Scandinavia, Iceland, Germanic Northern Europe

Norse mythology: gods, myths, and the cosmos of the Norse

A complete guide to Norse mythology: the Asgardian pantheon, Odin, Thor, Loki, the Nine Worlds of Yggdrasil, Ragnarök, and the key sources of the Eddas.

Period

2nd century CE (earliest runic attestations) — 13th century (composition of the Eddas in Iceland)

Original languages

Old Norse, Proto-Germanic

Main sources

Poetic Edda (Codex Regius, c. 1270)
Prose Edda (Snorri Sturluson, c. 1220)
Icelandic sagas
Second Merseburg Charm (runic Germanic)
Saxo Grammaticus, Gesta Danorum (c. 1200)

Gods & goddesses

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Odin, Allfather and ruler of Valhalla in Norse mythology

Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology: his sacrifice for runic wisdom, his ravens, his gathering of warriors for Ragnarök, and his rule of Valhalla.

Thor, god of thunder and protector of mankind in Norse mythology

Thor, the Norse god of thunder: his hammer Mjöllnir, his battles against giants, his fishing for Jörmungandr, and his fateful duel at Ragnarök.

Comparisons

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Gods of death across 8 world mythologies

A comparison of death deities and underworld rulers in Greek, Egyptian, Norse, Roman, Japanese, Hindu, Aztec, and Celtic mythologies.

War gods in 8 world mythologies

A comparison of war deities in Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, Japanese, Hindu, Aztec, and Celtic mythologies.