Heruli

The Heruli were a group of people who lived a long time ago, between the third and sixth centuries AD. They were one of the smaller groups called Germanic tribes.

One group of Heruli made a small kingdom near the Middle Danube River, close to where Lower Austria is today. This happened after the empire of Attila the Hun ended. Later, the kingdom was taken over by the Lombards around the years 493 to 511.

Many Heruli moved to other places, like Scandinavia and the area around Belgrade. Some historians think the Heruli may have started near the Sea of Azov much earlier, and joined big raids into Roman lands. Others believe they began in Scandinavia.

The Heruli were known for being strong soldiers and fought in many battles across Europe, from the Balkans to Gaul and even in Italy. Over time, the Heruli slowly disappeared as they mixed into other groups and new powers, like the Pannonian Avars, took control of their lands.

Classification

The Heruli were first written about by Roman writers in the 3rd century AD. They were called "Scythians," like the Goths and other tribes. By the 5th century, many groups, including the Goths, had moved west and lived near the Roman empire. In the 6th century, Roman writers sometimes grouped people together as "Gothic," and the Heruli were often part of this group. Today, historians usually believe the Heruli were a Germanic people. They might have spoken an East Germanic language that was similar to Gothic.

Name

The Heruli can also be called Eruli, Heruls, Herules, or Herulians. Their name may come from a Greek word for swamps. It could also be linked to an old Germanic word for a military leader. Some people have thought the Heruli were special warrior groups, but this is not proven.

Language

We believe the Heruli spoke a Germanic language. We mostly know this from the names of their leaders, which can be hard to understand. Some names sound Germanic, while others do not. Because of this, scholars debate whether they spoke an East Germanic language like Gothic, or perhaps a North Germanic language from Scandinavia.

History

Possible Scandinavian origins

The Heruli lived near the Sea of Azov and later along the Middle Danube. Many think they came from Scandinavia. Some believe they moved from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea before the third century. Their neighbors, the Goths and Rugii, may have also come from the southern Baltic coast.

The historian Jordanes wrote that the Goths and Gepids came from Scandinavia. He said the Heruli had been driven out of Scandinavia by the Danes. This might mean the Heruli came from Denmark or southern Sweden long ago. The historian Procopius wrote that after their kingdom was destroyed, some Heruli moved to Scandinavia and became neighbors of the Gauts.

On the Pontic-Caspian steppe

In the late 260s and early 270s, Heruli and other groups raided the Balkans and Aegean Sea. They took control of cities along the Black Sea, including Byzantion (near modern Istanbul), and went as far as Greece and Asia Minor. They attacked cities like Athens, Corinth, and Olympia.

In 268, the Roman general Gallienus defeated Heruli at the river Nestos. One Heruli leader, Naulobatus, was the first known barbarian to receive Roman imperial honors. Later, large groups of Heruli and others raided the eastern Mediterranean. Some returned to the Crimea, while others continued raiding until 276.

4th century

Heruli appeared in western Europe before the time of Attila the Hun. They were both raiders and soldiers for the Romans. They were already in the Western Roman Empire by the late fourth century, possibly settled between Passau and Vienna. Records show Heruli fighting for Rome against enemies like the Alamanni near the Rhine.

5th century

By 400, the Heruli and other peoples had moved into the Middle Danube region under the Hunnic empire of Attila. After Attila’s death in 453, the Heruli established a kingdom north of the Danube. They were defeated by the Lombards between 493 and 511. Many Heruli moved to Scandinavia or the region near modern Belgrade.

6th century

After their kingdom was destroyed, the Heruli moved to areas near the Gepids and later into the Eastern Roman Empire. Some settled near Belgrade, where they were welcomed by Emperor Anastasius. Others went to Scandinavia. Heruli soldiers served in Roman armies, fighting in places like Georgia, Carthage, and Italy. By the mid-540s, the Heruli in the Balkans rebelled against Roman rule but were defeated. The last known Heruli leader, Sinduald, was executed in 567.

Representations in classical and early literature

Roman and Greek writers described the Heruli as strong people who were not very disciplined. They were known for their physical strength and were often mentioned in stories about battles.

One writer, Mamertinus, talked about the Heruli attacking a place called Gaul and said they were very powerful. Another writer, Jordanes, said that the Heruli were once the tallest people in a place called Scandinavia. He also mentioned that they were known for being fast runners and were used as soldiers in battles.

A writer named Procopius, who met the Heruli, said they had many unusual customs. He described them as pagans. Over time, the Heruli converted to Christianity.