ABSTRACT
ALTHOUGH the Gothic princes of old had a greater eagerness for wars than delight in any other pleasures, 1 and although they Lthought that the finest diversion for both mind and body was to wield arms sternly and to secure a variety of conquests in the most hard-fought battles, yet a number of them designed to add to this pleasure something more splendid and left to their descendants buildings both costly and serviceable. 2 We find that a certain Scarinus, the most powerful ruler in the whole Gota principality, carried out such schemes in a way peculiar to himself, especially in the territory of Vastergotland, which he frequently 118illumined with his presence; he did this for the benefit of his neighbour, Sidager, king of Norway, to whom, since they were related by blood, he wished also to be closer in friendship and in the lands where he resided. This monarch built Skara, the city of Vastergotland named after him, erecting it in a place well-protected by fens and bogs, with as much foresight as his successors short-sightedly allowed it to become deserted and ruinous. This was the ancient seat of Gothic kingship; however, not far from it there still exist the remains of a second royal palace called Årnäs, whose site, walls, and architecture so excite the wonder of every viewer that all steadfastly declare no building of that era has been found to surpass it in the whole of the North or in all Europe. But what is not changed by long life, old age, and the passage of time? 2 Let these ruins serve at least as tokens to prompt future generations to remember the grandeur displayed by those heroes of old.
Delight of the Goths in wielding weapons
King Scarinus
City of Skara
Årnäs, once a most noble castle
