Re: Anthropomorphism in Proto-Indo-European

From: Francesco Brighenti
Message: 46641
Date: 2006-12-07

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "C. Darwin Goranson"
<cdog_squirrel@...> wrote:

> I've done a bit of reading on the topic of lycanthropy and such
> because of my interest in TF, and since I also really enjoy
> linguistics, I've been trying to compare human-animal myths in the
> Indo-European languages to see if there are any similar features.

Please refer to:

Kershaw, Kris. The One-eyed God: Odin and the (Indo-)Germanic
Männerbünde. Wahshington, D.C.: Institute for the Study of Man, 2000
[Journal of the Indo-European Studies Monograph No. 36].

Speidel, Michael. Berserks: A History of Indo-European 'Mad
Warriors'. Journal of World History, Vol. 13, No. 2, Fall 2002, pp.
253-290. Univerity of Hawai'i Press.

Beware of the heavily speculative character of these studies, which
are mainly based on comparative linguistic and philological
arguments (no 'hard' proofs!). Yet, some very useful clues can be
found in them re: the reconstruction of the putative common Indo-
European anthropological figure of the berserk-like wolf/bear-man,
the Mad Warrior.

I have both works with me, and I can reproduce some quotations from
them if requested.

Best,
Francesco Brighenti