Otte, Eraclius (after 1215)
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Romances of Antiquity
Otte, Eraclius (after 1215)
Frey, W. (ed.): Otte, Eraclius. (=GAG 348) Göppingen 1983.
OttEr-1:
Prologue [B only]
Motif References:
OttEr-145:
In the year 603, when Focas is elected Roman emperor, a rich citizen named Miraidos and his wife Cassimia live in Rome and lead a pious Christian life.
Motif References:
W 48 (Ha) Piety
OttEr-207:
The couple has remained childless for seven years and now prays for a child. One night, an angel appears and addresses the sleeping woman, prophesying that she will conceive a son this night who will surpass all children ever born in Rome. He advises the woman to dress in beautiful clothes, spread a carpet on the floor, invite her husband and attend mass the following morning, giving her garments to the poor. The woman awakes as the angel leaves her. Everything happens according to the angel’s predictions.
Motif References:
A 165.2.3 Angels as God’s messengers
V 235 Mortal visited by angel
V 243 Angel answers mortal’s prayer
Z 254 Destined hero
M 301.10 Angels as prophets
M 311.0.3.1 Prophecy: child to be born to childless couple
T 548.1 Child born in answer to prayer
OttEr-340:
The woman gives birth to a boy, who is baptized Eraclius. Prospect of Eraclius’ future deeds: he will become Roman emperor and retrieve the Holy Cross, which has been stolen by the Persian emperor, Cosdras.
Motif References:
V 150 Sacred objects – miscellaneous
OttEr-385:
One day, a sealed letter falls into the cradle of Eraclius, which instructs his parents to give their son a good education and show the letter to the boy when he is able to read. At the age of five, Eraclius already attends school: he is eager to learn and excels over his schoolmates.
Motif References:
J 146.2 (Li) The educated youth
V 201 God
F 883 Extraordinary writings (book, letter)
OttEr-447:
Cassimia hands the letter over to her son in a church and explains to him that God has sent it. The letter exposes also Eraclius’ extraordinary ability: he is able to recognize the true nature of stones, horses and women.
Motif References:
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
OttEr-514:
Eraclius’ father Miraidos dies and Cassimia resolves to spend all her fortune for his soul’s salvation and persuades her son to do the same. Thus, mother and son become impoverished and have to earn their living by manual work.
Motif References:
L 101 Unpromising [clumsy] hero
L 111.3 Widow’s son as hero
L 113.1.7 Slave as hero
V 520 Salvation
OttEr-695:
According to a Roman custom at this time, Cassimia sells her son – with the boy’s consent – to a rich citizen so that he may find a way to escape poverty. At Eraclius’ suggestion, she offers him at the market at the enormous price of 1.000 gold coins.
Motif References:
R 61 Person sold into slavery
P 231 Mother and son
P 600 Customs
OttEr-779:
The emperor’s seneschal happens to be visiting the market for a servant boy for the imperial household. He refuses to buy Eraclius at such a high price until the boy praises his extraordinary ability to discern the true nature of stones, horses and women. Thereupon, the seneschal takes Eraclius with him, while Cassimia enters a nunnery.
Motif References:
P 50.2 Marshall [Court officials]
N 839.1 (Bm) [Court official] Steward as helper
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
OttEr-903:
Eraclius is introduced to Emperor Focas, who resolves to test Eraclius’ assertion of his outstanding ability. He gathers the burghers of Rome and Lateran, ordering them to bring precious stones. He will buy the best stone on Eraclius’ recommendation.
Motif References:
H 1210.2 Quest assigned by king
H 1219 Assignment of quests – miscellaneous
H 1319 Quest for the unique – miscellaneous
H 1576 Test of possession of magic powers
OttEr-969:
On the appointed day, Eraclius is led to the market and, after only a prayer, selects one precious stone from among the others. A poor man who found the stone on the street offers it at the price of six pennies (pfennig). As Eraclius pays 40 Marks, the emperor’s chamberlains rebuke him for this unreasonable purchase, but are forced to render the money.
Motif References:
J 260 Choice between worth and appearance
D 851.1 Magic object purchased
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
OttEr-1128:
The stone is brought to the emperor. Eraclius proposes to verify the stone’s worth: he must be submerged in water with a stone tied to him, holding the jewel in his hands. If he drowns, the stone proves worthless. The emperor follows his suggestion and Eraclius is thrown from a bridge into the river Tiber. He remains under water for a long period (as long as a man needs to walk or ride two miles), as though sleeping and not being harmed in any way. Then, the emperor has Eraclius pulled up and finds him uninjured.
