The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Odin
Contents > Chapter I: The Beginning
attestation: Odin, Vili, and Ve slew Ymir, and the flood of blood from his wounds drowned all the frost-giants except Bergelmir, who escaped by boat with his wife.
"finally succeeded in slaying their deadliest foe, the great Ymir. As he sank down lifeless the blood gushed from his wounds in such floods that it produced a great deluge, in which all his race perished, with the exception of Bergelmir, who escaped in a boat and went with his wife to the confines of the world."
attestation: Odin led the gods to the broad plain Idawold, situated above earth on the far side of the river Ifing, whose waters never froze.
"Odin, who had been the leading spirit in all these undertakings, now bade the gods, his descendants, follow him to the broad plain called Idawold, far above the earth, on the other side of the great stream Ifing, whose waters never froze."
attestation: The gods created man from ash (Ask) and elm (Embla) trees or wooden blocks: Odin gave souls, Hoenir bestowed motion and senses, and Lodur contributed blood and complexion.
"One day Odin, Vili, and Ve, according to some authorities, or Odin, Hoenir (the bright one), and Lodur, or Loki (fire), started out together and walked along the seashore, where they found either two trees, the ash, Ask, and the elm, Embla, or two blocks of wood, hewn into rude semblances of the human form. The gods gazed at first upon the inanimate wood in silent wonder; then, perceiving the use it could be put to, Odin gave these logs souls, Hoenir bestowed motion and senses, and Lodur contributed blood and blooming complexions."
attestation: Odin's goat Heidrun browsed on Yggdrasil's leaves and supplied the heavenly mead that was the drink of the gods.
"it served as pasture-ground not only for Odin's goat Heidrun, which supplied the heavenly mead, the drink of the gods, but also for the stags Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr, and Durathor, from whose horns honey-dew dropped down upon the earth and furnished the water for all the rivers in the world."
Contents > Chapter Ii: Odin
attestation: Odin was the highest god of the Northern races, personification of air, god of wisdom and victory, and leader of princes and heroes, surnamed Allfather.
"Odin, Wuotan, or Woden was the highest and holiest god of the Northern races. He was the all-pervading spirit of the universe, the personification of the air, the god of universal wisdom and victory, and the leader and protector of princes and heroes. As all the gods were supposed to be descended from him, he was surnamed Allfather, and as eldest and chief among them he occupied the highest seat in Asgard."
attestation: Odin's throne Hlidskialf was a watch-tower from which he could overlook the whole world; only he and Frigga were privileged to sit on it.
"Known by the name of Hlidskialf, this chair was not only an exalted throne, but also a mighty watch-tower, from whence he could overlook the whole world and see at a glance all that was happening among gods, giants, elves, dwarfs, and men."
attestation: Odin was depicted as a tall vigorous man of about fifty with grey beard and bald head, dressed in grey and blue representing the sky with fleecy clouds.
"Odin was generally represented as a tall, vigorous man, about fifty years of age, either with dark curling hair or with a long grey beard and bald head. He was clad in a suit of grey, with a blue hood, and his muscular body was enveloped in a wide blue mantle flecked with grey--an emblem of the sky with its fleecy clouds."
attestation: Odin carried the sacred spear Gungnir on which unbreakable oaths could be sworn, and wore the ring Draupnir, emblem of fruitfulness.
"In his hand Odin generally carried the infallible spear Gungnir, which was so sacred that an oath sworn upon its point could never be broken, and on his finger or arm he wore the marvellous ring, Draupnir, the emblem of fruitfulness, precious beyond compare."
attestation: Odin's two ravens Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) were sent out each morning and returned at nightfall to whisper news of all they had seen and heard.
"Two ravens, Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory), perched upon his shoulders as he sat upon his throne, and these he sent out into the wide world every morning, anxiously watching for their return at nightfall, when they whispered into his ears news of all they had seen and heard."
attestation: Odin's wolves Geri and Freki were fed by him with his own hands; Odin himself subsisted on mead alone and required no food.
