Alrek and Eirík

In the saga corpus Alrek and Eirík are presented as sons and heirs of the previous Swedish king Agni by his wife Skjalf and thus inherit rulership in the legendary past. The Heimskringla / Ynglinga saga frames them as part of the Ynglinga royal line, exercising joint kingship in Sweden; variant saga strands recorded in compilations such as the Flatey Book and other saga materials preserve differing genealogical claims about their parentage and descendants. Their origin is therefore genealogical and dynastic within the saga world rather than mythic-creation: they arise as successive figures in the saga-recorded sequence of Swedish rulers and appear where kingship and lineage are the organizing themes of the narrative (Heimskringla / Ynglinga saga; Gautreks saga; Flatey Book).

The provided saga excerpts give no physical or iconographic description of Alrek and Eirík. They are described in role-terms common to saga genealogies—kings, heirs, and rulers noted for deeds and reputation—rather than bodily detail. Available sources attest to their status, activities, and reputation (for example being 'mighty in both war and sports') but do not record appearances, garments, or distinguishing marks.

The sagas ascribe to Alrek and Eirík chiefly human, kingly attributes: shared rulership (joint kingship), notable prowess in warfare and athletic contests, and the political capacity to receive and shelter important saga-personages. The Ynglinga saga states they 'were mighty in both war and sports' (Heimskringla / Ynglinga saga). Narrative episodes record that after Vikar's sacrificial death Starkad (Starkaðr) took refuge with the kings Alrek and Eirik, showing their role as patrons or hosts within saga episodes (Gautreks saga; Víkar material). No supernatural powers or otherworldly abilities are attested in the provided sources.