1. Norse Mythology The collective myths of the Scandinavians (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland).

2. Viking Era There are several similarities between Norse Mythology and Greek/Roman Mythology Norse myths were codified during the Viking era: 780 - 1070 Norse myths were codified during the Viking era: 780 - 1070 Travel as far east as the Caspian sea Travel as far east as the Caspian sea Fashioned after the fall of the Roman empire Fashioned after the fall of the Roman empire Made many expeditions into Britain Made many expeditions into Britain

3. Norse Society An extension of the society that fashions it Similar to Greek and Roman Mythology Similar to Greek and Roman Mythology Explanation of the powerful forces which affect and shape it Explanation of the powerful forces which affect and shape it weather, the elements, and nature weather, the elements, and nature Gods and Goddesses Gods and Goddesses super-human powers super-human powers fraught with very human frailties and flaws fraught with very human frailties and flaws

4. Gods There are three Gods who do not have Roman/Greek/Norse counterparts There are three Gods who do not have Roman/Greek/Norse counterparts Thor Thor Son of Odin Son of Odin God of thunder God of thunder axe-hammer – Mjolnir axe-hammer – Mjolnir iron gloves and a belt of strength iron gloves and a belt of strength Athena Athena Greek/Roman Goddess Greek/Roman Goddess Daughter of Zeus and Metis Daughter of Zeus and Metis Virgin Goddess Virgin Goddess embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity Loki Loki Giant Giant Enemy of the Norse Gods Enemy of the Norse Gods Became God through Odin Became God through Odin Son is Fenris (Wolf) Son is Fenris (Wolf)

5. Paganism Europe was Christianized for almost a thousand years, but the Norwegians were still worshipping their old pagan gods. Europe was Christianized for almost a thousand years, but the Norwegians were still worshipping their old pagan gods. Cold and Heat Cold and Heat Ymer Ymer A giant troll A giant troll left armpit: a male and a female emerged left armpit: a male and a female emerged Feet: a son with six heads Feet: a son with six heads Rime Giants, sometimes called trolls, but best known as Jotuns Rime Giants, sometimes called trolls, but best known as Jotuns Audhumla Audhumla a colossal cow a colossal cow Licked rock to create first God Licked rock to create first God Created Bure Created Bure descended the gods, whom we call Æsir. descended the gods, whom we call Æsir.

6. The Vikings Teutonic people (Germanic) Teutonic people (Germanic) Great chivalry Great chivalry Barbaric cruelty (war, looting, aggression, rape and other crimes) Barbaric cruelty (war, looting, aggression, rape and other crimes) Pillaged eastern coastline Pillaged eastern coastline Killing men, killing children, and raping women Killing men, killing children, and raping women Methods of slaughtering peasant fisherfolk were horrendous Methods of slaughtering peasant fisherfolk were horrendous Galwegian warriors Galwegian warriors Impaling babies Impaling babies

7. Videoclips http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/audi o_video/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/audi o_video/