"At his feet crouched two wolves or hunting hounds, Geri and Freki, animals which were therefore considered sacred to him, and of good omen if met by the way. Odin always fed these wolves with his own hands from meat set before him. He required no food at all for himself, and seldom tasted anything except the sacred mead."
attestation: Odin's she-goat Heidrun daily browsed on Yggdrasil's topmost branch Lerad and provided the mead that supplied Valhalla.
"Valfather kept his table liberally supplied with mead or hydromel, which was daily furnished in great abundance by his she-goat Heidrun, who continually browsed on the tender leaves and twigs on Lerad, Yggdrasil's topmost branch."
attestation: Odin gave Hermod a helm and corselet, and gave Sigmund a sword.
""He gave to Hermod A helm and corselet, And from him Sigmund A sword received.""
attestation: Odin bore over two hundred names, almost all descriptive of his activities; he was considered the ancient god of seamen and the wind.
"As Odin's characteristics, like the all-pervading elements, were multitudinous, so also were his names, of which he had no less than two hundred, almost all descriptive of some phase of his activities. He was considered the ancient god of seamen and of the wind."
attestation: The Wild Hunt (Odin's wind-ride on his eight-footed steed) was feared as a presage of pestilence or war when people heard the rush and roar of the wind.
"when people heard the rush and roar of the wind they cried aloud in superstitious fear, fancying they heard and saw him ride past with his train, all mounted on snorting steeds, and accompanied by baying hounds. And the passing of the Wild Hunt, known as Woden's Hunt, the Raging Host, Gabriel's Hounds, or Asgardreia, was also considered a presage of such misfortune as pestilence or war."
attestation: Anyone who joined the Wild Hunt's halloo with sincere faith would be rewarded with a horse's leg that would transform into gold by morning.
"those who joined in the halloo with implicit good faith would be rewarded by the sudden gift of a horse's leg, hurled at them from above, which, if carefully kept until the morrow, would be changed into a lump of gold."
attestation: The spectral dog left behind by the Wild Hunt had to be kept for a whole year and could be exorcised by brewing beer in egg-shells.
"Sometimes it left behind a small black dog, which, cowering and whining upon a neighbouring hearth, had to be kept for a whole year and carefully tended unless it could be exorcised or frightened away. The usual recipe, the same as for the riddance of changelings, was to brew beer in egg-shells"
attestation: In the medieval period, the leader of the Wild Hunt was no longer Odin but figures like Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, or King Arthur.
"In the middle ages, when the belief in the old heathen deities was partly forgotten, the leader of the Wild Hunt was no longer Odin, but Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, King Arthur, or some Sabbath-breaker, like the Squire of Rodenstein or Hans von Hackelberg, who, in punishment for his sins, was condemned to hunt for ever through the realms of air."
attestation: Odin was particularly associated with the period between Christmas and Twelfth Night, when winds blew fiercest and peasants left grain in fields for his horse.
"As the winds blew fiercest in autumn and winter, Odin was supposed to prefer hunting during that season, especially during the time between Christmas and Twelfth-night, and the peasants were always careful to leave the last sheaf or measure of grain out in the fields to serve as food for his horse."
attestation: Odin was identified in the Middle Ages with the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who lured rats from the town into the River Weser by playing his pipe.
"As Odin was the leader of all disembodied spirits, he was identified in the middle ages with the Pied Piper of Hamelin. According to medieval legends, Hamelin was so infested by rats that life became unbearable, and a large reward was offered to any who would rid the town of these rodents. A piper, in parti-coloured garments, offered to undertake the commission, and the terms being accepted, he commenced to play through the streets in such wise that, one and all, the rats were beguiled out of their holes until they formed a vast procession."
attribution: In the myth's allegorical interpretation, Odin is the piper, the rats are souls of the dead, the flute represents wind, and the hollow mountain represents the grave.
"In this myth Odin is the piper, the shrill tones of the flute are emblematic of the whistling wind, the rats represent the souls of the dead, which cheerfully follow him, and the hollow mountain into which he leads the children is typical of the grave."
attestation: Odin was in some parts of Germany identified with the Saxon god Irmin, whose statue the Irminsul near Paderborn was destroyed by Charlemagne in 772.
