The kóryos, meaning "warband" in Proto-Indo-European, was a widespread ritual phenomenon among Indo-European peoples. Notable examples include the Germanic ulfhednar (wolf warriors) and the Viking berserkers (bear warriors). These warbands consisted of young, unmarried men from aristocratic and warrior classes participating in a rite of passage into adulthood.
The kóryos typically comprised adolescents aged 12 to 19 who temporarily lived on the fringes of society. They left their communities to operate as landless warriors, often in small groups of two to twelve individuals. During this period, they hunted animals, raided enemy tribes, and stole livestock, a significant source of wealth at the time. Symbolically, they identified with predators like wolves and dogs, associated with death, lawlessness, and uncontrollable battle fury.
The warbands were led by a koryonos, meaning "master of the warband." Members underwent rigorous initiation rites requiring physical and mental strength and typically owned nothing but their weapons. Their activities followed a seasonal pattern: in spring, they embarked on raids, while in winter, they returned to defend their own community. During their time in the kóryos, they learned heroic songs and legends, which legitimized their roles as warriors and strengthened their identity.
Membership in the kóryos usually ended with marriage. At that point, former members were fully integrated into society and took on adult responsibilities.
The kóryos played a vital role in society: it fostered group cohesion, facilitated territorial expansion, and bolstered community defense. Additionally, the warbands contributed to the so-called "feast economies" by acquiring spoils, further enhancing the power and wealth of rulers. Thus, the kóryos was not only a rite of passage but also an essential part of the political and economic structure of the Indo-European world.
Wolf-like characteristics
Members of the kóryos identified with wolves or dogs. They wore animal skins and adopted names referencing these predators, symbols of death, aggression, and combativeness. By associating themselves with these animals, they placed themselves outside the human world and became wolves themselves.
Wodan, as master of war and guardian of cosmic order, was the god predominantly worshiped by members of the kóryos. Wodan was central to the Germanic variant of these warbands and served as their god and leader. Like the members of the kóryos, Odin is known for his shamanistic-style ecstasies. Contrary to modern clichés that portray wolves or bears in paganism as benevolent spirit animals, historically, these creatures were associated primarily with rage, cunning, and violence. This tradition likely stems from the fact that these animals attacked livestock, which was central to a nomadic culture.
Battle fury
The kóryos was known for entering an ecstatic state of frenzy, enabling them to display superhuman strength and fearlessness. This fury was often described as a transformation, as if the warriors temporarily became predators. Similar concepts are found in Germanic, Greek, and Vedic traditions.
Wodan is also renowned for his battle fury. With this rage, the aristocracy and warrior classes of various tribes fought one another. He was likely associated with the kóryos from the Proto-Germanic tradition onward, though he may not have been the first god connected to this Proto-Indo-European tradition.
Nakedness and rituals
Many members fought naked or semi-naked, wearing nothing but a belt and their weapons. The belt symbolized their bond to the kóryos. Archaeological finds, such as kurgan stelae (found on the Steppe, circa 3000 BCE) and Celtic figurines from the Hallstatt and La Tène periods (800 BCE – 1st century CE), confirm this tradition. This tradition is also seen in the 7th-century horned spear dancer from Finglesham (England), who is depicted naked except for his belt.
Association with Darkness
The kóryos was often associated with the color black and the night. Rituals and attacks were frequently conducted in darkness, emphasizing their connection to chthonic (underworld) forces. This likely gave rise to the Germanic tradition of Zwarte Piet and Knecht Ruprecht. Black can also be seen as the color of wild animals like the bear, whose name in Proto-Indo-European was considered taboo and could not be spoken.
