Runes

There were found about 5000 runic inscriptions, of which 3000 were found in Sweden. The most ancient monuments runic letters were found in Denmark, all they found was about 500 runic inscriptions. Approximately 600 runic inscriptions have been found in Norway, about 140 inscriptions have been found in the British Isles, about 60 - in Greenland, about 70 in Iceland. Several inscriptions have been found in Russia, Latvia, Ukraine, Germany and Austria. Runic inscriptions have been found also in France, Greece, Romania, Turkey, the Netherlands.

One of the earliest runic inscriptions is considered to be an inscription on the crest of bone, preserved in a bog on the Danish island of Funen. The inscription translates as harja (name or epithet) dated the 2 nd half of II century. Until recently, the thought that rune`s letter appeared in the III century, but recent findings indicate that the runes have been used in the I century Mr. e.

A large number of runic inscriptions carved on stones, also known brakteaty, is a round gold plate, initially imitated Roman medallions. There are several runic manuscripts - «Codex Runicus», «Fasti Danici», «Cotton Domitian», «Codex Salisburgensis, 140». Very interesting runic inscriptions in the Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, as well as marble lion from the Athens port of Piraeus, which is covered with a shoulder runic inscriptions. In 1687 the sculpture was brought to Venice as a trophy. In Kensington in Minnesota (USA) in 1898 was found runic stone, but the question of its authenticity remains open.

Runic inscriptions cut or cut on metal, wood, stone - the ancient Germanic art of woodcarving was a high level. Runic inscriptions have been very different lines: met various magical inscriptions and addresses to the gods, but for most part, written runami various memorial inscriptions. A striking example is a runic stone from the river, praising King Tordika, who lived in the VI century, but the first line of the inscription read «About Vemude say these runes. Varin resigned in honor of their fallen son », which can talk about the importance of memorial stones.

Obituaries serves and the other runic stone from Norway. It reads: «Engle erected this stone in memory of his son Toralde, who died in Vitaholme between Ustaholmom and Gardarom».

Other runic monuments valor praised the Vikings, returned from a trip. Here's a typical inscription on stone from the city of Stockholm by Ash: «runes carved on the orders Ragnvalda. He was in Greece led forces ». Runic stones, such as a stone of Hillerse (Sweden), speaking on the exclusive rights of women in Germans - a woman's right to own property. Runami cut the names of the holder arms, the artist. But the well-known and runic inscriptions domestic nature. A large number of runic inscriptions are brakteaty, also known runic calendars.