"In some parts of Germany Odin was considered to be identical with the Saxon god Irmin, whose statue, the Irminsul, near Paderborn, was destroyed by Charlemagne in 772."
attestation: Odin sacrificed one of his eyes to Mimir in exchange for a draught from his spring, the fountain of all wit and wisdom.
"Mimir, who well knew the value of such a favour (for his spring was considered the source or headwater of memory), refused the boon unless Odin would consent to give one of his eyes in exchange.
The god did not hesitate, so highly did he prize the draught, but immediately plucked out one of his eyes, which Mimir kept in pledge, sinking it deep down into his fountain"
attestation: After drinking at Mimir's fountain, Odin fashioned his spear Gungnir from a branch broken from the world-ash Yggdrasil that overshadowed the spring.
"Drinking deeply of Mimir's fount, Odin gained the knowledge he coveted, and he never regretted the sacrifice he had made, but as further memorial of that day broke off a branch of the sacred tree Yggdrasil, which overshadowed the spring, and fashioned from it his beloved spear Gungnir."
attestation: Odin, having glimpsed the future, became perpetually melancholy and contemplative after drinking Mimir's waters.
"But although Odin was now all-wise, he was sad and oppressed, for he had gained an insight into futurity, and had become aware of the transitory nature of all things, and even of the fate of the gods, who were doomed to pass away. This knowledge so affected his spirits that he ever after wore a melancholy and contemplative expression."
attestation: Odin visited the giant Vafthrudnir in a contest of wisdom, disguising himself as a Wanderer under the name Gangrad.
"To test the value of the wisdom he had thus obtained, Odin went to visit the most learned of all the giants, Vafthrudnir, and entered with him into a contest of wit, in which the stake was nothing less than the loser's head."
attestation: Vafthrudnir questioned Odin about Dag and Night's horses, the river Ifing, and Vigrid the field of the last battle; Odin then questioned him about creation, the Norns, and future rulers.
"the contest of wit immediately began, Vafthrudnir questioning his guest concerning the horses which carried Day and Night across the sky, the river Ifing separating Jötun-heim from Asgard, and also about Vigrid, the field where the last battle was to be fought."
attestation: Vafthrudnir recognized Odin when asked what words Allfather had whispered to Balder on his funeral pyre, and conceded he had lost the contest.
"when, in conclusion, Odin bent near the giant and softly inquired what words Allfather whispered to his dead son Balder as he lay upon his funeral pyre, Vafthrudnir suddenly recognised his divine visitor. Starting back in dismay, he declared that no one but Odin himself could answer that question"
attestation: Odin invented runes, the earliest Norse alphabet used for divination and later for inscriptions, by hanging nine days and nights from Yggdrasil wounded by his own spear.
"Odin himself relates that he hung nine days and nights from the sacred tree Yggdrasil, gazing down into the immeasurable depths of Nifl-heim, plunged in deep thought, and self-wounded with his spear, ere he won the knowledge he sought."
attestation: Odin carved magic runes upon his spear Gungnir, his horse Sleipnir's teeth, the bear's claws, and many other animate and inanimate things.
"Odin cut magic runes upon his spear Gungnir, upon the teeth of his horse Sleipnir, upon the claws of the bear, and upon countless other animate and inanimate things."
attestation: Odin taught Geirrod the use of arms and Frigga favoured Agnar; when spring came the boys departed in a boat Odin provided.
"Odin choosing Geirrod as his favourite, and teaching him the use of arms, while Frigga petted and made much of little Agnar. The boys tarried on the island with their kind protectors during the long, cold winter season; but when spring came, and the skies were blue, and the sea calm, they embarked in a boat which Odin provided, and set out for their native shore."
attestation: Odin prophesied that Geirrod would soon perish by his own sword, then revealed himself as a god; Geirrod tripped on his drawn sword and fell upon it.
"At the end of the eighth day, while Geirrod, seated upon his throne, was gloating over his prisoner's sufferings, Odin began to sing--softly at first, then louder and louder, until the hall re-echoed with his triumphant notes--a prophecy that the king, who had so long enjoyed the god's favour, would soon perish by his own sword."
attestation: After Geirrod's death, Odin rewarded Agnar for his humanity by bidding him ascend the throne and promising him prosperity.
