Turcilingi: Difference between revisions – Wikipedia

 

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==Primary sources==

==Primary sources==

All mentions of the Turcilingi possibly go back to only one independent source, [[Jordanes]]. The “Thorcilingi” are mentioned in three descriptions of Odoacer in his works, twice in his ”[[Getica]]” and once in his ”[[Romana (Jordanes)|Romana]]”.

All mentions of the Turcilingi go back to only one independent source, [[Jordanes]]. “Thorcilingi” in three descriptions of Odoacer in his works, twice in his ”[[Getica]]” and once in his ”[[Romana (Jordanes)|Romana]]”.

*Firstly, according to Jordanes, when barbarian soldiers demanded some Italian land on which to settle from [[Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus)|Orestes]], in return for their military service, they were denied. However, Odoacer “king of the Torcilingi” (”rex Torcilingorum”), occupied Italy and killed Orestes. With him were also auxiliaries of various peoples including Sciri, the Heruli.<ref>Jordanes, ”Getica”, XLVI.242 [https://archive.org/details/gothichistoryofj00jorduoft/page/118/mode/2up?q=torcilingi English], [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n197/mode/2up?q=xlvi Latin]</ref>

*Firstly, according to Jordanes, when barbarian soldiers demanded some Italian land on which to settle from [[Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus)|Orestes]], in return for their military service, they were denied. However, Odoacer “king of the Torcilingi” (”rex Torcilingorum”), occupied Italy and killed Orestes. With him were also auxiliaries of various peoples including Sciri, the Heruli.<ref>Jordanes, ”Getica”, XLVI.242 [https://archive.org/details/gothichistoryofj00jorduoft/page/118/mode/2up?q=torcilingi English], [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n197/mode/2up?q=xlvi Latin]</ref>

*Secondly, when describing this same sequence of events in his ”Romana”, Jordanes describes Odoacer as being “of the stock of the Rogus, of the Thorcilingi, fortified with crowds of Sciri and Heruli” ({{lang|la|genere Rogus Thorcilingorum Scirorum Herolorumque turbas munitus}}).<ref>Jordanes, ”Romana”, [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n121/mode/2up?q=rogus 344].</ref>

*Secondly, when describing this same sequence of events in his ”Romana”, Jordanes describes Odoacer as being “of Rogus, of the Thorcilingi, fortified with crowds of Sciri and Heruli” ({{lang|la|genere Rogus Thorcilingorum Scirorum Herolorumque turbas munitus}}).<ref>Jordanes, ”Romana”, [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n121/mode/2up?q=rogus 344].</ref>

*Thirdly, when [[Theodoric the Great]] was looking for a pretext to invade Italy in 493, he petitioned the [[Eastern Roman Emperor]] [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] by reminding him that the city of [[Rome]] was in turmoil under the “tyranny” (unlawful rule) of the king of the Thorcilingi and of the Rogi ({{lang|la|sub regis Thorcilingorum Rogorumque tyrranide fluctuatur}}).<ref>Jordanes, ”Getica”, LVII.291 [https://archive.org/details/gothichistoryofj00jorduoft/page/134/mode/2up?q=torcilingi English], [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n209/mode/2up?q=lvii Latin]</ref>

*Thirdly, when [[Theodoric the Great]] was looking for a pretext to invade Italy in 493, he petitioned the [[Eastern Roman Emperor]] [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] by reminding him that the city of [[Rome]] was in turmoil under the “tyranny” (unlawful rule) of the king of the Thorcilingi and of the Rogi ({{lang|la|sub regis Thorcilingorum Rogorumque tyrranide fluctuatur}}).<ref>Jordanes, ”Getica”, LVII.291 [https://archive.org/details/gothichistoryofj00jorduoft/page/134/mode/2up?q=torcilingi English], [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006532622/page/n209/mode/2up?q=lvii Latin]</ref>

Reynolds and Lopez note that Jordanes consistently writes the word often translated as “[[Rugii]]”, normally equated to the name of a Middle Danubian Germanic people, with an “o” and not a “u”, when referring to Odoacer. They propose that the version in the ”Romana” could be read as “offspring of a person named Rogus” and they connect this to the fact that Rogus was recorded as the name of an uncle of Attila. They therefore propose that the passage originally meant “Torcilingi-king, of the stock of Rogus, with Sciri and Herul followers”.

Reynolds and Lopez that Jordanes consistently writes the word often translated as “[[Rugii]]”, normally equated to the name of a Middle Danubian Germanic people, with an “o” and not a “u”, when referring to Odoacer. They that the version in the ”Romana” could be read as “offspring of a person named Rogus” and they connect this to the fact that an uncle of Attila. They therefore propose that the passage originally meant “Torcilingi-king, of the stock of Rogus, with Sciri and Herul followers”.

Centuries later, they are also mentioned works of [[Paul the Deacon]], in both the ”Historia Langobardorum” and ”Historia Romana”.

Centuries later, they are also mentioned works of [[Paul the Deacon]], in both the ”Historia Langobardorum” and ”Historia Romana”.

