Muspilli
Encyclopedia
Muspilli is one of but two surviving pieces of Old High German
epic poetry
(the other being Hildebrandslied), dating to around 870. One large fragment of the text has survived in the margins and empty pages of a codex marked as the possession of Louis the German
and now in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (cim. 14098). The beginning and end of the poem have not survived. It was re-discovered in 1817 and first published
in 1832 by Johann Andreas Schmeller
, who also titled it Muspilli, after a central word in the text.
The poem has been theorized as a Christianized version of the pagan
Ragnarök
, with figures represented in 13th century sources swapped with Christian figures; Surtr
replaced by the Antichrist whom Elias - replacing Thor
- fights, Loki
by the old fiend. In the Norse Ragnarök, Muspelheim
and Muspel play a large role, and both versions involve a wolf. Grau proposes a connection of all of the material in the poem except for two verses to the 4th century theologian Ephraim the Syrian.
and meaning of the term Muspilli
(a hapax legomenon
in Old High German
, though forms of the word are attested in Old Saxon
and Old Norse
) is uncertain, but it is surmised to describe some sort of cataclysm
ic end of the world in fire (ekpyrosis
). The poem is an example of early Germanic Christianity
, combining pagan
elements with the Biblical or Christian concepts, featuring Elijah, the Antichrist
and the Last Judgement. Muspel and Muspil translate as "Muor's" "Maris" "Marsh" Pfell. Where Fell is the Norse word for Hill. What they are describing is a moss covered hill often used as a smithery. Because it was used as a smithery it may have doubled as a lighthouse. During this time period Iron was extracted from the moss/marsh. Look at cognates example Musbach, Musholm, Musberg, Mushorn, Musdolch, Musgaard, Musland, Musdal, Mushom, Mustraum, Masfjord and Musfjel... They suggest somewhere between the 9th and 12th Century. In addition, the battle of Maserfeld or Maserfield in Mercia is an associated example of this early loss of r - 9th Century. Moss-trooper
or Mostrooper being a later example.
, which the text says will precede the Last Judgement. The two combatants are fighting as champion
s for God
and the Devil
, respectively. The Antichrist will fall but Elijah will be wounded and his blood dripping on the Earth will set the world on fire – announcing the muspilli (v. 38-56). The rest of the poem is concerned with the Resurrection
and Judgment Day itself (v. 57-103).
Verses 44-54: {
The Antichrist stands with the old fiend,
With the Satan
, who will ruin him:
On the battlefield, he falls wounded
And in battle without victory
But many men of God ween
That Elijah will be wounded in that battle,
When the blood of Elijah drips onto the soil
The mountains will burn, no tree will stand,
Not any on earth, water dries up,
Sea is swallowed, flaming burn the heavens,
Moon falls, Midgard
burns
Old High German
The term Old High German refers to the earliest stage of the German language and it conventionally covers the period from around 500 to 1050. Coherent written texts do not appear until the second half of the 8th century, and some treat the period before 750 as 'prehistoric' and date the start of...
epic poetry
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
(the other being Hildebrandslied), dating to around 870. One large fragment of the text has survived in the margins and empty pages of a codex marked as the possession of Louis the German
Louis the German
Louis the German , also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian, was a grandson of Charlemagne and the third son of the succeeding Frankish Emperor Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye.He received the appellation 'Germanicus' shortly after his death in recognition of the fact...
and now in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (cim. 14098). The beginning and end of the poem have not survived. It was re-discovered in 1817 and first published
Editio princeps
In classical scholarship, editio princeps is a term of art. It means, roughly, the first printed edition of a work that previously had existed only in manuscripts, which could be circulated only after being copied by hand....
in 1832 by Johann Andreas Schmeller
Johann Andreas Schmeller
Johann Andreas Schmeller was a German philologist who initially studied the Bavarian dialect. From 1828 until his death he taught in the University of Munich. He died in 1852.-Biography:...
, who also titled it Muspilli, after a central word in the text.
The poem has been theorized as a Christianized version of the pagan
Germanic paganism
Germanic paganism refers to the theology and religious practices of the Germanic peoples of north-western Europe from the Iron Age until their Christianization during the Medieval period...
Ragnarök
Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...
, with figures represented in 13th century sources swapped with Christian figures; Surtr
Surtr
In Norse mythology, Surtr or Surt is an eldjötunn. Surtr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson...
replaced by the Antichrist whom Elias - replacing Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
- fights, Loki
Loki
In Norse mythology, Loki or Loke is a god or jötunn . Loki is the son of Fárbauti and Laufey, and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. By the jötunn Angrboða, Loki is the father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. By his wife Sigyn, Loki is the father of Nari or Narfi...
by the old fiend. In the Norse Ragnarök, Muspelheim
Muspelheim
In Norse mythology, Muspelheim , also called Múspell, is a realm of fire. This realm is one of the Nine Worlds and it is home to the fire jötunn or the Sons of Muspell, and Surtr, their ruler. It is fire; and the land to the North, Niflheim, is ice...
and Muspel play a large role, and both versions involve a wolf. Grau proposes a connection of all of the material in the poem except for two verses to the 4th century theologian Ephraim the Syrian.