Motif References:
H 240 Other tests of truth
D 1071 Magic jewel (jewels)
D 1344 Magic object gives invulnerability
D 1380.11 Magic jewel protects
D 1845 Invulnerability for limited time
OttEr-1257:
As further proof of the jewel’s power, Eraclius steps into fire without being burned. As people continue to cast aspersion upon him and accuse him of using wizardry, Eraclius persuades the emperor to move into the fire as well. In a third test, Eraclius is hit with a sword without being injured.
Motif References:
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
D 1841.3 Burning magically evaded
OttEr-1399:
The emperor has letters sent to his subjects, ordering them to bring their horses to Rome so that he may buy the best one. He sends Eraclius to select the horse. After a long unsuccessful search, Eraclius perceives a peasant who offers an emaciated and shaggy foal for sale and buys the apparently feeble animal for 60 marks. Again, the emperor’s chamberlains rebuke Eraclius for paying more than demanded for such an unfavorable purchase.
Motif References:
J 260 Choice between worth and appearance
H 1210.2 Quest assigned by king
H 1219 Assignment of quests – miscellaneous
H 1308 Quest for the finest of horses
H 1576 Test of possession of magic powers
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
OttEr-1581:
Eraclius brings the foal to Focas and assures him that after one year it will have grown into a strong and beautiful horse. Focas, though, decides to test it right away by racing it against three of the best mounts. The race takes place on a plain near Monte Alban. Eraclius riding the foal wins the competition. The foal thus proves its power, but is so weak after the race that it has to be killed. Eraclius points out to Focas that he should have waited until the foal grew old enough to be tested.
Motif References:
H 240 Other tests of truth
OttEr-1769:
Focas makes Eraclius one of his confidants and counselors. After some time, he entrusts Eraclius with the task of finding a suitable bride. Letters (composed and written by the imperial scribes) are sent to summon the emperor’s vassals who are supposed to bring with them their beautiful daughters and other female relatives so that the emperor can choose his bride among them.
Motif References:
P 14.15.1 (Old, wise) Counsellors of court [King’s council]
H 1210.2 Quest assigned by king
H 1219 Assignment of quests – miscellaneous
H 1381.3.1.1 Quest for bride for king (prince)
OttEr-1893:
Focas’ vassals and their female companions arrive in Rome and are welcomed by the emperor. The following mor-ning, the ladies dress themselves in their most beautiful garments.
Motif References:
OttEr-2048:
Eraclius is sent to choose the emperor’s bride. One of the ladies is a virtuous virgin, but is mainly concerned with acquiring wealth, another is very beautiful, but in her heart plans to keep her lover even if she is married to Focas. As Eraclius is not able to find a suitable wife for Focas, he dismisses the assembled ladies. On his way back towards Rome, he prays for God’s help and soon afterwards comes across an extraordinarily beautiful girl. As she enters a shabby cabin, he dismounts and, meeting an old woman at the entrance, inquires after the girl. The old woman turns out to be a brothel-keeper and tells Eraclius that the girl is an orphan. Eraclius reveals his identity and announces the girl’s imminent social advancement.
Motif References:
V 59 Prayers answered – miscellaneous
V 201 God
J 260 Choice between worth and appearance
F 575.1 Remarkably beautiful woman
N 817.0.1 God as helper
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
OttEr-2349:
Eraclius returns to the emperor with the tidings that he has found a suitable bride. Focas consents to the recommendation of Eraclius, who predicts that the girl will never act viciously unless Focas provokes such behavior. Eraclius leads the girl to court and Focas arranges for the wedding: Athanais is dressed in beautiful garments and the emperor’s vassals are summoned.
Motif References:
C 169 Tabu connected with marriage – miscellaneous
OttEr-2453:
On the day of the wedding ceremony, the pope consecrates the imperial crowns, garments, and sceptre and 30 pages receive the sword, among them Eraclius. In the wedding night, Focas and Athanais consummate the marriage.
Motif References:
P 13.5 Crowning [and making] of kings
T 136 Accompaniments of wedding
P 634 Feasts
OttEr-2508:
The imperial couple leads a virtuous live and is united in mutual love.
Motif References:
OttEr-2573:
One day, news arrive that the defiant lord of Raben has garrisoned the castle and devastated the march. Thereupon, Focas consults the Roman senators and resolves to wage war on the disloyal vassal.
