The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century — John Shaqi
The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
History
The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
Frisian language -- Texts
When Min-erva had examined the country which is called by the
inhabitants Attica, she saw that the people were all goatherds,
and that they lived on meat, wild roots, herbs, and honey. They were
clothed in skins, and had their dwellings on the slopes (hellinga)
of the hills, wherefore they were called Hellingers. At first they
ran away, but when they found that we did not attack them, they came
back and showed great friendship. Min-erva asked if we might settle
there peaceably. This was agreed to on the condition that we should
help them to fight against their neighbours, who came continually to
carry away their children and to rob their dwellings. Then we built
a citadel at an hour's distance from the harbour. By the advice of
Min-erva it was called Athens, because, she said, those who come
after us ought to know that we are not here by cunning or violence,
but were received as friends (âtha). While we were building the citadel
the principal personages came to see us, and when they saw that we had
no slaves it did not please them, and they gave her to understand it,
as they thought that she was a princess. But Min-erva said, How did
you get your slaves? They answered, We bought some and took others
in war. Min-erva replied, If nobody would buy slaves they would not
steal your children, and you would have no wars about it. If you wish
to remain our allies, you will free your slaves. The chiefs did not
like this, and wanted to drive us away; but the most enlightened of
the people came and helped us to build our citadel, which was built
of stone.
This is the history of Jon and of Min-erva.
When they had finished their story they asked respectfully for iron
weapons; for, said they, our foes are powerful, but if we have good
arms we can withstand them. When this had been agreed to, the people
asked if Frya's customs would flourish in Athens and in other parts
of Greece (Krekalanden). The mother answered, If the distant Greeks
belong to the direct descent of Frya, then they will flourish; but if
they do not descend from Frya, then there will be a long contention
about it, because the carrier must make five thousand revolutions of
his Juul before Finda's people will be ripe for liberty.
THIS IS ABOUT THE GEERTMEN.
When Hellenia or Min-erva died, the priests pretended to be with us,
and in order to make it appear so, they deified Hellenia. They refused
to have any other mother chosen, saying that they feared there was
no one among her maidens whom they could trust as they had trusted
Min-erva, surnamed Nyhellenia.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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