Title etymology
The etymologyEtymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
and meaning of the term Muspilli
Muspelheim
In Norse mythology, Muspelheim , also called Múspell, is a realm of fire. This realm is one of the Nine Worlds and it is home to the fire jötunn or the Sons of Muspell, and Surtr, their ruler. It is fire; and the land to the North, Niflheim, is ice...
(a hapax legomenon
Hapax legomenon
A hapax legomenon is a word which occurs only once within a context, either in the written record of an entire language, in the works of an author, or just in a single text. The term is sometimes used incorrectly to describe a word that occurs in just one of an author's works, even though it...
in Old High German
Old High German
The term Old High German refers to the earliest stage of the German language and it conventionally covers the period from around 500 to 1050. Coherent written texts do not appear until the second half of the 8th century, and some treat the period before 750 as 'prehistoric' and date the start of...
, though forms of the word are attested in Old Saxon
Old Saxon
Old Saxon, also known as Old Low German, is the earliest recorded form of Low German, documented from the 8th century until the 12th century, when it evolved into Middle Low German. It was spoken on the north-west coast of Germany and in the Netherlands by Saxon peoples...
and Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
) is uncertain, but it is surmised to describe some sort of cataclysm
Cataclysm
The term cataclysm The term cataclysm The term cataclysm (from the Greek kataklysmos, to 'wash down' (kluzein "wash" + kata "down") may refer to:*Deluge (mythology)*a hypothetical Doomsday event*any catastrophic geological phenomenon**volcanic eruption**earthquake...
ic end of the world in fire (ekpyrosis
Ekpyrôsis
Ekpyrosis is a Stoic belief in the periodic destruction of the cosmos by a great conflagration every Great Year. The cosmos is then recreated only to be destroyed again at the end of the new cycle....
). The poem is an example of early Germanic Christianity
Germanic Christianity
The Germanic people underwent gradual Christianization in the course of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. By the 8th century, England and the Frankish Empire were Christian, and by AD 1100 Germanic paganism had also ceased to have political influence in Scandinavia.-History:In the 4th...
, combining pagan
Germanic paganism
Germanic paganism refers to the theology and religious practices of the Germanic peoples of north-western Europe from the Iron Age until their Christianization during the Medieval period...
elements with the Biblical or Christian concepts, featuring Elijah, the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
and the Last Judgement. Muspel and Muspil translate as "Muor's" "Maris" "Marsh" Pfell. Where Fell is the Norse word for Hill. What they are describing is a moss covered hill often used as a smithery. Because it was used as a smithery it may have doubled as a lighthouse. During this time period Iron was extracted from the moss/marsh. Look at cognates example Musbach, Musholm, Musberg, Mushorn, Musdolch, Musgaard, Musland, Musdal, Mushom, Mustraum, Masfjord and Musfjel... They suggest somewhere between the 9th and 12th Century. In addition, the battle of Maserfeld or Maserfield in Mercia is an associated example of this early loss of r - 9th Century. Moss-trooper
Moss-trooper
Moss-troopers were bandits who operated in Scotland during and after the period of the English Commonwealth in the mid-17th century.Many moss-troopers were disbanded or deserting soldiers from one of the Scottish armies of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
or Mostrooper being a later example.
Text
The focus of the text is first on the fate of the soul after death. The hosts of heaven and hell do battle over the deceased individual's soul and the winning party will carry it off as booty (v. 1-37). Attention then shifts to another battle, the battle between Elijah and the AntichristAntichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
, which the text says will precede the Last Judgement. The two combatants are fighting as champion
Champion
A champion is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition.There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, and even further divisions at one or more of these levels, as in soccer. Their champions...
s for God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
, respectively. The Antichrist will fall but Elijah will be wounded and his blood dripping on the Earth will set the world on fire – announcing the muspilli (v. 38-56). The rest of the poem is concerned with the Resurrection
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
and Judgment Day itself (v. 57-103).
Verses 44-54: {
- der antichristo stet pi demo altfiant,
- stet pi demo Satanase, der inan uarsenkan scal:
- pidiu scal er in deru uuicsteti uunt piuallan
- enti in demo sinde sigalos uuerdan.
- doh uuanit des uilo ... gotmanno,
- daz Elias in demo uuige aruuartit uuerde.
- so daz Eliases pluot in erda kitriufit,
- so inprinnant die perga, poum ni kistentit
- enihc in erdu, aha artruknent,
- muor varsuuilhit sih, suilizot lougiu der himil,
- mano uallit, prinnit mittilagart
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
, who will ruin him:
Midgard
Midgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is an old Germanic name for our world and is the home of Humans, with the literal meaning "middle enclosure".-Etymology:...
burns