Primary-source dossier
The excerpts below are reproduced from the Ictis Anthology — a working paper produced during research for the project. Some of the results were spun off into New Perspectives on the Ictis of Pytheas of Massalia.
On the Ages of the World
This passage contains a brief rhetorical itemisation of the material resources of the British Isles in the eyes of Roman occupiers, from Nennius’ perspective. Gold, silver, copper, and textiles are mentioned, but not tin.
15 [§30] The generals of the Romans were killed on three occasions by the Britons. However, while the Britons were being worried by the peoples of the barbarians, that is the Scots and the Picts, they sought the help of the Romans. And when they sent envoys, they entered with great sorrow and with ashes on their heads, and they brought a great treasure with them in admission of the wicked killing of the generals. And the consuls accepted the welcome gifts from them. And they promised under oath to accept the yoke of Roman rule, however hard it might be, and the Romans came with a great army to their aid and placed generals and emperors in Britain. And, having established an emperor with his generals, the army returned to Rome. And they did so alternately throughout four hundred and fortyeight years. But the Britons used to kill the generals of the Romans on account of the burden of their rule and afterwards would ask for help. However, the Romans would come to rule and help, and also to avenge and, having stripped Britain of gold and silver, with bronze and all precious clothing and sweetness, would return with a great triumph.
On the wonders of the island of Ireland
There is a pond there that is called Luch Lein1. It is encircled by four circles. In the first circle, the peat-cutting is surrounded by tin; in the second circle, the peat-cutting is surrounded by lead; in the third circle, the peat-cutting is surrounded by iron; in the fourth circle, the peat-cutting is surrounded by bronze. And many pearls are found in that pond, which kings place in their ears.
There is another pond, which makes wood harden into stone. So men shape wood and after they have fashioned it, they throw it into the pond, and it remains in it up to the start of the year, and at the start of the year, stone is found. And it is called Luch Echach.2
Bibliography and editions
Critical editions and further reading
- Latin edition. T. Mommsen (ed.), Historia Brittonum in MGH Auctores Antiquissimi XIII (1898). Internet Archive: Mommsen, Chronica Minora III.
- Public-domain English. Historical editions/translations of Nennius. Project Gutenberg: Nennius.
Rights boundary. Ancient texts and public-domain images are not relicensed by Kassiteros. Modern editions and translations retain their own rights. Only Kassiteros-authored commentary and original project metadata are intended to fall under the project’s CC BY 4.0 policy.
Why this source matters
The Historia Brittonum combines historical, geographical and marvel traditions. The anthology uses its Wight material and its explicitly metalliferous Irish lake wonder to compare where medieval writers do and do not choose to name metals.