"Turning to Agnar, who, according to some accounts, was the king's son, and not his brother, for these old stories are often strangely confused, Odin bade him ascend the throne in reward for his humanity, and, further to repay him for the timely draught of ale, he promised to bless him with all manner of prosperity."
attestation: May Day festivities in Sweden and England commemorated Odin's return after seven months of usurpation by Vili and Ve, through the annual May Ride.
"in commemoration of the disappearance of the false Odin, who had ruled seven months and had brought nothing but unhappiness to the world, and of the return of the benevolent deity, the heathen Northmen formerly celebrated yearly festivals, which were long continued as May Day rejoicings. Until very lately there was always, on that day, a grand procession in Sweden, known as the May Ride, in which a flower-decked May king (Odin) pelted with blossoms the fur-enveloped Winter (his supplanter), until he put him to ignominious flight."
attestation: Odin's first wife Jord bore him Thor; his second and principal wife Frigga bore him Balder, Hermod, and according to some Tyr; his third wife Rinda bore him Vali.
"The first among these was Jörd (Erda), the primitive earth, daughter of Night or of the giantess Fiorgyn. She bore him his famous son Thor, the god of thunder. The second and principal wife was Frigga, a personification of the civilised world. She gave him Balder, the gentle god of spring, Hermod, and, according to some authorities, Tyr. The third wife was Rinda, a personification of the hard and frozen earth, who reluctantly yields to his warm embrace, but finally gives birth to Vali, the emblem of vegetation."
attestation: Odin married Saga or Laga (the goddess of history) and daily visited her in the crystal hall of Sokvabek beneath a cool river to drink its waters and hear songs.
"Odin is also said to have married Saga or Laga, the goddess of history (hence our verb "to say"), and to have daily visited her in the crystal hall of Sokvabek, beneath a cool, ever-flowing river, to drink its waters and listen to her songs about olden times and vanished races."
attestation: Odin's other wives included Grid, mother of Vidar; Gunlod, mother of Bragi; Skadi; and nine giantesses who simultaneously bore Heimdall.
"His other wives were Grid, the mother of Vidar; Gunlod, the mother of Bragi; Skadi; and the nine giantesses who simultaneously bore Heimdall--all of whom play more or less important parts in the various myths of the North."
attestation: A semi-historical Odin led the Aesir from Asia Minor around 70 BC under Roman pressure, conquering Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
"He was the chief of the Æsir, inhabitants of Asia Minor, who, sore pressed by the Romans, and threatened with destruction or slavery, left their native land about 70 B.C., and migrated into Europe. This Odin is said to have conquered Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, leaving a son on the throne of each conquered country."
attestation: The historical Odin built Odensé, was welcomed by King Gylfi of Sweden, founded Sigtuna, built a temple there, and introduced a new system of worship.
"He also built the town of Odensö. He was welcomed in Sweden by Gylfi, the king, who gave him a share of the realm, and allowed him to found the city of Sigtuna, where he built a temple and introduced a new system of worship."
attestation: The historical Odin on his deathbed publicly cut himself nine times in the breast with his spear in a ceremony called 'carving Geir odds' and declared he would return to Asgard.
"Tradition further relates that as his end drew near, this mythical Odin assembled his followers, publicly cut himself nine times in the breast with his spear,--a ceremony called "carving Geir odds,"--and told them he was about to return to his native land Asgard, his old home, where he would await their coming"
attestation: Odin's sons Weldegg, Beldegg, Sigi, Skiold, Saeming, and Yngvi became kings of East Saxony, West Saxony, Franconia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
"According to other very ancient poems, Odin's sons, Weldegg, Beldegg, Sigi, Skiold, Söming, and Yngvi, became kings of East Saxony, West Saxony, Franconia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and from them are descended the Saxons, Hengist and Horsa, and the royal families of the Northern lands."
attestation: Odin was worshipped especially in the great temple at Uppsala, where sacrifices were made and the first toast at every festival was drunk in his honour.
