DIETRICH OF BERNE, name given in popular story to Theodoric the Great. The legend differs so widely from the true history that even in mediaeval times some doubted the connection, and noted the staring anachronisms. But the identity seems to be proved by the names Dietrich (Theodoric), Dietmar (Theudemir), Berne (Verona), Raben (Ravenna) ; and there is some resemblance in character between Theodoric and Dietrich. The South-German cycle of Dietrich-songs is partially preserved in the Heldenbuch (q.v.), Dietrichs Flucht, the Rabenschlacht, and Alpharts Tod; but is was reserved for a i3th century Ice Lander to compile a consecutive account. This prose redaction (V ilkina or Thidreks Saga) incorporates much matter from the Nibelungen and Wayland legends; in fact practically the whole South-German epos.
There are traces of a form of the story in which the hero started out from Byzantium for the conquest of Italy. But this was very early superseded by the existing legend, in which, per haps by epic fusion with his father Theudemir, he was associated first with Attila and then with Ermanaric, by whom he was driven from his kingdom of Berne. After years of exile at Attila's court he returned with a Hunnish army and defeated Ermanaric in the Rabenschlacht (battle of Ravenna). Attila's two sons fell in the fight, and Dietrich returned to Attila to answer for their death : this seems to suggest that originally the Rabenschlacht was a defeat. In Ermenrichs Tod he slays Ermanaric, as in fact Theodoric slew Odoacer; and in the Hildebrandslied "Otacher" takes the place of Ermanaric. Dietrich's long stay with Attila represents Theodoric's youth spent at the Byzantine court ; the period of exile was as usual adorned with marvellous exploits, most of which had no connection with the cycle ; the poems of Konig Laurin, Sigenot, Eckenlied, and Virginal are based largely on independent traditions. Through Attila Dietrich enters the Nibelung cycle. In the final catastrophe it is he who, to avenge his Amelungs, at last delivers Hagen to Kriemhild. His "flame breath" seems to be pure myth; but the tales of his demonic origin and of his being carried off by the devil may be ascribed to clerical hostility to Theodoric's Arianism.
Dietrich typifies the wise and just ruler as opposed to Erman aric the typical tyrant. He is invariably represented as slow to anger; but once roused he overcomes even Siegfried (but prob ably the fight in the rose garden at Worms is a late accretion). The chief heroes of the Dietrich cycle are his tutor and com rade Hildebrand (see HILDEBRAND, LAY OF), with his nephews the Wolfings Alphart and Wolfhart; Wittich, who renounced his allegiance and slew Attila's sons; Heime and Biterolf.
The poems of the Dietrich-cycle are summarized by Uhland, Zur Geschichte der Dichtung and Sage (Stuttgart, 1873) . Thidrekssaga (ed. Unger, Christiania, 1853) is translated into German by v. der Hagen, Altdeutsche Heldensagen (Breslau, 3rd ed., 1872). A summary of the legend is in Hodgkin, Theodoric (1891) . Part of Thidrekssaga is in Mobius, Analecta Norroena (Leipzig, 1877) . See also W. Grimm, Deutsche Heldensage (1867) ; accounts in Sandbach, Saga-cycle of Dietrich (1906) ; Jiriczek, Deutsche Heldensage (trans. Bentinck Smith, Northern Legends, 1902). Original extracts, Jiriczek, Kudrun and Dietrichepen (Stuttgart, 1895) . For full bibliography see Symons, D. Heldensage, in Paul's Grundriss; also Goedeke, Geschichte der d. Dichtung (r857-81).