Motif References:
P 50.0.2 (Bm) Knight who acknowledges no overlord [Allegiance: loyalty and disloyalty of vassals]
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
OttEr-2645:
The evening preceding his departure, Focas imparts to Eraclius his intention to have his wife guarded in order to prevent her from indulging in vices. Though Eraclius severely advises against it, Focas remains convinced of the necessity to keep his wife shut in a tower under the supervision of four of his men and their wives.
Motif References:
R 41.2 Captivity in tower
C 169 Tabu connected with marriage – miscellaneous
T 381.0.2 Wife imprisoned in tower (house) to preserve chastity
J 652 Inattention to warnings
OttEr-2798:
Athanais obeys her husband’s order without hesitation and is shut into the tower. Focas sets out for his military expedition and besieges Raben.
Motif References:
P 557.0.4 (Li) Siege
OttEr-2842:
In the meantime, his wife gets more and more depressed due to her captivity and suffers because of her husband’s lack of trust. She considers her confinement a sinful crime. According to Roman custom, an annual eight-day feast is held in the beginning of May in which the emperor is supposed to take part. Since Focas dwells abroad this year, the empress is so urgently invited to attend that not even her guardians dare to speak against it.
Motif References:
P 13 Customs connected with kings
P 634 Feasts
OttEr-2984:
As Athanais watches a knightly game, she takes notice of a young and handsome noble (called Parides) who excels over his combatants, and unwillingly she falls in love with him. The same happens to Parides and he suffers the symptoms of love-sickness (turns pale, then red, his body starts to tremble, becomes weak).
Motif References:
T 24.5 Boy [girl] turns red and white from love
T 24.1 Love-sickness
T 34 Lovers meet at social gathering
T 233 Wronged wife goes to wronged husband [becomes unfaithful]
OttEr-3186:
Having returned to her lodging in the evening, Athanais suffers from love-sickness as well: her complexion turns pale, she is not able to sleep, refuses food and drink.
Motif References:
T 24.1 Love-sickness
T 24.6 Lover refuses food and drink
OttEr-3222:
As Parides comes home, his mother worries about his health and suggests sending for a woman to say benedictions over him. Morfea, a woman skilled in healing arts, is summoned, examines the ailing youth and diagnoses love-sickness. She offers him her skills in producing love-spells. Parides implores the woman to help him meet Athanais and Morfea promises that he will see her in ten days.
Motif References:
P 424.5 Female physician [healer]
OttEr-3556:
Morfea devises a plan to gain entrance to Athanais: she brings cherries to the castle and is thus admitted to court. She finds the empress confined to bed and sick; she secretly confides to Morfea that she has fallen in love with Parides. Thereupon Morfea discloses the secret of Parides’ love-sickness and is sent back to him with the message of Athanais’ affection. Before she takes her leave, she pretends to give the sick empress some medical advice and announces her return with an ointment.
Motif References:
T 53 Matchmakers
T 99 Love – additional motifs
K 1580 Other deceits connected with adultery
OttEr-3716:
The old woman gives Parides the news that Athanais returns his love and then goes back to the palace, under the pretence of attending to the sick empress. Athanais tells Morfea that she will pass her house on her way to the feast in eight days time and instructs her to hide Parides there and have a fire burning at that time. Morfea receives a precious coat as reward for her service and a ring as love token for Parides.
Motif References:
T 59.1 (Bm) Rings as love tokens
OttEr-3878:
Eight days later, Athanais executes her plan: on her way towards the festival ground, she directs her horse over a slippery stone, the horse stumbles and she falls down onto the muddy street. She pretends to need a fire to warm up, Morfea hurries out of her house to offer help. Athanais is carried into her house and orders her guardians to wait outside since she has to take off her wet clothes until a chamberlain brings clean garments.
Motif References:
F 821 Extraordinary dress (clothes, robe, etc.)
F 829 Extraordinary clothing and ornaments – miscellaneous
K 1524 Adulteress falls in mud at lover’s door
OttEr-4091:
After Athanais’ guardians have left the house, the lady is undressed and meets Parides. The two lovers have intercourse but are separated soon by the chamberlain’s arrival. Athanais is led back to the tower.
