Mannus is a
Germanic mythological figure attested by the
1st century Roman historian
Tacitus in his work
Germania. According to Tacitus, Mannus is the son of the earth-born
Tuisto and the ancestor and founder of the
three Germanic tribes Ingvaeones, Herminones (or
Irminones) and Istaevones.
The name of this deity means human or man (as in Homo sapiens). It stems from the same root as the Indo-Iranian Manu, progenitor of humanity, first holy king to rule this earth who saves mankind and the Vedas and the priesthood from the universal flood. It might also be related to the name of the Irish deity Manannan mac Lir, for whom the Isle of Man is named.
In the Eddas, Mannus seems to most closely resemble Heimdall (World's Brightness). In the opening passage of the Voluspa, men are referred to as being Heimdall's kin, while in the poem Rigsthula he is shown uniting each of the hierarchal ranks in siblinghood. Furthermore, while Mannus is remembered as being the father of both Odin and Frey, Heimdal is remembered as being one of the Aesir, but also to have qualities directly linked to the Vanir and to exist in a close paternal relationship to Freyja.
In Eddaic Creation, Mannus is comparable to Borr.
