Ari Þorgilsson
Encyclopedia
Ari Þorgilsson was Iceland
's most prominent medieval chronicler. He is the author of Íslendingabók
, which details the histories of the various families who settled Iceland. He is typically referred to as Ari the Wise (Ari hinn fróði), and according to Snorri Sturluson
was the first to write history in Norse
.
Ari was a part of the Haukdælir
family clan and studied in the school in Haukadalur
as a student of Teitur Ísleifsson (the son of Ísleifur Gissurarson
, first bishop of Iceland). There he became acquainted with Classical education
. His writings clearly indicate that he was familiar with Latin
chronicler traditions, but at the same time he is widely regarded as excelling in the Icelandic oral storytelling tradition.
It is believed that Ari later became a Christian
priest in Staður by Ölduhryggur, now known as Staðastaður, but otherwise little is known about his life, despite the fact that he is one of the very few medieval writers who wrote down his family history.
Íslendingabók is the only work that is absolutely proven to have been written by him, but he is accredited with numerous articles of knowledge and is believed to have had a major part in the writing of Landnámabók
, which chronicles the settlement of Iceland.
Ari was early on regarded as an important author. In Iceland's First Grammatical Treatise (Icelandic: Fyrsta málfræðiritgerðin), written around 1160 AD, he is referred to with respect as an exceptional man, since the tradition of writing was not firmly established at the time.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
's most prominent medieval chronicler. He is the author of Íslendingabók
Íslendingabók
Íslendingabók, Libellus Islandorum or The Book of Icelanders is an historical work dealing with early Icelandic history. The author was an Icelandic priest, Ari Þorgilsson, working in the early 12th century. The work originally existed in two different versions but only the younger one has come...
, which details the histories of the various families who settled Iceland. He is typically referred to as Ari the Wise (Ari hinn fróði), and according to Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
was the first to write history in Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
.
Ari was a part of the Haukdælir
Haukdælir
The Haukdælir were one of the family clans who controlled medieval Iceland during the period of the Icelandic Commonwealth. Their name is derived from Haukadalur . The Haukdælir traced their lineage to Ketilbjörn Ketilsson, who settled on land in Grímsnes and received a Goðorð in Árnesþing...
family clan and studied in the school in Haukadalur
Haukadalur
-Haukadalur, Golden Circle:This valley lies to the north of the Laugarvatn in the south of Iceland at .There are to be seen some of the most famous sights of the island: the geysers and other geothermal features which have developed on Laugarfjall rhyolitic dome. The biggest geysers of Haukadalur...
as a student of Teitur Ísleifsson (the son of Ísleifur Gissurarson
Ísleifur Gissurarson
Ísleifur Gissurarson , an Icelandic clergyman, became the first bishop of Iceland, following the adoption of Christianity in 1000 AD.His parents were Gissur Teitsson and Þórdís Þóroddsdóttir...
, first bishop of Iceland). There he became acquainted with Classical education
Classical education movement
The Classical education movement advocates a form of education based in the traditions of Western culture, with a particular focus on education as understood and taught in the Middle Ages. The curricula and pedagogy of classical education was first developed during the Middle Ages by Martianus...
. His writings clearly indicate that he was familiar with Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
chronicler traditions, but at the same time he is widely regarded as excelling in the Icelandic oral storytelling tradition.
It is believed that Ari later became a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
priest in Staður by Ölduhryggur, now known as Staðastaður, but otherwise little is known about his life, despite the fact that he is one of the very few medieval writers who wrote down his family history.
Íslendingabók is the only work that is absolutely proven to have been written by him, but he is accredited with numerous articles of knowledge and is believed to have had a major part in the writing of Landnámabók
Landnámabók
Landnámabók , often shortened to Landnáma, is a medieval Icelandic written work describing in considerable detail the settlement of Iceland by the Norse in the 9th and 10th centuries AD.-Landnáma:...
, which chronicles the settlement of Iceland.
Ari was early on regarded as an important author. In Iceland's First Grammatical Treatise (Icelandic: Fyrsta málfræðiritgerðin), written around 1160 AD, he is referred to with respect as an exceptional man, since the tradition of writing was not firmly established at the time.