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Kriwe By Matthäus Prätorius
''Kriwe Kriwaito'' (, ) or simply ''Kriwe'' (, ) was the chief priest in the old Baltic religion. Known primarily from the dubious 16th-century writings of Simon Grunau, the concept of ''kriwe'' became popular during the times of romantic nationalism. However, lack of reliable written evidence has led some researchers to question whether such pagan priest actually existed. The title was adopted by Romuva, the neo-pagan movement in Lithuania, when Jonas Trinkūnas was officially installed as ''krivių krivaitis'' in October 2002. Written sources Peter of Dusburg wrote about ''kriwe'' in his chronicle ''Chronicon terrae Prussiae'' finished in 1326. According to him, ''kriwe'' lived in Romuva and was respected as a Catholic pope not only by the Old Prussians but also by other Baltic tribes. His envoys carried a certain rod (Latin: ''baculum'') or another symbol and commanded respect both from the nobles and the paupers. ''Kriwe'' could see dead people and describe them to the rela ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Baltic Religion
Baltic mythology is the body of mythology of the Baltic peoples stemming from Baltic paganism and continuing after Christianization and into Baltic folklore. History Baltic mythology ultimately stems from Proto-Indo-European mythology. The Baltic region was one of the last regions of Europe to be Christianized, a process that began in the 15th century and continued for at least a century afterward. While no native texts survive detailing the mythology of the Baltic peoples during the pagan period, knowledge of such beliefs may be gained from Roman and German chronicles, from later folklore, from etymology and from the reconstructions of comparative mythology.Puhvel (1989:222-229). While the early chronicles (14th and 15th century) were largely the product of missionaries who sought to eradicate the native paganism of the Baltic peoples, rich material survives into Baltic folklore. This material has been of particular value in Indo-European studies as, like the Baltic languages, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Self-immolation
Self-immolation is the act of setting oneself on fire. It is mostly done for political or religious reasons, often as a form of protest or in acts of martyrdom, and known for its disturbing and violent nature. Etymology The English word '' immolation'' originally meant (1534) "killing a sacrificial victim; sacrifice" and came to figuratively mean (1690) "destruction, especially by fire". Its etymology was from Latin "to sprinkle with sacrificial meal ( mola salsa); to sacrifice" in ancient Roman religion. In the Mewar region of India, women practiced a form of self-immolation called '' Jauhar'' to avoid being raped by invading armies. Effects Self-immolators frequently use accelerants before igniting themselves. This, combined with the self-immolators' refusal to protect themselves, can produce hotter flames and deeper, more extensive burns. Self-immolation has been described as excruciatingly painful. Later the burns become severe, nerves are burnt and the self-immolat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jonas Bretkūnas
Jonas Bretkūnas, Johann(es) Bretke, also known as Bretkus (born 1536 in Bammeln near Friedland – 1602 Königsberg was a Lutheran pastor and was one of the best known developers of the written Lithuanian language. He translated the Bible into Lithuanian, was the author of twelve Lithuanian books, and a historian as well. Biography Jonas Bretkūnas, Johann(es) Bretke was born in Bammeln (now in Pravdinsky District) in the Duchy of Prussia (a fief of Poland) in 1536. His father was German (according to Gerullis) or Germanized Prussian, and his mother from a native Prussian family. The language spoken in the area was primarily German, while Jonas Bretkūnas' mother tongues were Old Prussian and Lithuanian. Lithuanian language was also used in state chancellery as well. Different people, who had come to Lutheran Prussia did at the time, because the Lutherans had promised to preach in languages people understood rather than Latin. The Duke of Prussia therefore arranged for the educ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Seasons (poem)
