Zu Otachar im Hildebrandslied

Abstract

Apart from other details within the Hildebrandslied, writing a th occurs only once. This is the case with the name of Dietrich in miti theotrihhe (line 19). It remains the only th throughout the poem. In the Latin sources the name of Theoderich is regularly written as Theodericus or Theodoricus. This fact must have been known to the writer. For this reason, he wrote Th in order to continue with OHG -eotrihh- (line 19). Two times he wrote the name with OHG D (lines 23 and 26). The fight between Theoderich and Odoacar for the domination of Italy was a well-known fact and therefore also was known to the writer as is proved by his writing of Th. He felt he had to correct a mistake in the Hildebrandslied. This is why he removed Ermenrich and inserted the correct Otacher in his place. Driving Dietrich out of Italy into exile thus became the third infamous deed of Ermenrich, the second been the hanging of the pair of nephews, called the Harlunge, the first the killing of his only son Friderich. Also, the problem of the apparent -i-stems asckim, scurim, and sciltim is tackled.