The thula, from the Old Norse word thula, is an ancient poetic genre of the Germanic literatures consisting of metrical name-lists or lists of poetic synonyms, compiled mainly for oral recitation and thought to serve chiefly a mnemonic function. Thulas occur both as independent pieces, such as the Old English Widsith, and as passages within longer works including the Old Norse Poetic and Prose Edda and the Voluspa, and they are considered sources of once-canonical mythological and genealogical knowledge composed in a highly formalized, alliterative style.
Facts
Notable ExampleWidsith (Old English poem containing three catalogue-style thulas) 1 Defining TraitA listing in verse of names usable in poetry for various items, such as gods, giants, people, animals and weapons, composed as a mnemonic aid 2 Sources
1. Widsith - Wikipedia
Contents sectionQuote, Contents section
the poem is divided into three 'catalogues', so-called thulas
2. Nafnaþulur - Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, second sentenceQuote, Lead paragraph, second sentence
a listing in verse of names that may be used in poetry for various items, such as gods, jötnar, people, animals, and weapons
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