Old and New Prussia (Alt- und Neues Preussen [...] Durch M. Christophorum Hartknoch)

The work ‘Old and New Prussia’ by the 17th-century Prussian historian Christoph Hartknoch (1644–1687) is one of the most famous and original 17th-century books on the ancient Balts. In the first part, the author describes the people of Prussia before the arrival of the Teutonic Order, and writes about their uniqueness, language, religion and customs, weddings, funerals, and household and social structure. In the second part, he analyses the origins of the Teutonic Order, its wars, the occupation of the Prussian lands and their consolidation there, the founding of their cities, their residents and rights, money, and administration. It is a historical synthesis, rich in information, collected from many written sources and references. The book presents not only facts about the Prussians but also facts about other Balts (the Lithuanians and Suduvians), their neighbours since time immemorial. The author also describes relics of the old Baltic religion and the worship of snakes in Prussia and neighbouring Samogitia, and records some details of the Lithuanian language, such as the proverb ‘Diews dawe dantis, dos ir donos’ (If God gave you teeth, He will give you bread too).

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album ARS LIBRI (2022). Compiler Algimantas Muzikevičius, text authors Algimantas Muzikevičius, Rolandas Gustaitis

The work ‘Old and New Prussia’ by the 17th-century Prussian historian Christoph Hartknoch (1644–1687) is one of the most famous and original 17th-century books on the ancient Balts. In the first part, the author describes the people of Prussia before the arrival of the Teutonic Order, and writes about their uniqueness, language, religion and customs, weddings, funerals, and household and social structure. In the second part, he analyses the origins of the Teutonic Order, its wars, the occupation of the Prussian lands and their consolidation there, the founding of their cities, their residents and rights, money, and administration. It is a historical synthesis, rich in information, collected from many written sources and references. The book presents not only facts about the Prussians but also facts about other Balts (the Lithuanians and Suduvians), their neighbours since time immemorial. The author also describes relics of the old Baltic religion and the worship of snakes in Prussia and neighbouring Samogitia, and records some details of the Lithuanian language, such as the proverb ‘Diews dawe dantis, dos ir donos’ (If God gave you teeth, He will give you bread too).

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album ARS LIBRI (2022). Compiler Algimantas Muzikevičius, text authors Algimantas Muzikevičius, Rolandas Gustaitis