Motif References:
P 29.2 Queen commits adultery
T 481 Adultery
OttEr-4206:
After the besieged town has been taken, Focas returns home. On the emperor’s reception in St Peter, Eraclius catches sight of Athanais and discerns her adultery, which he exposes to the emperor, acquitting Athanais of guilt since she has been mistreated and thus acted due to her weak female character.
Motif References:
J 21 Counsels proved wise by experience
D 1819 Magic knowledge – miscellaneous
J 2199 Absurd short-sightedness – miscellaneous
OttEr-4316:
Focas confronts his wife with the accusation and she admits her liaison, ruefully accepting any punishment her husband might consider appropriate, even a capital one. She also strives to free Parides from any blame, but to no avail. Parides is summoned to court and put in chains. He endeavors to take the blame so that Athanais may be pardoned.
Motif References:
OttEr-4427:
As Focas orders the empress and her paramour to be burnt at the stake, Eraclius intervenes and, supported by the imperial counselors, advises Focas to spare the adulterous couple and to get divorced by the pope. The emperor heeds Eraclius’ advice and divorces his wife, who prefers living with Parides in poverty to her wealth and honor as empress.
Motif References:
P 29 Queens – miscellaneous
T 91.7 Unequals in love – miscellaneous
OttEr-4535:
After Focas’ death – he has been betrayed and murdered – Eraclius is elected emperor. In those days, the emperor usually resided in Greece, because Constantin had conquered the Greeks (who are cowards) and founded Constantinople. Story of the foundation of Constantinople: Constantin sent soil from Roman land to sow the ground on the intended territory and settled Roman nobles and their families there. That is why the region is called Romanie. During the following five centuries, the Greeks reigned over the Roman realm, until Charlemagne conquered the realm.
Motif References:
P 16 End of king’s reign
P 17 Succession to the throne
L 165 Lowly boy [man] becomes king
OttEr-4622:
A heathen king named Chosdras has captured Jerusalem and taken the Holy Cross to Persia. There he has it erected behind his throne and under an immense canopy (in the shape of the heavens), where it is worshipped by Christians. The Persians think that the Christians worship their king, not the cross. Chosdras himself poses as a god, producing artificial rain and wind by means of a certain mechanism.
Motif References:
P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
V 130 Other sacred objects connected with worship
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
F 792 Artificial heavens
OttEr-4697:
Eraclius summons a Christian army and invades Persia to reclaim the Holy Cross from the haughty king Cosdras. He pillages the country for half a year before Cosdras is informed of the invasion. The reason for this is that the Persian king kills the bearers of bad news. He charges his son – also named Cosdras – to wage war against the invaders. When he learns that the Christians mock him for his considering being a god and assert that their god is more powerful, Cosdras determines to conquer and subdue the Christian countries. He summons a huge army.
Motif References:
P 14 Particular practices of kings
V 301 (Li) Heathens and Christians
V 350 Conflicts between religions
P 551 Army
F 873.2 Enormous army (camp)
OttEr-4850:
In the meantime, Eraclius has settled his army on the bank of the river Danubius, near the bridge that provides the only passage over the river. 60 heathen troops endeavor to take possession of the bridge, but are repulsed by the Christians. Eraclius encourages his men before they engage in the battle against the heathens. Eventually, Cosdras’ troops withdraw from the bridge.
Motif References:
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
OttEr-4960:
By messenger, Eraclius proposes a single combat between the army leaders to decide the battle. The man who wins with the aid of God should lead both armies (who are then supposed to believe in one god). This agreement is confirmed by the exchanging of hostages and taking oaths.
Motif References:
H 217.1 Decision of victory by single combat between army leaders
OttEr-5057:
The night before the combat, Eraclius prays for God’s help and has the matins sung before daybreak, then the prime and a mass. After that, he is armed with his mail trousers, hauberk, and tabard which is made of white buckram and shows two crosses of red velvet.
Motif References:
V 59 Prayers answered – miscellaneous
P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols – coat-of-arms
OttEr-5127:
Description of Cosdras’ appearance: he has a green pennant; the scabbard is made of silver, hilt and pommel of gold. A golden lion is depicted on his shield, an eagle attached to his helmet.
Motif References:
P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols – coat-of-arms
OttEr-5158:
The single combat between Eraclius and Cosdras takes place on the bridge. In the course of the fighting; both opponents dismount and continue to fight with swords. Eventually, Cosdras has to submit and becomes Eraclius’ vassal in return for being spared, but Eraclius refuses and, having inflicted a severe wound on Cosdras, he is also willing to spare him if he converts to Christianity. Cosdras declines and is beheaded.
