The Poetic Edda on Gotthorm

The > Volume I > Notes

• attestation: Gotthorm killed Sigurth at Brynhild's behest; he was Grimhild's son and thus a step-son of Gjuki

  "Gotthorm, the third brother, who killed Sigurth at Brynhild's behest, was Grimhild's son, and thus a step-son of Gjuki"

The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Notes

• relationship: Gotthorm is Gunnar's half-brother and the one who slays Sigurth

  "Gotthorm: Gunnar's half-brother, and slayer of Sigurth."

• attestation: Gotthorm was fed snake flesh and meat of beasts of prey to induce ferocity, as eating such foods was commonly believed to cause fierceness

  "Eating snakes and the flesh of beasts of prey was commonly supposed to induce ferocity. Gotthorm: Grimhild's son, half-brother to Gunnar. He it is who, not having sworn brotherhood with Sigurth, does the killing."

• attestation: Gotthorm tried twice to kill Sigurth but was terrified by the brightness of his eyes, succeeding only after the hero had fallen asleep

  "the Volsungasaga, which tells how Gotthorm tried twice to kill Sigurth but was terrified by the brightness of his eyes, and succeeded only after the hero had fallen asleep."

• attestation: Gotthorm is the half-brother of Gunnar and Hogni, identified as the northern form of the historical name Gundomar from the Lex Burgundionum

  "Gotthorm (the name is variously spelt): half-brother of Gunnar and Hogni (cf. Hyndluljoth, 27 and note, and Brot, 4 and note). The name is the northern form of Gundomar; a prince of this name is mentioned in the Lex Burgundionum, apparently as a brother of Gundahari (Gundicarius)."

• comparison: In the Nibelungenlied, the third brother (corresponding to Gotthorm) is called Gernot

  "In the Nibelungenlied the third brother is called Gernot."

The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Pronouncing Index

• attestation: Gotthorm is the slayer of Sigurth

  "Got′-thorm, slayer of Sigurth"