"Odin was worshipped in numerous temples, but especially in the great fane at Upsala, where the most solemn festivals were held, and where sacrifices were offered. The victim was generally a horse, but in times of pressing need human offerings were made, even the king being once offered up to avert a famine."
attestation: Wednesday derives its name from Odin's Saxon name Woden; one day per week was held sacred to him.
"one day in every week was held sacred to him, and, from his Saxon name, Woden, was called Woden's day, whence the English word "Wednesday" has been derived."
attestation: Odin's Havamal lay gave his people a code of laws including the necessity for courage, temperance, independence, truthfulness, hospitality, and instructions for burial of the dead.
"Odin himself is supposed to have given his people a code of laws whereby to govern their conduct, in a poem called Hávamöl, or the High Song, which forms part of the Edda. In this lay he taught the fallibility of man, the necessity for courage, temperance, independence, and truthfulness, respect for old age, hospitality, charity, and contentment, and gave instructions for the burial of the dead."
Contents > Chapter Iii: Frigga
attestation: Odin left Asgard in anger for seven months over the desecration; in his absence Vili and Ve usurped his throne while the ice-giants invaded the earth.
"Odin, discovering this sacrilege on the morrow, was very angry indeed; so angry that he left Asgard and utterly disappeared, carrying away with him all the blessings which he had been wont to shower upon gods and men."
attestation: Odin returned after seven months, drove the usurpers away, forced the frost-giants to release the earth from their icy grip, and restored the land's blessings.
"But at the end of seven weary months the true Odin relented and returned, and when he saw all the evil that had been done he drove the usurpers away, forced the frost-giants to relax their grip of the earth and to release her from her icy bonds, and again showered all his blessings down upon her, cheering her with the light of his smile."
attestation: Odin on waking mistook the Winiler women for Longbeards and exclaimed 'What Longbeards are those?', giving them their new name of Lombards and the victory.
"when Odin awoke the next morning his first conscious glance fell upon their armed host, and he exclaimed in surprise, "What Longbeards are those?" (In German the ancient word for long beards was Langobarden, which was the name used to designate the Lombards.) Frigga, upon hearing this exclamation, which she had foreseen, immediately cried out in triumph that Allfather had given them a new name, and was in honour bound to follow the usual Northern custom and give also a baptismal gift."
attestation: Odin granted the Winilers victory and gave them a home on the plains of Lombardy after being outwitted by Frigga's stratagem.
"Odin, seeing he had been so cleverly outwitted, made no demur, and in memory of the victory which his favour vouchsafed to them the Winilers retained the name given by the king of the gods, who ever after watched over them with special care, giving them many blessings, among others a home in the sunny South, on the fruitful plains of Lombardy."
Contents > Chapter V: Tyr
attestation: Odin cast Hel into the depths of Niflheim, granting her reign over the nine dismal worlds of the dead; he threw Jormungandr into the sea where the serpent grew to encircle the earth and bite its own tail.
"Odin, from his throne Hlidskialf, soon became aware of their existence, and also of the disquieting rapidity with which they increased in size. Fearful lest the monsters, when they had gained further strength, should invade Asgard and destroy the gods, Allfather determined to get rid of them, and striding off to Jótun-heim, he flung Hel into the depths of Nifl-heim, telling her she could reign over the nine dismal worlds of the dead. He then cast Iórmungandr into the sea, where he attained such immense proportions that at last he encircled the earth and could bite his own tail."
attestation: The gods brought Fenris to Asgard hoping to tame him, but only Tyr dared feed the wolf; the gods tried two chains — Leding and Droma — which Fenris easily burst.
"Odin resolved to lead Fenris to Asgard, where he hoped, by kindly treatment, to make him gentle and tractable. But the gods one and all shrank in dismay when they saw the wolf, and none dared approach to give him food except Tyr, whom nothing daunted."
Contents > Chapter Vi: Bragi
- attestation: Odin disguised himself as a traveller and sharpened the scythes of nine thralls so keenly that they killed one another fighting over the whetstone he tossed to them.
"On his way to the giant's dwelling he passed by a field where nine ugly thralls were busy making hay. Odin paused for a moment, watching them at their work, and noticing that their scythes seemed very dull indeed, he proposed to whet them, an offer which the thralls eagerly accepted."
