The Heliand

A translation of a 9th-century Saxon epic poem that offers a poetic reworking of the Gospel into Northern European warrior imagery and culture. The text of the poem is accompanied by notes and an introduction that sheds light on the cultural context in which the poem was written. A spirited retelling of the Gospel story in a Germanic setting, the ninth-century A.D. Old Saxon epic poem The Heliand is at last available in English in Ronald Murphy's graceful new translation. Representing the first full integration and poetic reworking of the Gospel story into Northern European warrior imagery and culture, the poem finds a place for many Old Northern religious concepts and images while remaining faithful to the orthodox Christian teaching of the Gospel of St. Mark. Accessible to students of medieval and comparative literature, Murphy's introduction and notes provide valuable insight and a cultural context for this unique masterpiece.

Pagina's: 256, Paperback, Oxford University Press Inc