Motif References:
W 32 Bravery
V 335.2 (Bm) Refusal to become Christian brings death
V 350 Conflicts between religions
P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
OttEr-5305:
Now that the Persians are conquered, Eraclius’ army moves on towards the residence of the old king Cosdras, who has not yet heard of his son’s death. Eraclius berates the king for having stolen the Holy Cross. As the heathen refuses to convert to Christianity, he is beheaded by Eraclius. He leaves a young son, who is taken captive, baptized and brought to Judea. Eraclius destroys Cosdras’ artificial sky and conveys the Holy Cross to Syria.
Motif References:
R 9 Captivity – miscellaneous
P 14 Particular practices of kings
V 332 Baptism of heathen
V 335.2 (Bm) Refusal to become Christian brings death
V 356 Christian hero (saint) overthrows heathen idols
L 419 Proud ruler (deity) humbled – miscellaneous
OttEr-5361:
Eraclius enters Jerusalem through the same town gate as Christ (speciosa porta) which is opened only on one day in a year (Palm Sunday), but he does not pass it humbly like Christ, riding on an ass, but on a beautiful horse and clad in his precious garments. When he is about to enter the town, the gate closes miraculously and an angel appears above it, rebuking Eraclius for his pride. The emperor dismounts sadly, changes his garments for shabby clothes and weeps with repentance. Thereupon, the gate reopens and Eraclius carries the cross into town.
Motif References:
Q 36 Reward for repentance
Q 66 Humility rewarded
Q 149 Miraculous or magic reward – miscellaneous
A 165.2.3 Angels as God’s messengers
V 245 Angel punishes mortal [dwarf]
V 315.1 Power of repentance
Q 331 Pride punished
L 419 Proud ruler (deity) humbled – miscellaneous
Q 523 Humiliating penances
F 776 Extraordinary gate
OttEr-5434:
Eraclius waged war in Persia for six years, then, in the seventh, he retrieved the Holy Cross. He also took the martyr Anastasius with him from Persia, who had once been a magician, then converted and taught the Christian faith. For this, he was tortured along with some 70 others. Whoever is possessed of the devil and wears the tunic of this saint for some time is delivered from the evil and cured.
Motif References:
V 144 Belief in miraculous powers of sacred relics
V 221.0.1 Relics of saint cure disease [exorcise]
V 229 Saints – miscellaneous
G 303.16.14 The devil exorcised
V 463 Religious martyrdom
D 1296 Sacred relic[s] as [part of] magic object
D 2176 Exorcising by magic
OttEr-5470:
It is in these days that Machmet is born, a godless man, whose father is a heathen, the mother a Jewess. [Addition in C: He was elected king in Africa and taught that there are drinks, food and sexual relations in paradise. Therefore, the simple-minded people considered him to be the Messiah and a god.] At the same time, a king called Tagebreht converts the Franks, Swabians and Bavarians and subdues Saxony and Hungary.
Motif References:
P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
V 210 Religious founders
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
OttEr-5504:
A heretic named Seryus induces Eraclius to renounce true Christian faith and follow his heresy. One day, Eraclius reads in the stars that he will have to fight against an army of people who are circumcised according to the old covenant. He falsely interprets the aggressors to be Jews; the Aggareni practice circumcision like the Jews. Eraclius is eager to take revenge and summons an army from the Ismaelites [C: all wearing golden hauberks], thus opening a door [C: Caspias portas] to a tribe that Alexander the Great had once enclosed. God is opposed to this enterprise and causes the death of 70,000 [C: 52,000] soldiers. [Variant in C: King Tagebreht induces Eraclius to follow a heretical doctrine. The emperor has a son with his niece who is called Erodianus and a legitimate son with his wife, named Constantius. The horoscope prompts him to order all Jews to be baptized and asks Tagebreht to do the same.]
Motif References:
P 19 Other motifs connected with kings
Q 225.1 Heresy punished
M 302.4.2 (Bm) Future read in stars
V 320 Heretics
V 332 Baptism of heathen
M 356 Prophecies concerning destiny of country
M 370 Vain attempts to escape fulfillment of prophecy
Q 558 Mysterious death as punishment
P 720 Population
F 776 Extraordinary gate
F 824 Extraordinary [part of] armor
F 873 Extraordinary army
D 1311.6.4 Divination by stars
D 1812.3 Means of learning future
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