Alaric and Erik, legendary rulers of Sweden from the Yngling dynasty, died under circumstances so strange that they have sparked the speculations of historians and mythographers for centuries. According to the sources, the brothers killed each other with horse bits during a quarrel over horses.
Brothers on One Throne
Alaric and Erik were sons of King Agni and shared the rule over Sweden. Records highlight that both were remarkable not only on the battlefield but also in sports. Yet, they drew the greatest pride from their horseback riding skills. This shared passion would seal their fate.
As time passed, their rivalry over who was the better horseman intensified. Each owned magnificent steeds, and they constantly tried to outdo each other in horsemanship. In a society where honor and masculine pride were paramount, such rivalry could easily turn into conflict.
One day, the brothers rode away from their retinue, likely to settle who was the superior rider. No one witnessed what happened next. When the courtiers found their rulers, all that remained were their dead bodies with smashed skulls.
The Mystery of the Brothers Deaths
The most astonishing element of this story is the weapon involved. No swords, axes, or conventional weapons were found at the scene—only horse bits. Thus, their subjects concluded that the brothers argued so violently that they began attacking each other with whatever was at hand.
The Old Norse poem Ynglingatal, the oldest source for this tale, expresses astonishment at this situation through a rhetorical question. The skald asks if it is really possible to believe that the noble descendants of Freyr, members of the royal lineage, killed each other using horse tack. The question reflects skepticism towards the official version of events.
Interestingly, an analysis of the original Ynglingatal suggests that perhaps only Alaric died, and his brother became Erik. Later chronicler Snorri Sturluson may have misinterpreted the account, adding the death of the second brother. This shows how legends evolved over centuries of oral tradition.
Alternative Versions of the Legend
Other Scandinavian sources offer different versions of the story. According to the Saga of Gautrek, Erik indeed killed Alaric with a bit during horse training, but survived and ruled Sweden alone for many years. In that version, the renowned warrior Starkad served both brothers as a companion in Viking expeditions.
The saga also introduces the fascinating character Thornbjorg, daughter of King Erik. This warrior princess called herself King Thorberg and ruled part of her fathers realm. Only her love for Hrolf, son of Gautrek, convinced her to trade her sword for an embroidery needle.
Danish chronicler Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum presents yet another interpretation. According to him, Alaric died in a duel with a different Erik—a Norwegian warrior famous for wit and eloquence. This Erik the Eloquent won battles not by force, but through cunning and oratory skill.
The story of Alaric and Erik fits into a broader Indo-European mythological pattern of twin brothers associated with horses. Similar tales appear in Greek, Roman, and Indian mythology; often, one brother is killed by the other, forming part of a creation myth.
Researchers note that horses held special significance in Norse culture, symbolizing status, wealth, and masculine power. A conflict over horses or riding abilities touched the deepest layers of warrior honor. In this context, fratricide, while tragic, becomes more understandable.
After the deaths of both brothers, Alaric’s sons—Yngvi and Alf—took power. Dynasties changed, but the memory of the strange deaths of these two kings endured in sagas and skaldic songs for centuries as a warning against the destructive force of brotherly rivalry.
Autor
Margot Cleverly
Margot's journey into women's history began with a box of forgotten letters in a Cambridge archive – suffragettes whose voices had been silenced for over a century. Since then, she's been on a mission to uncover the stories history overlooked.
What she writes about: Queens who ruled from the shadows. Scientists whose male colleagues took credit. Revolutionaries who risked everything. But also ordinary women – those who survived wars, raised families through upheaval, and shaped their communities in ways no one bothered to record.
Margot turns historical figures into real people. She writes with warmth and detail, making centuries-old stories feel surprisingly relevant. Rigorous research meets accessible storytelling – no dusty academic jargon, just compelling narratives backed by solid facts.
When she's not writing, you'll find her in regional archives, collecting oral histories, or visiting sites connected to the women she writes about.