Iceland review - 2013, Síða 52

50 ICELAND REVIEW
whatever is incorrect
in these writings, it
is vital to adhere
to that which is
more truthful.”
These words of Ari the Learned, often called
Iceland’s first chronicler, have been a popular
maxim in works about Icelandic history. A
chieftain and scholar, Ari wrote the Book of
Icelanders in the 12th century, a short overview
of the island’s history, including the founda-
tion of the nationwide parliament (Alþingi),
the discovery of territories west of Iceland,
and the peaceful Christianization of the
country. Ari also composed or had a hand in
the original making of the Book of Settlements,
a list of Iceland’s settlers—their lineage,
where they came from and where they built
their new homes.

AuTHoRIzEd HISToRIES
But was it all true, or at least “that which
is more truthful?” Ari wrote the Book of
Icelanders for the bishops of Iceland and
his caveat about incorrectness and truth-
fulness may indeed have been an oblique
reference to an inevitable bias in the work.
After all, it hails the alleged achievements
and wisdom of the chieftains and clergy,
the ruling class of the day. Maybe he knew
better but also what was expected of him.
It would of course be unfair and anach-
ronistic to measure ancient writings by
modern academic standards about objec-
tivity and detachment. Still, we should
keep in mind, maintaining our focus on
Ari the Learned, that his Book of Icelanders
was commissioned or authorized, to use
more T
rUTH
fU
l

H
isTo
ry,
ple
Ase
The history of Iceland is full of
interesting events, peoples,
developments—and misconceptions
or myths. Ever since the first centuries
of settlement there has been a tendency to
portray the Icelanders’ past in a positive light.
In the immediate years before the dramatic
collapse of the Icelandic banking system in 2008,
the temptation to depict Icelanders as the true heirs
of Vikings, voyagers, poets and entrepreneurs was
particularly strong. Historian Guðni Th. Jóhannesson
looks at the (ab)use of history, hubris, and the
irrelevance of academic historians.
PHOTOS By PÁll STEfÁNSSoN