| “ | They're burning! They're burning! They're burning! They're burning! The wolf is coming. The wolf is coming. | ” |
| — Ansgar[src] | ||
Ansgar is a supporting character on the Netflix original series Barbarians. He is portrayed by Jeremy Miliker.
Ansgar is Thusnelda's younger brother who has been in a conscious but mostly unresponsive state ever since the incident with the Romans, where he suffered significant brain damage from being hit by the handle of a sword.[1]
Early Life[]
Ansgar was born and raised in Cherusci, alongside his older sister, Thusnelda, by their father, Segestes and mother, Irmina.
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
A Victim of Rome[]
Ansgar and his friends play a game known as "The Wolf is coming." It's when one child, this case being Ansgar, pretends to be a wolf and chases the other children throughout the village. Thusnelda finds her younger brother playing and teases him over his hunting abilities.
The Romans arrive in Cherusci to collect tribute. As a show of loyalty to Rome, Metellus asks Segimer to kiss their standard; a golden eagle mounted onto a staff. When Segimer refuses, Segestes kneels down to kiss the standard, but Thusnelda intervenes, shoving away the eagle and accosting her father. This upsets the Romans, so Metellus grabs Thusnelda and drags her by her hair. Ansgar comes to her rescue. He bites Metellus’ arm, and Metellus hits him over the head with the handle of his sword, knocking Ansgar unconscious and splitting his head open as blood runs down his face.
Ansgar is taken to a seeres named Runa. She chants repeatedly while rubbing a white paste on his face. Although Ansgar survived his encounter with the Roman guards, he did not fully recover. He’s conscious but remains mostly in an unresponsive state. He sit in the middle of the village. Segestes joins him in the dirt, holding him close.[1]
A Merciful Death?[]
Ansgar sits in the middle of the village, looking up to Folkwin's crucifed family. He is momentarily joined by Thusnedla. Later, Thusnelda gives him a bath.
Folkwin's family is given a funeral. Ansgar shows up and repeats the phrase "They’re burning!" Irmina begs him to stop as his actions are a disgrace, but he continues until Thusnelda takes him home. As she is taking Ansgar home, Thusnelda overhears Arminius speaking with a Bructeran, who informs him that they have Folkwin.
That night, Ansgar repeatedly slams his head into a support beam. Irmina watches and says that they wouldn’t let an animal suffer so and it would be cruel to allow Ansgar to. Meaning that the boy should be put out of his misery. So, the following morning, she leads Ansgar out to kill him. Irmina walks Ansgar into the woods and leads him to a cliff. She suggests they play "the wolf is coming." Irmina then ties a blindfold over his eyes and turns him towards the cliff. Ansgar inches closer and closer towards the cliff. He nearly walks off until Thusnelda comes to his rescue, saving him just as he reaches the edge. Thusnelda then takes Ansgar away and leaves him in Runa's possession.[2]
Runa watches Ansgar as he finger paints with a bowl of blood. She tells him to show her what he sees, which is apparently a bloody battle between the tribes and the Romans.[3]
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest[]
Ansgar stands in the middle of the battle field as the tribes defeat the Romans. He is led to safety by Folkwin.[4]
Abilities and Attributes[]
Ansgar was a normal child prior to his incident. After being nearly killed by a Roman soldier, he was taken to Runa for healing. She claimed that he was a favorite of the gods because he'd been to the Kingdom of Death and returned. Runa later uses Ansgar and his ability to paint events to come.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Trivia[]
- Ansgar is not a historical figure. He was created specifically for the series. However, Thusnelda did have a brother by the name of Segimundus.