As germanic tribes clashed and reconciled, a rich and detailed realm of the gods was created through the melding and exchanging of stories and characters that reflected the complicated historical events around them.The clash of the vanir and the aesir, or the old and new gods, is thought to be indicative of a real conflict between two tribes that later found a way to coexist.Through developing an understanding of the stories that remain, you will learn about the intricacies of ancient nordic culture.
In the first part of this manual on norse mythology you will find:The origins of norse mythologyNordic traditions, worship and sacrificeThe poetic edda and prose edda poemsViking originsThe viking army and the famous battlesAsgardiansHow norse mythology influenced modern pop cultureThe time of the endAn introduction to such a vast subject as norse mythology can be problematic as it could well fall between two stools; so packed with details as to put one off, or so vague, that one is none the wiser for having read it. This text manages a pleasing balance, succeeds in whetting the appetite and supplying excellent online resources for the reader who wishes to find out more.
