Hróðmar

Hróðmar is a figure who appears in Old Norse sagas and poetry. He is most notably a character in the legendary saga of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, specifically in the Þáttr af Ragnars sonum (The Tale of Ragnar's Sons). In this narrative, Hróðmar is presented as a king or jarl of Friesland.

The primary role of Hróðmar in the saga is as an adversary to Ragnar Lothbrok's sons, particularly Ivar the Boneless. The saga recounts a conflict where Hróðmar is involved in the death of Ragnar Lothbrok. Following Ragnar's demise, his sons embark on expeditions to avenge their father, and their path leads them to engage with Hróðmar.

The confrontation with Hróðmar culminates in a decisive battle. According to the narrative, Hróðmar is eventually defeated and killed by Ragnar's sons, thereby fulfilling their quest for vengeance. The character of Hróðmar serves as a significant obstacle in the sons' journey and a key figure in the tragic arc of Ragnar's story. While his existence is part of a legendary tradition, Hróðmar embodies the archetypal foe encountered by heroic figures in early Germanic literature.