The Criteria for the Formation of a Frisian Runic Corpus Revisited

Abstract

The Frisian corpus of runic inscriptions consists of about twenty items, some of which are very short, while other present several problems of legend and interpretation. On the other end, it is undeniable that the Frisian runic inscriptions constitute a uniform corpus with a recognizable identity that can be pinpointed through a series of specific criteria. In the present paper I enter the debate about the origin of the Frisian runic inscriptions, analysing the geographical, linguistical and epigraphic criteria identified by the previous research, providing whenever possible further and new elements, in order to strengthen the foundations of the Frisian runological tradition.