THE SCENE: King Aun was wise enough to understand the secret ways of the world, and so used magic forces to artificially extend his lifespan. The only cost was sacrificing the lives of his sons.
THE TEXT: Aun was the name of the son of Jorund, who ruled over Sweden after his father. He was a wise man and a great believer in sacrifices. At that time he was sixty years of age. Then he made a great sacrifice to have a long life, dedicating and sacrificing his son to Othin. King Aun was given an answer by Othin, to the effect that he was to live another sixty years. Then Ali the Bold, the son of Frithleif, invaded Sweden with an army. Some battles were fought, and Ali was always victorious. Then King Aun fled a second time from his kingdom and went to West Gautland. Ali was king in Uppsala for twenty years before Starkath the Old slew him.
After Ali’s fall King Aun returned to Uppsala and ruled over it for another twenty years. Then he performed a great sacrifice, sacrificing him a son every tenth year; and also, that he was to name some district after the number of sons he had sacrificed to Othin. And when he had sacrificed seven of his sons he lived on for ten years in such a fashion that he could no long walk and had to be carried in a chair. Then he sacrificed his eighth son and lived for another ten years, and had to drink from a horn like an infant. Then Aun had one son left and wanted to sacrifice him, and also dedicate to Othin Uppsala and the districts adjoining it and call it Tiundaland. But the Swedes forbade him to do that, so no sacrifice was made. Then King Aun died. He is buried in a funeral mound at Uppsala. Since that time one calls it Aun-sickness when a person dies painlessly of old age.
– The Heimskringla, Snorri Sturluson, 13th Century AD