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*In a subsequent passage, Paul describes the meeting of Odoacer with Saint [[Severinus of Noricum]], after [[Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus)]] had expelled [[Julius Nepos]] from Rome. He says that Odoacer was at this time making his way to Italy with a large force of Heruli supported by auxiliaries of the Turcilingi, “also called Sciri” ({{lang|la|cum fortissima Herolorum multitudine fretus insuper Turcilingorum sive Scirorum auxiliis}}).<ref>Paul the Deacon, ”Historia Romana”, [https://archive.org/details/paulihistoriaromana/page/n141/mode/2up 15.7].</ref>

*In a subsequent passage, Paul describes the meeting of Odoacer with Saint [[Severinus of Noricum]], after [[Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus)]] had expelled [[Julius Nepos]] from Rome. He says that Odoacer was at this time making his way to Italy with a large force of Heruli supported by auxiliaries of the Turcilingi, “also called Sciri” ({{lang|la|cum fortissima Herolorum multitudine fretus insuper Turcilingorum sive Scirorum auxiliis}}).<ref>Paul the Deacon, ”Historia Romana”, [https://archive.org/details/paulihistoriaromana/page/n141/mode/2up 15.7].</ref>

Krautschick notes that Maenchen-Helfen, in his critique of Reynolds and Lopez, missed the fact that Paul the Deacon actually equated the Torcilingi to the Sciri in one passage, and the Rugii in another. Nevertheless, he claims Paul could have had no known other evidence available than Jordanes, and so these equations can be seen as attempts to explain the differing notices regarding Odoacer’s kingship which Jordanes gives.{{sfn|Krautschick|1986|p=347|loc=fn.25}}

Later still, the “Turcilingi sive Rugi” appear once in the ”Historia Miscella” of [[Landolfus Sagax]] in a passage derived from Paul’s listing of the nations under Attila.{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1947}} Landulf Sagax lists them together with the [[Sciri]] among the nations which participated on the side of [[Attila]] and the [[Huns]] at the [[Battle of the Catalaunian Plains]].{{sfn|Reynolds| Lopez|1946|p=38}}

There are several later references to the Turcilingi, but these are generally accepted to be derived from Jordanes or Paul.<ref>{{harvnb|Reynolds| Lopez|1946|p=38 |loc=fn.8}}, {{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1947|p=853}}, {{harvnb|Krautschick|1986|p=347|loc=fn.25}}.</ref>

[[Fredegar]], writing in the middle of the 7th century, cites the ”Torci” as living in eastern Europe. [[Claude Cahen]] argued that these were a remnant of the Turcilingi.{{sfn|Kim|2013|p=101}}

[[Fredegar]], writing in the middle of the 7th century, cites the ”Torci” as living in eastern Europe. [[Claude Cahen]] argued that these were a remnant of the Turcilingi.{{sfn|Kim|2013|p=101}}

The Turcilingi (also spelled Torcilingi or Thorcilingi) were an obscure barbarian people, or possibly a clan or dynasty, who appear in records relating to peoples from Central Europe in the 5th century AD.

Historical sources associate them with the cluster of Middle Danubian peoples who were under power of Attila the Hun, until he died in 453. They were subsequently present in Italy during the reign of Romulus Augustulus (475–76) when took part in his overthrow. Their only known leader was the leader of these soldiers, Odoacer (Odovacar), but he was described as a ruler of several ethnic groups.

Although various origins have been proposed, including Hunnic, recent research favors the idea that the Turcilingi might be identical to the Thuringii, who are first mentioned in association with a type of horse, also starting in the 5th century.

All mentions of the Turcilingi probably go back to only one independent source, the 6th century writer Jordanes. He mentioned the “Thorcilingi” or “Torcilingi” in three descriptions of Odoacer in his works, twice in his Getica and once in his Romana.

• Firstly, according to Jordanes, when barbarian soldiers demanded some Italian land on which to settle from Orestes, in return for their military service, they were denied. However, Odoacer “king of the Torcilingi” (rex Torcilingorum), occupied Italy and killed Orestes. With him were also auxiliaries of various peoples including Sciri, the Heruli.^[2]
• Secondly, when describing this same sequence of events in his Romana, Jordanes describes Odoacer as being “of Rogus-descent, of the Thorcilingi, fortified with crowds of Sciri and Heruli” (genere Rogus Thorcilingorum Scirorum Herolorumque turbas munitus).^[3]
• Thirdly, when Theodoric the Great was looking for a pretext to invade Italy in 493, he petitioned the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno by reminding him that the city of Rome was in turmoil under the “tyranny” (unlawful rule) of the king of the Thorcilingi and of the Rogi (sub regis Thorcilingorum Rogorumque tyrranide fluctuatur).^[4]

Reynolds and Lopez noted that Jordanes consistently writes the word often translated as “Rugii“, normally equated to the name of a Middle Danubian Germanic people, with an “o” and not a “u”, when referring to Odoacer. They proposed that the version in the Romana could be read as “offspring of a person named Rogus” and they connect this to the fact that a person called Rogas or Ruga or Rugila was recorded as an uncle of Attila. They therefore propose that the passage originally meant “Torcilingi-king, of the stock of Rogus, with Sciri and Herul followers”. Other historians such as Maenchen-Helfen have objected to this translation, although the Latin is unusual in its grammatical structure: “danes certainly wrote a queer sort of Latin, but genere Rogus means even in the most debased Latin ‘by origin a Rogus’, that is ‘a Rugian’.”

