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Erec
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Erec

poem by Hartmann von Aue
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Article History

Erec, Middle High German epic poem by Hartmann von Aue, written about 1180–85 and considered the first Arthurian romance in German. This poem of some 10,000 lines is a loose translation of a work by Chrétien de Troyes about one of the knights of the Round Table. The story concerns the duties and proper behaviour of a knight and reflects the ideals of restraint and moderation that Hartmann valued.

When the knight Erec realizes that devotion to his new wife, Enite, has caused him to become neglectful of his knightly duties, he sets out on a series of adventures, taking Enite with him. He eventually learns to achieve a balance between his two chivalrous duties.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.