The Seasons () is the first Lithuanian language, Lithuanian poetry, poem written by Kristijonas Donelaitis around 1765–1775. It is in quantitative dactylic hexameters as often used for Latin and Ancient Greek poetry. It was published as "''Das Jahr''" in Königsberg, 1818 in poetry, 1818 by Ludwig Rhesa, who also named the poem and selected the arrangement of the parts. The German translation was included in the first edition of the poem. The book was dedicated to Wilhelm von Humboldt. The poem is considered a masterpiece of early Lithuanian literature. Synopsis The poem consists of 4 parts: "Spring Joys" (''Pavasario linksmybės''), "Summer Toils" (''Vasaros darbai''), "Autumn Boons" (''Rudenio gėrybės''), and "Winter Cares" ''(Žiemos rūpesčiai)''. In these 4 idylls, totaling 2997 hexameters, are depicted the natural setting of Lithuania Minor, its people, their work, and their customs. The poem depicts a realistic portrayal of Lietuvninks, Lietuvininkai (Prussian Lithua ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kristijonas Donelaitis
Kristijonas Donelaitis (; 1 January 1714 – 18 February 1780) was a Prussian Lithuanian poet and Lutheran pastor. He lived and worked in Lithuania Minor, a territory in the Kingdom of Prussia, that had a sizable Lithuanian-speaking minority. He wrote the first classic Lithuanian language poem, '' The Seasons'' (), which became one of the principal works of Lithuanian poetry. The poem, a classic work of Lithuanian literature, depicts everyday life of Lithuanian peasants, their struggle with serfdom, and the annual cycle of life. Biography Early life Donelaitis was born at Lasdinehlen estate (now Gusevsky District) near Gumbinnen, Prussia. His parents were free peasants who owned the land that they cultivated. His father died in 1720, leaving seven children (four sons and three daughters). One of his three brothers, Friedrich, became a goldsmith in Königsberg. Another brother, Michael, inherited the father's farm. His third brother, Adam, became a blacksmith and innkeeper. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matthäus Prätorius
Matthäus Prätorius (, ; ) was a Protestant pastor in the Duchy of Prussia and later a Roman Catholic priest in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He is best known as the author of ''Deliciae Prussicae, oder Preussische Schaubühne'' (Prussian Delights, or Prussian Theater), a historical and ethnographic work about Old Prussia. By focusing on cultural history, this large two-volume work provides an independent and original outlook on Prussian culture and history. The work includes examples of the customs and folklore of the locals which modern researchers particularly value. ''Deliciae Prussicae'' has not been published. In 1998, the Lithuanian Institute of History began publishing the full work in original German and Lithuanian translation. Biography Early life and education The date of birth of Prätorius is unknown but is estimated to be . It is believed that he was born in Memel (Klaipėda) as his father was a deacon in Memel and later in life he signed some of his work ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kyrios
''Kyrios'' or ''kurios'' () is a Greek word that is usually translated as "lord" or "master". It is used in the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament) about 7000 times, in particular translating the name YHWH (the Tetragrammaton), and it appears in the Koine Greek New Testament about 740 times, usually referring to Jesus.''The Christology of the New Testament'' by Oscar Cullmann 1959 pages 234-23/ref> Classical Greece In Classical Athens, the word ''kyrios'' referred to the head of the household, who was responsible for his wife, children, and any unmarried female relatives. It was the responsibility of the ''kyrios'' to arrange the marriages of his female relatives, provide their dowries, represent them in court, if necessary, and deal with any economic transactions they were involved in worth more than a '' medimnos'' of barley. When an Athenian woman married, her husband became her new ''kyrios''. The existence of the system of ''kyrio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lithuanian Chronicles
The Lithuanian Chronicles (; also called the Belarusian-Lithuanian Chronicles) are three redactions of chronicles compiled in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. All redactions were written in the Ruthenian language and served the needs of Lithuanian patriotism. The first edition, compiled in the 1420s, glorified Vytautas the Great and supported his side in power struggles. The second redaction, prepared in the first half of the 16th century, started the myth of Lithuanian Roman origin: it gave a fanciful genealogy of Palemon, a noble from the Roman Empire who founded the Grand Duchy. This noble origin of Lithuanians was important in cultural rivalry with the Kingdom of Poland. The third redaction, known as the ''Bychowiec Chronicle'', elaborated even further on the legend, but also provided some useful information about the second half of the 15th century. The three redactions, the first known historical accounts produced within the Grand Duchy, gave rise to the historiography of Lithuani ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iron Wolf (character)