Contents > Chapter Vii: Idun
- attestation: Odin, Hoenir, and Loki were on an excursion to earth when they encountered Thiassi as an eagle who prevented their ox from cooking through magic; they agreed to give him as much food as he wished to lift the spell.
"One day, Odin, Hoenir, and Loki started out upon one of their usual excursions to earth, and, after wandering for a long while, they found themselves in a deserted region, where they could discover no hospitable dwelling. Weary and very hungry, the gods, perceiving a herd of oxen, slew one of the beasts, and, kindling a fire, they sat down beside it to rest while waiting for their meat to cook. To their surprise, however, in spite of the roaring flames the carcass remained quite raw."
Contents > Chapter Xvi: Vali
- attestation: Odin, disguised successively as a general, a smith, and a warrior, attempted to woo Rinda (daughter of Billing, king of the Ruthenes); she repeatedly rejected and struck him.
"His next step, therefore, was to assume the form of a smith, in which guise he came back to Billing's hall, and fashioning costly ornaments of silver and gold, he so artfully multiplied these precious trinkets that the king joyfully acquiesced when he inquired whether he might pay his addresses to the princess. The smith, Rosterus as he announced himself, was, however, as unceremoniously dismissed by Rinda as the successful general had been"
Contents > Chapter Xviii: The Valkyrs
attestation: The Valkyrs were either daughters of Odin (like Brunhild) or offspring of mortal kings; they could remain immortal and invulnerable as long as they obeyed the god and remained virgins.
"Odin's special attendants, the Valkyrs, or battle maidens, were either his daughters, like Brunhild, or the offspring of mortal kings, maidens who were privileged to remain immortal and invulnerable as long as they implicitly obeyed the god and remained virgins."
attestation: The Valkyrs were pictured as young and beautiful with dazzling white arms and golden hair, wearing silver or gold helmets and blood-red corselets; they rode white steeds through the air to Valhalla bearing slain heroes.
"These maidens were pictured as young and beautiful, with dazzling white arms and flowing golden hair. They wore helmets of silver or gold, and blood-red corselets, and with spears and shields glittering, they boldly charged through the fray on their mettlesome white steeds."
attestation: The dew and hoar frost on earth were said to drip from the manes of the Valkyrs' steeds (personifications of clouds) as they dashed through the air.
"As the Valkyrs' steeds were personifications of the clouds, it was natural to fancy that the hoar frost and dew dropped down upon earth from their glittering manes as they rapidly dashed to and fro through the air."
attestation: After his wife's escape, Volund (Wayland) was captured in his sleep by Nidud, King of Sweden; Nidud took Volund's magic sword and the gold ring and hamstrung Volund on an island where he was forced to forge for the king.
"That selfsame night, however, he was surprised in his sleep, and bound and made prisoner by Nidud, King of Sweden, who took possession of his sword, a choice weapon invested with magic powers... the king put him to the incessant task of forging weapons and ornaments for his use. He also compelled him to build an intricate labyrinth, and to this day a maze in Iceland is known as "Vólund's house.""
attestation: Volund (Wayland) killed Nidud's two sons, fashioning drinking cups from their skulls, jewels from their eyes and teeth, and giving these to their family; he also drugged and violated Nidud's daughter Bodvild.
"Vólund enticed the king's sons into his smithy and slew them, after which he cunningly fashioned drinking vessels out of their skulls, and jewels out of their eyes and teeth, bestowing these upon their parents and sister."
attestation: Volund escaped on self-made wings similar to his Valkyr wife's plumage; he declared Odin would give his magic sword to Sigmund — a prediction that was fulfilled.
"His last act of vengeance accomplished, Vólund immediately donned the wings which he had made in readiness for this day, and grasping his sword and ring he rose slowly in the air... declaring that Odin would give his sword to Sigmund--a prediction which was duly fulfilled."
Contents > Chapter Xxi: Balder
attestation: Odin rode Sleipnir to Niflheim to consult a dead Vala (prophetess), passing over Bifrost and through Helgate past the dog Garm.
