1. Norse Mythology
An Introduction

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

3. 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

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

5. Spread during the Viking Age
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

6. Major concepts in Norse Myth
Fate
Valhalla
The Nine Worlds

7. 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

8. Like Greeks because they believe in fate
………………
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

9. ----
Even though they might know the date of their fate, they lived heroically to reach Valhalla

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

11. The Nine Worlds
The nine worlds are linked together by a giant ash tree called Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil (Igg dra sill)

12. 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)

13. The 3 worlds in the middle level
Midgard-Where the humans live
Jotunheim- Where the giants live
Nidavellir-Where the dwarves live
Jotunheim (Yo Tehn Hi M)
Nidavellir (Nid a vell er)

14. 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
Svartalfaheim (sah vart tel hi m)
Niflheim (Niffle Hi M)
Muspelheim (moo spell Hi M)

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

16. Family Two
Frey’s family
Frey
Freya
Njord

17. Family Three
Loki’s Family
Fenrir
Hel
Jorgumander
Loki

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

19. 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