Karlevi Runestone

The Runestone Karlevi ( Karlevistein ) is a runestone on Runsbäcksvägen in Borgholm, on the Swedish island of Öland. The stone was erected about 1000 AD, probably for a Danish warrior and is part of a comprehensive two grave mound grave system. Special philological importance in medieval studies comes to the inscription, since this has been the only runic recording a Skaldenstrophe in Dróttkvætt - meter.

Inscription

The inscription on the Karlevisteins, written in a Danish version of the younger Futhark, consisting of three parts: a prose part Dróttkvætt - verse and a further inscription on the back.

Prose part

The prose part begins in the middle of the stone and runs up and down to the right. He states that the stone was erected in memory of a warrior named Sibbe. The stone was probably originally at the foot of a grave mound, which is confirmed by the Dróttkvætt - verse. The full text reads (translated by Düwel ):

" This stone is set after Sibbe, [ the ] admirable ( good ) son Foldars. And his band of warriors sat on the island of [ this ] dead [ memory ]. "

Dróttkvætt - verse

The stanza also begins at the bottom center of the inscription, but extends to the left. In the following text alliteration and internal rhymes are bold highlighted in red:

Folginn liggr fylgðu hinn 's ( flestr vissi That) mestar dáðir Dolga þruðar Draugr í þeimsi haugi. Mun -at Reid Viðurr Rada rógostarkr í Danmǫrku Endils jǫrmungrundar ørgrandari landi.

Lies hidden, which was followed by (most know that) the greatest Deeds, the tree of Thrud the fighting ( = warrior ) in this hill. It is not car - Odin ( = warrior ) prevail combative, in Denmark Endils huge ground ( = sea ) righteous country

The text seems to make little sense. The poet uses a complicated imagery with so-called kennings, and when the meter Dróttkvætt ( Hofton ). This verse is particularly difficult, as the poet must accommodate some staff and internal rhymes in each line without exceeding the limit of exactly six syllables per line.

Disbanded in today's language it would sound something like this: " The Warrior, which was followed by the biggest acts - most know this - is hidden in this hill. No fight strong and righteous warrior will rule over a country in Denmark. " Both times is meant by the warriors buried Sibbe.

Importance of the two kennings

Dolga þruðar Draugr

• Dolga means " hostility " or "fight"
• Thrud Thrud is the name of the daughter of Thor, the name means " power "
• Draugr means either " ghost " or "tree", this word was often used as a kenning for warriors, as such should be so firmly in the fight like a tree

Composed as a tree of Thrud the battles Kenning is this a euphemism for a warrior, in this case Sibbe.

Endils jǫrmungrundar Reid Viðurr

• Endil is a sea-king, he is, among other things mentioned in the Nafnaþulur the Prose Edda
• Jǫrmungrund means " huge base / bottom "
• Reid called " car" or "ride "
• Viðurr is a name of Odin, translated the " killer"

Taken together Endils is huge floor a description for the sea, in connection with the sea, the carriage is to the ship, and the ship - warrior is finally a euphemism for Sibbe.

Back

On the back is part III of the inscription, consisting of Latin letters in majuscule, which could not be interpreted satisfactorily. They are accompanied by two word separators - a cross and a stylized hammer symbol (see Thor's Hammer ), which indicates the transition from paganism to Christianity, in which the stone is also dated.