Krodo
Encyclopedia
According to Konrad Botho's Chronicle of the Saxons or Saxon Chronicle from 1492 Krodo was a Germanic god of the Saxons
who is supposed to have been similar to the Roman god Saturn
and in 780 was overthrown at Harzburg
by Charlemagne
during the defeat of the East Saxons
.
The Saxon Chronicle (Sassenchronik) contains a fanciful picture of Krodo as a man, who is standing on a large fish holding a bucket of flowers in his right hand and an upright wheel in his left. Because the Saxon Chronicle is the only source, the existence today of the god Krodo is generally considered doubtful along with other supposed Germanic gods such of doubtful origin such as Ostara, Biel, Stuffo
or Lollus. Despite that there is in Goslar
today still the so-called Krodo Altar
which probably stems dates to 1040. In folk legend the tales of the Idol of Crodo (Götzen Crodo) were passed down apparently as a subject in the region of the villages of Götzenthal and Grotenleide near the Saxon town of Meerane
.
The spa resort of Bad Harzburg
advertises itself today using the figure of Krodo as a mascot.
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
who is supposed to have been similar to the Roman god Saturn
Saturn (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Saturn was a major god presiding over agriculture and the harvest time. His reign was depicted as a Golden Age of abundance and peace by many Roman authors. In medieval times he was known as the Roman god of agriculture, justice and strength. He held a sickle in...
and in 780 was overthrown at Harzburg
Harzburg
The Harzburg, also called Großer Harzburg, is a former imperial castle on the edge of the Harz mountains directly above the spa resort of Bad Harzburg in Goslar district in the German state of Lower Saxony....
by Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
during the defeat of the East Saxons
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
.
The Saxon Chronicle (Sassenchronik) contains a fanciful picture of Krodo as a man, who is standing on a large fish holding a bucket of flowers in his right hand and an upright wheel in his left. Because the Saxon Chronicle is the only source, the existence today of the god Krodo is generally considered doubtful along with other supposed Germanic gods such of doubtful origin such as Ostara, Biel, Stuffo
Stuffo
Stuffo is the name of a supposed Germanic god, who originates from various late medieval legends from Germany related to Saint Boniface.-Origin:...
or Lollus. Despite that there is in Goslar
Goslar
Goslar is a historic town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Goslar and located on the northwestern slopes of the Harz mountain range. The Old Town of Goslar and the Mines of Rammelsberg are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.-Geography:Goslar is situated at the...
today still the so-called Krodo Altar
Krodo Altar
The Krodo Altar in Goslar, Germany, is an altar made entirely of bronze and is the only surviving metal church altar from the Romanesque period. It was probably made in the late 11th century and is named after the Germanic "pseudo-god", Krodo. It was originally in the Collegiate Church of St....
which probably stems dates to 1040. In folk legend the tales of the Idol of Crodo (Götzen Crodo) were passed down apparently as a subject in the region of the villages of Götzenthal and Grotenleide near the Saxon town of Meerane
Meerane
Meerane is a town in the Zwickau district of Saxony, Germany. It lies midway between the towns of Chemnitz and Zwickau.As of 31 December 2008, there were 16,517 inhabitants...
.
The spa resort of Bad Harzburg
Bad Harzburg
Bad Harzburg is a town in central Germany, in the Goslar district of Lower Saxony. It lies on the northern edge of the Harz mountains and is a recognised saltwater spa and climatic health resort.- Location :...
advertises itself today using the figure of Krodo as a mascot.
Sources
- Vollmer, Wilhelm: Wörterbuch der Mythologie. Stuttgart 1874, S. 302.
- J.A.E. Köhler: Das Sagenbuch des Erzgebirges, 1886