Berig

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Berig was according to Jordanes the king who led the Goths on three ships from Scandza (Scandinavia) to Gothiscandza (the Vistula Basin). They settled and then attacked the Rugians who lived on the shore and drove them away from their homes, subsequently winning a battle against the Vandals. According to Jordanes, this happened around 1490 B.C.

Berig is not otherwise known. Berig means the Bear Wolf since Riga in Latvia means Wolf in their ancient language. Cassiodorus may have invented him, with inspiration from the name of Βέρικος (Berikos or Verica).

Recent archaeological research demonstrates that the transition of Oksywie culture into Wielbark culture was peaceful. Its timing coincides with the appearance of new population of Scandinavian origins in previously uninhabited area ("no man's land") between the Oksywie and Przeworsk culture areas (Kokowski 1999). It is highly probable that the new population which appeared on southern coast of the Baltic in early first century AD catalyzing the transformation of Oksywie culture into Wielbark culture (the historical Goths) can be identified with the Berig party described by Jordanes. The area where they settled suggests that Berig could be invited to defend the tribes known as Okywie culture against their southern (probably Vandal) neighbors.

Sources

• Andrzej Kokowski "Archäologie der Goten" 1999 (ISBN 83-907341-8-4)

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