Íslendingabók

Íslendingabók, or The Book of the Icelanders, is a medieval Icelandic historical work compiled in the early 12th century by Ari Þorgeirsson, commonly known as Ari the Learned. It provides a concise, chronological account of Icelandic history from the settlement of Iceland (the landnámsöld) to Ari’s own time, with particular emphasis on the genealogies of Icelandic families and the development of governance and law.

The work aims to present a brief, authoritative history of the Icelandic people, outlining the origins and descent of settlers, the main settlement waves, and key events. It covers the establishment of Christian practice in Iceland around the year 1000 and the functioning of the Alþingi, the national assembly that played a central role in Icelandic political life. Although based on oral tradition and earlier sources, Íslendingabók was written to offer a structured, factual chronology rather than a romance or saga.

The original text is in Old Norse and was produced in Iceland in the early 12th century. It survives in later medieval copies, with the oldest manuscripts dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. Because of its focus on origins, genealogies, and early institutions, Íslendingabók is a foundational source for Icelandic historiography and for understanding the broader tradition of sagas and genealogical literature.

Scholars regard it as a compact and influential early history that helped shape later Icelandic national self-understanding. It remains a key reference for studies of Iceland’s settlement era, Christianity’s introduction, and early legal and political culture.