2. Anglo-Saxons & Romans Romans conquer Celtic tribes in Britain Roman Empire begins to fall = Romans leave Britain Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) invade Britain = drove Britons into mts. England and English language forms from these tribes.

3. The Epic Warrior Possessed qualities valued by Germanic tribes Courage to achieved fame & immortality Loyalty to tribal lord Wisdom in leading Physical strength to overcome enemies

4. Warrior Society War was way of life Hierarchy 1. Warlord or Noble Ring Giver 2. Warrior chief of tribe or family Warriors became hearth companions

5. Warrior Society Warlord rewards bravest warriors with treasure Warriors showed absolute loyalty to leaders Goal = win fame & be remembered after death for deeds

6. Warrior Society “On the field of battle it is a disgrace to a chief to be surpassed in courage by his followers, and to the followers not to equal the courage of their chief. And to leave a battle alive after their chief has fallen means lifelong infamy and shame.” - Tacitus, Roman historian (p. 12)

7. Oral Literature Scops – storytellers – Sang heroic songs about warriors’ great deeds – Performed in mead halls – Mead – alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey

8. Germanic & Christian Influences Two big influences of Old English literature Anglo-Saxon = tales of Germanic mythology No afterlife = warrior’s goal = gain fame in life Christianity = promise of eternal life Both beliefs are seen in Anglo-Saxon literature

9. Wyrd Fate Anglo-Saxons believed wyrd controlled human destiny Believed ultimate fate was death Heroes must face death with courage

10. Epic a long narrative poem about the adventures and deeds of a hero

11. Features of an Epic & Characteristic of an Epic Hero See pages 20 & 21 of the text.

12. Write the following questions in your notebook. 1.Who is the author of Beowulf? 2.Why does Beowulf rank so highly within the literary world? 3.What religion was the Beowulf poet? 4.Who copied the poem?