Centuries later, they are also mentioned works of Paul the Deacon, in both the Historia Langobardorum and Historia Romana.

• In the opening chapter of his history of the Lombards he names several peoples (Goths, Vandals, Rugii, Heruli, “Turcilingi”) who have come, he says, from Germania to Italy. He goes on to name the Lombards as latecomers from the same region. ^[7]
• When describing the nations subject to Odoacer’s rule he listed the Turcilingi and the Heruli and the portion of the Rugii.^[8]
• In his history of Rome, when listing the nations who were under Attila, Paul the Deacon listed the Heruli, and the Turcilingi “also called Rugii” (Eruli Turcilingi sive Rugi) as nations under him with their own petty kings. These were therefore among the forces who could be called upon for the campaign in Gaul which occured in 451.^[9]
• In a subsequent passage, Paul describes the meeting of Odoacer with Saint Severinus of Noricum, after Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus) had expelled Julius Nepos from Rome. He says that Odoacer was at this time making his way to Italy with a large force of Heruli supported by auxiliaries of the Turcilingi, “also called Sciri” (cum fortissima Herolorum multitudine fretus insuper Turcilingorum sive Scirorum auxiliis).^[10]

Krautschick notes that Maenchen-Helfen, in his critique of Reynolds and Lopez, missed the fact that Paul the Deacon actually equated the Torcilingi to the Sciri in one passage, and the Rugii in another. Nevertheless, he claims Paul could have had no known other evidence available than Jordanes, and so these equations can be seen as attempts to explain the differing notices regarding Odoacer’s kingship which Jordanes gives.

There are several later references to the Turcilingi, but these are generally accepted to be derived from Jordanes or Paul.^[12]

Fredegar, writing in the middle of the 7th century, cites the Torci as living in eastern Europe. Claude Cahen argued that these were a remnant of the Turcilingi.

From the surviving primary sources it has not been possible for modern scholars to reach a consensus about the origin of the Turcilingi.

The Turcilingi were traditionally considered to have been a Germanic tribe.^[14]

In the 19th century, Johann Kaspar Zeuss, followed by Karl Müllenhoff, believed that the ‘Ρουτίχλειοι (Routikleioi) mentioned in the Geographia of Ptolemy (II.11.7) as living near the Baltic Sea, were the Turcilingi. This thesis requires a complex etymological argument. In this case, the Turcilingi appear to have originated near the Baltic Sea, and later moved with the Huns into Gaul and finally to the Danube, possibly Noricum, before entering Italy with Odoacer. It was often assumed that they were an Eastern Germanic people related to the Sciri, or at least connected to the Sciri by special affinity. Nineteenth-century German scholarship thus supposed that the Turcilingi were neighbours of (or the same people as) the Sciri in the first century, or that they were the royal clan of the Sciri^[17] or the Huns.^{[citation needed]} The more enthusiastic invented a homeland for them straddling the Oder, with the Sciri to the east, the Vandals to the west, and the Rugii to the north. These scholars placed them in the Gothic mouvance.^{[citation needed]}

More recently, Herwig Wolfram has continued to classify the Turcilingi as a Germanic tribe, and supports the notion that they were the royal clan of the Sciri.^[17][18]

In recent scholarship the Turcilingi have been identified with the Thuringii by Wolfram Brandes and Helmut Castritius, and this conclusion has begun to gain more acceptance, including Walter Pohl and Peter Heather.^{[citation needed]} The reasoning is based on upon the facts that the Suda describes Odoacer’s brother Onoulphus as a Thuringian on his father’s side and Scirian on his mother’s.^[19] The Thuringian identity of Odoacer’s father is denied in the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire. Hyun Jin Kim thinks the Suda contains a hypercorrection by a scribe who did not recognise the Turcilingi. Jordanes also refers separately to both the Thorcilingi, in the context of Odoacer, and the Thuringians. Concerning the latter he refers once to Hermanafrid king of the “Thuringi”, once to the “Thuringi” living north of the Alamanni, once to their quality of horses, in a passage where there are several spelling variants in manuscripts (Thyringi, Tyringi, Thiringi, Thoringi, Thoring).^[22]

Kim argues that they were “a Turkic-speaking tribe under Hunnic rule … probably of mixed origin … with possibly a Germanic and Turkic (Hunnic) mixture.” Cahen, too, argued they were Turkic-speaking Huns.

The problem of identification is related to the problem of etymology. Both are related to the question whether the Turcilingi were Germanic or not. The root Turci- has led some scholars to suggest that they were a Turkic-speaking tribe. The -ling suffix is Germanic, denoting members of a line, usually one descended from a common ancestor.^[24] Kim believes the name is a Germanization of Turkic name.