Gunther’s Head and Hagen’s Heart. Royal Sacrifice in the Lay of Nibelungs

Abstract

The article deals with the final part of the German epic Nibelungenlied to learn the real significance, cultural and ideological context of these episodes. The author analyzes literary and anthropological theories, as well as archaeological finds to conclude that royal deaths described in the epic reflect the ancient practice of human sacrifice.

Keywords

• the nibelungenlied
• the elder edda
• interpretative level
• human sacrifice
• intra-communal violence