Norse Mythology AN INTRODUCTION What do you mean

What do you mean by Norse? �“Norse”=Scandinavian region of Europe �This includes: Iceland Norway

It’s not a very happy place in 700 A. D. �Norse myth is not

So who were these people? �Farmers, fishermen, kings and warriors �Known mostly as Vikings

Norse mythology �Spread during the Viking Age �Due to the nomadic nature of the

Major concepts in Norse Myth �Fate �Valhalla �The Nine Worlds

Fate �Believed everything in their lives was predetermined �gods could not avoid destiny �Some

……………… �Like Greeks because they believe in fate �Unlike Greeks because the gods do

---- �Even though they might know the date of their fate, they lived heroically

Valhalla �Valkyries take heroic men killed in battle to Valhalla (a great golden hall)

The Nine Worlds �The nine worlds are linked together by a giant ash tree

The 3 worlds in the upper level �Asgard-where the gods live, Valhalla also located

The 3 worlds in the middle level �Midgard-Where the humans live �Jotunheim- Where the

The 3 worlds in the lower level �Svartalfaheim- The dark, ground world of the

Family One Modi Thor Magni Balder Bragi Odin’s Family Bor Odin Frigg Hoder Bestla

Family Three Loki’s Family Loki Fenrir Hel Jorgumander

Rank of the gods and goddess � gods: � goddesses: Odin Frigg Thor Freya

Interesting Jeopardy side note… �Our days of the week are named for the Norse

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Norse Mythology AN INTRODUCTION

What do you mean by Norse? �“Norse”=Scandinavian region of Europe �This includes: Iceland Norway Sweden Denmark

It’s not a very happy place in 700 A. D. �Norse myth is not uplifting or joyful �It is solemn and grave �This is due to the difficult life of the people

So who were these people? �Farmers, fishermen, kings and warriors �Known mostly as Vikings �Viking age was 700 A. D. to 1000 A. D.

Norse mythology �Spread during the Viking Age �Due to the nomadic nature of the Vikings, their mythology spread to far away parts of the world

Major concepts in Norse Myth �Fate �Valhalla �The Nine Worlds

Fate �Believed everything in their lives was predetermined �gods could not avoid destiny �Some gods knew their fate and could not avoid it �Even though knew date, lived heroically to reach Valhalla

……………… �Like Greeks because they believe in fate �Unlike Greeks because the gods do not control fate, they are ruled by it. �Greeks try to change fate (and fail), Norse do not �Greek gods meddle, Norse have little interaction

---- �Even though they might know the date of their fate, they lived heroically to reach Valhalla

Valhalla �Valkyries take heroic men killed in battle to Valhalla (a great golden hall) �At Valhalla, they train to fight in Ragnarok

The Nine Worlds �The nine worlds are linked together by a giant ash tree called Yggdrasil

The 3 worlds in the upper level �Asgard-where the gods live, Valhalla also located here �Alfheim-Home of the light elves �Vanaheim-Home of the Vanir (gods who can see the future)

The 3 worlds in the middle level �Midgard-Where the humans live �Jotunheim- Where the giants live �Nidavellir-Where the dwarves live

The 3 worlds in the lower level �Svartalfaheim- The dark, ground world of the elves �Niflheim- Underworld made of ice, ruled by Hel, world of the dead �Muspelheim-Underground world of fire

Family One Modi Thor Magni Balder Bragi Odin’s Family Bor Odin Frigg Hoder Bestla Villi Hermod Ve Valkyries Vidar Idun

Family Two Frey’s family Njord Freya

Family Three Loki’s Family Loki Fenrir Hel Jorgumander

Rank of the gods and goddess � gods: � goddesses: Odin Frigg Thor Freya Frey

Interesting Jeopardy side note… �Our days of the week are named for the Norse gods: Sunday-The Sun’s day Monday-The Moon’s day Tuesday- Tyr’s (the god of war) Day Wednesday- Odin’s (Woden) Day Thursday- Thor’s Day Friday- Freya’s Day Saturday-Saturn’s Day