Saga - 1999, Síða 217

ÞJÓÐIR OG KYNÞÆTTIR Á FYRSTU ÖLDUM ÍSLANDSBYGGÐAR 215
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Summary
Tacitus's statement about the homogeneity of the Germanic tribes - wild
blue eyes, reddish hair, and huge frames - cited in the beginning of this
article, presupposes that Romans exhibited greater physical variety.
Inspired by the story of Geirmundur and Hámundur, mythical twin sons
°f a Norwegian king, who were infamous for their dark skin and who
were supposed to have been among the first settlers of Iceland, the article
examines the truthfulness of Tacitus's statement concerning the Northern
Germanic tribes. It examines the physical characteristics of ancient Nor-
wegians and explores the mingling of Norwegians and Celts m Iceland
during the period of settlement and beyond. The two groups considered
each others' physical appearance sufficiently different to warrant the
epithets „white" and „black" respectively. It probes the problems of self-
Perception, awareness of ,the other', naming patterns, and co-operation
betvveen the two groups, including marital and reproductive strategies.
Although not in accordance with Nordic standards of beauty, features
°f dark hair, skin, and eyes are found beyond the story of the twin boys,
both among ordinary humans and, more frequently, associated with
native, but supernatural creatures such as trolls and giants. These features
became more common in Iceland, however, as blond Norwegians mingl-
ed with Celts from the Western Islands of the North Atlantic who