This question has always been on my mind: Conan is one heck of a badass in Central and Southern Hyboria, but what of his natives? While it is known that the Cimmerians have rarely known defeat, be it by the Aquilonians or raiding Nordheim tribes, what do Howardians think of the other Cimmerians? Is there any who is possibly the better man compared to Conan? After all, all Cimmerian youths have to deal with the neck-breaking ritual. What might the possibilities be if Conan had to deal with a rogue Cimmerian? Or is there the possibility that Conan is the best that Cimmeria has to offer?
Ho, Conan, How Fare Yonder Cimmerians?
Started by Crom's bells, Mar 25 2010 05:25 AM
11 replies to this topic
#2
Ironhand
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Posted 25 March 2010 - 08:47 AM
It is generally believed that Conan is above average for a Cimmerian, and is the best that Cimmeria has to offer. Also, it may be that Conan himself is something of a rogue Cimmerian. As was his grandfather.
Edited by Ironhand, 25 March 2010 - 08:47 AM.
"Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
#3
Haemogoblin
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Posted 25 March 2010 - 02:06 PM
Is it even a ritual to break a bull's neck? By my recollection of Conan's mention of it there was nothing to imply it was a ritual.
He is grim and loveless, but at birth he breathes power to strive and slay into a man's soul. What else shall men ask of the gods?- Queen of the Black Coast
#4
Crom's bells
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Posted 25 March 2010 - 02:55 PM
I meant ritual as in it was customary. I believe it was mentioned that all youths of a certain age - I believe 15? - had to go through the neck breaking process, unless I'm mistaken.
#5
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Posted 25 March 2010 - 04:09 PM
Nothing in Conan's statement about bull neck breaking directly implies that it is a ritual that Cimmerian boys have to partake in.
On the subject of Conan compared to other Cimmerians...
In The Phoenix on the Sword it Conan's friend, can't recall his name, states that Conan is unlike any other cimmerian he has met. And that Conan is more like the Asier or Vanir in his emotional make up.
Howard's statements about Conan being mentioned around the council fires before he is 16 would seem to indicate that Conan was already on his his way to becoming a unique individual even before he left Cimmeria.
On the subject of Conan compared to other Cimmerians...
In The Phoenix on the Sword it Conan's friend, can't recall his name, states that Conan is unlike any other cimmerian he has met. And that Conan is more like the Asier or Vanir in his emotional make up.
Howard's statements about Conan being mentioned around the council fires before he is 16 would seem to indicate that Conan was already on his his way to becoming a unique individual even before he left Cimmeria.
"I vanquished Law once, I'll conquer yet again--
And force upon Mankind the Freedom he fears--
And dead gods I will again defy?"
And force upon Mankind the Freedom he fears--
And dead gods I will again defy?"
#6
Crom's bells
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Posted 25 March 2010 - 06:17 PM
My bad, I must have recalled the neck breaking wrongly then.
#7
Ironhand
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Posted 26 March 2010 - 08:19 AM
Look at my signature: there you will see the only mention that Howard ever made about breaking the bull's neck.
"Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man...!" - Conan, in "Shadows in Zamboula", by Robert E. Howard
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
"... you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted [Conan]. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the hills. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires." - "Beyond the Black River", by Robert E. Howard
Read my Conan screenplays at The Scrolls of Ironhand (in particular my transcription of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER in Act II of "The Snow Devil") at
http://www.scrollsof...d.us/index.html or at
http://www.delicious...ic=ConanProject
#8
Taranaich
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Posted 26 March 2010 - 05:20 PM
It's pretty clear that Conan is considered different from other Cimmerians. Prospero has apparently met other Cimmerians, and noted that they didn't display any "gigantic mirth" to go with their melancholies, and likens Conan to the Aesir (who he hasn't met). Conan also appears to be one of the few Cimmerians to have explored the Hyborian nations, rather than raided them: his Grandfather is the only other we know of. His grandfather is also probably the man who inspired him to leave Cimmeria and explore those places, which seems to be a comparatively rare thing for Cimmerians to do.
As for whether he's more "badass," "powerful" or "dangerous": well, his name is repeated around the council fires when he was only 15. That's pretty impressive, and indicative of significant martial prowess, since the people he would've been fighting were Hyperboreans, Vanir, Aesir and other Cimmerians: no pushovers by any means. The "bull-breaking" (if it indeed happened, and wasn't a case of Conan trash-talking) would thus likely be an isolated incident.
As for whether he's more "badass," "powerful" or "dangerous": well, his name is repeated around the council fires when he was only 15. That's pretty impressive, and indicative of significant martial prowess, since the people he would've been fighting were Hyperboreans, Vanir, Aesir and other Cimmerians: no pushovers by any means. The "bull-breaking" (if it indeed happened, and wasn't a case of Conan trash-talking) would thus likely be an isolated incident.
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#9
Crom's bells
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Posted 26 March 2010 - 05:59 PM
Look at my signature: there you will see the only mention that Howard ever made about breaking the bull's neck.
Yes ok fine I admitted that mistake. Crom's Fury, the way you guys go on about it, it's almost criminal to recall something wrongly
#10
THE KID
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Posted 27 March 2010 - 01:31 AM
Look at my signature: there you will see the only mention that Howard ever made about breaking the bull's neck.
Yes ok fine I admitted that mistake. Crom's Fury, the way you guys go on about it, it's almost criminal to recall something wrongly
Crom - Hang in there! Other fans were just sharing with you what they knew. You're a good guy, too. I like reading your posts and topics. Thank you for that. I'm not a scholar and the only bull I recall is on that Colt 45 Liquor commercial where the Red Bull comes charging through the wall and chases everyone or the running of the bulls where a bunch of idiots get chased by Bulls.
I believe that wheel of circle that Conan pushed day in and day out for years gave him tremendous strength. Not only is Conan strong but cunning as he outwits and outfights opponents and creatures much bigger than him. I could be wrong and if I am Oh Well. So be it. You learn something new every day. Hey - If you like check out the You Tube Videos - by Kortoso. They are a blast and I promise you that anyone who looks at the boxing match or the little kids Evil Knevil homemade video will chuckle or laugh very hard. Also - check out the riding monkey post. That's a great one, too. Got side tracked but I believe Conan is the best and no other person on the planet can match him in a fight barehanded, sword, etc. I might be wrong about weapons as I'm no weapon expert - bow and arrow, javelin, etc. Sorcery is a different subject.
Edited by Richard, 27 March 2010 - 01:47 AM.
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#11
Crom's bells
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Posted 27 March 2010 - 02:48 AM
No problem Richard, I was just messing around, but I also wanted to get the thread back on track 
#12
Libaax
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Posted 27 March 2010 - 11:52 AM
I will confess to have fantasized about Conan meeting other wild Cimmerian warrior. Sure Conan stands out but not as much as when he is among those weak civilized peoples 
