Editing Tumulus (section)

==Burial accounts==
The funeral of [[Patroclus]] is described in book 23 of [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''. Patroclus is burned on a [[pyre]], and his bones are collected into a golden [[urn]] in two layers of fat. The barrow is built on the location of the pyre. [[Achilles]] then sponsors funeral games, consisting of a [[chariot race]], boxing, wrestling, running, a duel between two champions to the first blood, discus throwing, archery and spear throwing.

[[Beowulf (hero)|Beowulf]]'s body in the Anglo-Saxon poem ''[[Beowulf]]'' is taken to Hronesness, where it is burned on a funeral pyre. During cremation, the [[Geats]] lament the death of their lord, a widow's lament being mentioned in particular, singing [[dirge]]s as they [[Circumambulation|circumambulate]] the barrow.
Afterwards, a mound is built on top of a hill, overlooking the sea, and filled with treasure. A band of twelve of the best warriors ride around the barrow, singing dirges in praise of their lord.

Parallels have also been drawn to the account of [[Attila the Hun|Attila]]'s burial in [[Jordanes]]' ''[[Getica]]''.<ref>Frederick Klaeber, ''Attila's and Beowulf's funeral'', PMLA (1927); Martin Puhvel, ''The Ride around Beowulf's Barrow'', Folklore (1983).</ref> Jordanes tells that as Attila's body was lying in state, the best horsemen of the [[Huns]] circled it, as in circus games.

An Old Irish ''Life of [[Columcille]]'' reports that every funeral procession "halted at a mound called Eala, whereupon the corpse was laid, and the mourners marched thrice solemnly round the spot."