Gu(n)thuríkos, ein weiterer Namensfund im Wiener Dexipp

Abstrakt

This paper presents considerations concerning the identity and career of the Gothic military leader Gou(n)thourikos, who appears in the Scythica Vindobonensia (the Vienna Dexippus palimpsest), newly deciphered fragments on the „Scythian“ Wars of the third century. It is argued that this figure is not identical with the Gunthericus mentioned by Jordanes but a hitherto unattested character: this can be inferred by the reference to his recall from exile, which our knowledge of Gothic and Germanic parallels strongly suggests was caused by a power struggle rather than a military defeat. Moreover, the author questions the historicity of Jordanes’ report on Gunthericus. In conclusion, he outlines the impact of the new discovery and the directions scholarship may take in its wake.