Arsenal is guarded by four statues of lions. One of them, a nine feet high marble beast, bears on its mighty shoulders two lengthy runic inscriptions. These are carved within the intricate ornaments that represent writhing lindworms, characteristic for classical runestone design. The holy patron of Venice is St. Mark; the vicissitudes of fate that brought the lion, St. Mark’s symbol, to Venice, deserve some consideration. In 1687, during the Great Turkish War, Athens were besieged by Francesco Morosini, Venetian naval commander, who, beside being victorious over his enemies and damaging the Parthenon by the cannon fire, did not hesitate to pillage the city. Among other trophies he brought home two marble lions that decorated the Piraeus harbour of Athens since the first or second century AD. One of them was covered by the signs that no one could understand. It is only a hundred years later that the inscriptions were identified as runic by Johan David Åkerblad, Swedish diplomatist. However, already by that time several fragments of the carvings were destroyed by erosion, so that deciphering and translation were barely feasible. Attempts to read the texts abound, but hardly any one of the interpretations might be relied upon. Nowadays, the runes and the ornaments almost disappeared, the Viking Sphinx still keeping its secret. Yet the main message is quite intelligible: the bold Varangians intended to say, “Kilroy was here,” thus proving the phrase “Athenian Vikings” not to be as unlikely as one might believe. Image: Monuments runographiques. Copenhagen, 1856.
2 comments… add one ~ethelThis is an awesome story. May I ask where the illustration came from? Would be great to include in a book I am editing for Taschen titled “Trespass: Uncommissioned Public Art”.
Viking RuneThe illustration is from C. C. Rafn, Antiquités de l’Orient. Monuments runographiques, published by la Société royale des antiquaires du Nord, Copenhagen, 1856.
Last week, I began telling you the story of Kaldheim's design. I've structured my story in a way that looks at each of the eight topics we wrote up during our first meeting, things that we thought players would expect from a Norse-inspired set. They are:
These markings served multiple purposes, including protection and to invoke favorable conditions in battle. The main idea: The rune marked Viking commander held significant power and influence in Viking society. The presence of runes on their person symbolized their status and often served a protective or auspicious purpose..
Reviews for "Decoding the Runes: The Markings of a Viking Commander"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Rune marked viking commander" as I am a fan of historical fiction, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style also didn't captivate me, and I found myself losing interest midway through. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to create an engaging and immersive Viking tale.
2. Michael - 2/5 - As a fan of Viking sagas, I was eager to dive into "Rune marked viking commander," but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the story didn't offer anything new or exciting. The characters were forgettable, and their development was minimal. Additionally, the historical accuracy was questionable at times, which further detracted from my enjoyment. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to fellow Viking enthusiasts looking for an engrossing read.