Bragmanni

In the historical context, Bragmanni or Brabanters were hired mercenaries employed in the armies of competing princes of western Europe.[1]

Bragmanni were a mythical race of people thought by medieval Europeans to live on the fringes of the known world. The name could be derived from that of the Hindu caste of the Brahmans; however, some medieval writers clearly differentiate between the Brahmans and the imagined Bragmanni. Although they were often lumped together with monstrous races such as cyclopes and Cynocephali, Bragmanni were normal in appearance, and differed from other humans because of their unique lifestyle.[2]

Bragmanni were unclothed, cave-dwelling wise men who were extremely moralistic and ascetic.[3] They are often merged or confused with Gymnosophists, a similar group of wise men.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Bartlett, Robert. England under the Norman and Angevin Kings 1075-1225. Oxford University Press, New York, 2000.
  2. 1 2 Fritze, Ronald H. Travel Legend and Lore: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1998.
  3. ↑ Medieval World View (Southwestern University) Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.


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