Thidriks saga

The Thidriks saga is a 13th-century Icelandic prose saga that tells the heroic exploits of Dietrich von Bern, a figure derived from the historical Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great. The saga details Dietrich's exile from his kingdom of Bern (Verona) by Ermenrich (Ermanaric) and his subsequent stay at the court of Etzel (Attila). Eventually, Dietrich returns with a Hunnish army to defeat Ermenrich.1

The saga is part of a larger body of Germanic legend and has connections to other works like the Middle High German epic Nibelungenlied. Dietrich is often portrayed as a wise and just ruler, contrasting with the tyrannical Ermenrich. The stories within the Thidriks saga include many adventures that are not directly based on the historical Theodoric's life. Icelandic literature, including sagas like this, provides valuable insights into early Germanic peoples and their traditions.12