The Iron Wolf () is a mythical character from a medieval legend of the founding of Vilnius, the capital city of the old Grand Duchy of Lithuania and modern Republic of Lithuania. First found in the Lithuanian Chronicles, the legend shares certain similarities with the Capitoline Wolf and possibly reflected Lithuanian desire to showcase their legendary origins from the Roman Empire (see the Palemonids). The legend became popular during the era of Romantic nationalism. Today Iron Wolf is one of the symbols of Vilnius and is used by sports teams, Lithuanian military, scouting organizations, and others. Legend According to the legend, Grand Duke Gediminas (ca. 1275 – 1341) was hunting in the sacred forest near the Valley of Šventaragis, near where Vilnia River flows into the Neris River. Tired after the successful hunt of an aurochs, the Grand Duke settled in for the night. He fell soundly asleep and dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf standing on top a hill and howling as strong and loud ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gediminas
Gediminas ( – December 1341) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death in 1341. He is considered the founder of Lithuania's capital Vilnius (see: Iron Wolf legend). During his reign, he brought under his rule lands from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. The Gediminids dynasty he founded and which is named after him came to rule over Poland, Hungary and Bohemia. Biography Origin Gediminas was born in about 1275. Because written sources of the era are scarce, Gediminas' ancestry, early life, and assumption of the title of Grand Duke in ca. 1316 are obscure and continue to be the subject of scholarly debate. Various theories have claimed that Gediminas was either his predecessor Grand Duke Vytenis' son, his brother, his cousin, or his hostler. For several centuries only two versions of his origins circulated. Chronicles — written long after Gediminas' death by the Teutonic Knights, a long-standing enemy of Lithuania — claimed that Gediminas was a host ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lizdeika
Lizdeika was a semi-legendary pagan priest (''kriwe, krivis'') in 14th-century Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He is associated with the legend of founding of Vilnius recorded in the 16th-century Lithuanian Chronicles. The legend was popularized by 19th-century romantic nationalism. Legends According to the legend first recorded in the Bychowiec Chronicle, Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas went hunting in the Šventaragis' Valley, fell asleep, and dreamed of a huge howling Iron Wolf (character), Iron Wolf. Lizdeika interpreted the dream to mean that a city, which would become the Lithuanian capital, should be founded at the location. The legend probably originated in the early 16th century. Somewhat resembling the legend of Romulus and Remus, it probably reflects the contemporary fashionable theories among the Lithuanian nobility about their Latin origin. The chronicle also mentioned that Lizdeika was the chief pagan priest (''Kriwe Kriwaito'') and that he was found in an eagle's nest ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maciej Stryjkowski
Maciej Stryjkowski (also referred to as Strykowski and Strycovius;Nowa encyklopedia powszechna PWN. t. 6, 1997 – ) was a Polish historian, writer and a poet, known as the author of ''Chronicle of Poland, Lithuania, Samogitia and all of Ruthenia'' (1582). The work is generally considered to be the first printed book on the history of Lithuania, history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Biography Maciej Stryjkowski was born around 1547 in Stryków, a town in the Rawa Voivodeship in the Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569), Kingdom of Poland. He graduated from a local school in the town of Brzeziny, after which he joined the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army. He served in a garrison in Vitebsk under Alexander Guagnini. He was a Polish people, Pole, but spent most of his life in the Grand Duchy, initially as a soldier. Around 1573, at the age of roughly 25, he retired from active service and became a protégé of Merkelis Giedraitis, the bishop of Samogitia. Eventually, Stryjkowski became a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
