In the rugged and unforgiving world of Conan the Barbarian, gods are not benevolent beings offering comfort and aid. Instead, they are often distant, demanding, or even malevolent forces. Among these deities, Crom stands out as the chief god of the Cimmerians, a figure as harsh and unyielding as the land from which he hails. This article explores the nature of Crom, his role in the lives of the Cimmerians, and his unique presence in Robert E. Howard's Conan stories.
Crom is the supreme deity of the Cimmerians, the fierce and hardy people who dwell in the northern lands of Cimmeria. Unlike the gods of other cultures, Crom is not actively worshipped. Instead, he is a grim and distant figure, watching from his mountain shrouded in dark clouds and mist, ready to pass judgment.
The Cimmerians do not pray to Crom for favors or assistance. They understand that he is a god of strength and resilience, and that true devotion is shown through action, not empty words. Still, Cimmerians invoke Crom when they need to invoke courage. Conan often exclaims phrases like "Crom and his devils!" as a curse. He is called upon when trying to gather one's courage.
Crom is said to approve of courage and tenacity, even if an individual fails in their endeavors. He values the strength of spirit that allows people to face adversity head-on which is important to people in Cimmeria.
Crom disdains worship and is offended by flattery. The Cimmerians believe that Crom has already given them the greatest gift: the power to strive and slay. This inherent strength and courage are enough to face the challenges of the world. Any further pleas are seen as an insult to this gift, implying a lack of self-reliance.
While traditional worship is discouraged, there is one permissible way to show devotion to Crom: building a monument of a mountain struck by lightning, his emblem. This symbol represents the raw power and unpredictable nature of both the god and the world he oversees.
Conan, the quintessential Cimmerian, embodies the values that Crom represents. He is strong, courageous, and self-reliant, facing every challenge with unwavering determination. He understands that Crom offers no easy answers or divine intervention, only the strength to forge one's own destiny. Conan remarks in conversation that it's best to avoid doing anything which would draw Crom's attention, as he hands out only dooms and trouble.
Despite his understanding of Crom's nature, Conan does invoke his name in times of stress or anger. These are not prayers for help, but rather expressions of defiance and a call for inner strength.
Crom only directly intervenes in Conan's life once, unasked, to save a middle-aged Conan from a dishonorable death at the hands of a malevolent magician. Crom is saving him, presumably, for a more honorable one involving overwhelming odds, heaps of mangled corpses, and rivers of blood. Conan is aware of the intervention and afterward sheepishly makes his first sacrifice to Crom since boyhood, doing it secretively for fear of others thinking he has "gone religious in [his] dotage."
In the 1982 film adaptation, Conan the Barbarian, Crom's presence is expanded upon with the introduction of the Riddle of Steel. During a theological discussion, Conan says that when he dies, he will go in front of Crom who will ask him the Riddle of Steel and if he does not know the answer, Crom will mock him and cast him away from Valhalla.
Crom's enduring appeal lies in his stark realism. He is a god for a harsh world, one where survival depends on strength, courage, and self-reliance. He offers no false promises or easy solutions, but instead challenges his followers to find the strength within themselves to overcome any obstacle.
For fans of Conan and the Hyborian Age, understanding Crom is essential to understanding the world in which Conan lives. He is a reflection of the land, the people, and the values that define this iconic fantasy setting.
