Epithets of Gods and Heroes in Old Germanic and beyond – A Comparative Study on their Conceptualization, Memorization and Tradition

Project Information

Epithets

Grant agreement ID: 101026280

DOI

10.3030/101026280

Project closed

EC signature date 9 March 2021

Start date 1 July 2021

End date 30 September 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 328 968,00

EU contribution

€ 328 968,00

Coordinated by

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Epithets (Epithets of Gods and Heroes in Old Germanic and beyond – A Comparative Study on their Conceptualization, Memorization and Tradition)

Reporting period: 2021-07-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project "Epithets" examined the epithets of heroic and divine figures in Old-Germanic poetry, aiming for comparison with those in Indo-European traditions like Vedic Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. By analyzing texts in Old English, Old High German, Middle High German, Old Saxon, and Old Norse, the project created a searchable database with over 8,000 entries, including original epithets, translations, references, and semantic categories such as social relations, age, appearance, and heroic traits.
The database represents a key achievement, offering valuable insights into naming practices and their cultural significance in ancient Germanic societies. The work highlights the values and worldviews embedded in epithets, enhancing our understanding of shared linguistic and cultural features across Indo-European traditions. The semantic categories also open avenues for interdisciplinary research in comparative mythology, semantics, and poetics.
Four objectives guided the project:
1. Identifying and collecting epithets in Old-Germanic texts.
2. Developing a typology for categorizing epithets by semantic fields.
3. Comparing Old-Germanic epithets with Indo-European traditions, though only partially realized due to the absence of comparable databases.
4. Exploring Proto-Indo-European heritage in epithet usage, with significant groundwork laid for future research.
All work packages were completed, with minor adjustments in research focus. Key milestones included a conference on Early Germanic Poetics and Religion (Copenhagen, 2023), which exceeded expectations in impact. Dissemination continues through forthcoming publications and the open-access database.
This project provides a comprehensive resource for studying Old-Germanic epithets, fostering new insights into the cultural and linguistic history of Germanic and Indo-European societies.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project focused on identifying and analyzing epithets in Old-Germanic poetry, creating a comprehensive database of epithets from texts in Old English, Old High German, Middle High German, Old Saxon, Old Swedish, and Old Norse. These were manually extracted from texts such as Beowulf, Song of the Nibelungs, and Edda. The database includes original epithets, English translations, references, and semantic categorization, enabling detailed exploration across fields like social relations, age, appearance, character traits, and mythological references.
A typology of epithets was developed, categorizing them semantically to highlight their roles in heroic and mythological contexts. The analysis emphasized attributes such as heroic and social traits. While the comparative study with Vedic Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin epithets was only partially realized due to the lack of equivalent databases, initial groundwork was laid for future comparative studies.
The project also examined whether these epithets reflect Proto-Indo-European heritage or broader naming traditions. Though not fully implemented, findings provide insights into continuity across cultures, offering a foundation for further research.
Key deliverables included:
1. A database of Old-Germanic epithets with semantic typologies.
2. Advances in theoretical frameworks, integrating comparative mythology and semantics.
3. Dissemination through conferences, notably an international event on Early Germanic Poetics and Religion in Copenhagen (2023).
The principal outcome is a digital database presenting Old-Germanic epithets for heroes, gods, and mythological beings, paired with a robust analysis that advances understanding of early Germanic poetics and naming traditions.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has made significant progress beyond the state of the art by creating a comprehensive, searchable database of Old-Germanic epithets, which is the first of its kind. This resource provides unparalleled access to detailed semantic categorization, enabling comprehensive analysis of Old-Germanic poetry and its connections to other Indo-European traditions. The project is laying the groundwork for future comparative studies, opening new avenues for understanding ancient cultures and languages.

The project has the potential to have a significant socio-economic impact. It supports interdisciplinary research, enhances educational resources, and fosters global academic collaboration. Its open-access nature ensures widespread dissemination of knowledge, enabling researchers, educators, and the public to engage with ancient texts and linguistic studies. The wider societal implications include a deeper appreciation of cultural heritage, identity, and the role of language in shaping human history, which can promote greater cultural understanding and social cohesion in today's globalized world.

Once the database is fully online, it will significantly enhance the state of the art in the field of Old-Germanic studies and comparative linguistics. By providing a comprehensive, searchable resource of epithets, it will offer scholars a powerful tool for in-depth analysis and comparison across various epithet traditions. The database will set a new standard for research in this area, enabling more precise and widespread exploration of linguistic, cultural, and mythological connections.

Although the project has alreadty passed its official conclusion, finalizing work on the database will continue beyond the end of the funding period. I am committed to completing and refining the resource, with the goal of completing all aspects of the project by the end of the year. This ongoing effort reflects my dedication to ensuring the database’s accuracy, completeness, and long-term impact in advancing research.