Germanic chieftain

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In pre-Christian times chieftains were both political and religious leaders, tasked to use their luck to secure the people fred (translated "good times" - nowadays actually the word for peace). Arminius was a famous example.

Luck was considered the sign of the leader. He was appointed leader, who possessed a great luck. But the luck could also abandon its bearer, and chose someone else as carrier.

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Last updated on Thursday July 03, 2008 at 17:17:22 PDT (GMT -0700)
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