"Odin, in the meantime, had resolved to consult one of the dead Vala or prophetesses. Mounted upon his eight-footed steed Sleipnir, he rode over the tremulous bridge Bifróst and over the weary road which leads to Giallar and the entrance of Nifl-heim, where, passing through the Helgate and by the dog Garm, he penetrated into Hel's dark abode."
attestation: Odin found a feast being prepared in Hel's realm and woke a dead Vala with magic runes; posing as Vegtam son of Valtam, he asked who the feast was for.
"Odin saw to his surprise that a feast was being spread in this dark realm, and that the couches had been covered with tapestry and rings of gold, as if some highly honoured guest were expected... Odin, not wishing her to know that he was the mighty father of gods and men, replied that he was Vegtam, son of Valtam"
attestation: The Vala refused to speak further when Odin revealed himself by asking who would refuse to weep for Balder — she declared she would not emerge again until Ragnarok.
"This incautious question showed a knowledge of the future which no mortal could possess, and immediately revealed to the Vala the identity of her visitor. Therefore, refusing to speak another word, she sank back into the silence of the tomb, declaring that none would be able to lure her out again until the end of the world was come."
attestation: After learning from the Vala that Balder's fate was decreed by Orlog (fate) and could not be set aside, Odin returned sadly to Asgard.
"Odin having learned the decrees of Orlog (fate), which he knew could not be set aside, now remounted his steed, and sadly wended his way back to Asgard"
attestation: Odin placed his magic ring Draupnir on Balder's funeral pyre, then whispered something in his dead son's ear that no one could hear.
"Odin, bending down, now added to the offerings his magic ring Draupnir. It was noted by the assembled gods that he was whispering in his dead son's ear, but none were near enough to hear what word he said."
Contents > Chapter Xxii: Loki
- attestation: Odin transformed a peasant boy into a grain of wheat to hide him from the giant Skrymsli, but the giant found the grain by mowing the field; Odin snatched the boy to safety.
"the god came down to earth, and changed the boy into a tiny grain of wheat, which he hid in an ear of grain in the midst of a large field... the giant Skrymsli, however, possessed wisdom far beyond what Odin imagined, and, failing to find the child at home, he strode off immediately to the field with his scythe, and mowing the wheat he selected the particular ear where the boy was hidden."
Contents > Chapter Xxvi: The Sigurd Saga
attestation: The Volsung lineage began with Sigi, a son of Odin, who was driven into outlawry after killing a man out of jealousy on a hunt; Odin aided him despite the crime.
"The story of the Volsungs begins with Sigi, a son of Odin, a powerful man, and generally respected, until he killed a man from motives of jealousy, the latter having slain more game when they were out hunting together. In consequence of this crime, Sigi was driven from his own land and declared an outlaw. But it seems that he had not entirely forfeited Odin's favour"
attestation: During the Volsung wedding feast, a one-eyed man in a blue mantle — Odin in disguise — thrust a sword into the Branstock tree, declaring that whoever could pull it out would have it as a gift.
"While the wedding feast was in progress, and when the merry-making was at its height, the entrance to the hall was suddenly darkened by the tall form of a one-eyed man, closely enveloped in a mantle of cloudy blue. Without vouchsafing word or glance to any in the assembly, the stranger strode to the Branstock and thrust a glittering"
attestation: After Helgi was slain and entered Valhalla as leader of the Einheriar, his valkyrie wife Gudrun joined him there; when Odin sent her to gather recruits for Ragnarok she left his side for earthly battles.
"soon after the spirit of Helgi had ridden over Bifróst and entered Valhalla, to become leader of the Einheriar, he was joined by Gudrun who, as a Valkyr once more, resumed her loving tendance of him. When at Odin's command she left his side for scenes of human strife, it was to seek new recruits for the army which her lord was to lead into battle when Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods, should come."
attestation: Odin, Hoenir, and Loki traveled in disguise and accidentally killed Otter (who was in his animal form); Hreidmar captured the gods and demanded as wergild gold enough to fill and cover the otter skin.
"Odin, Hoenir, and Loki once came in human guise, upon one of their wonted expeditions to test the hearts of men, unto the land where Hreidmar dwelt."
Contents > Chapter Xxvii: The Story Of Frithiof
attestation: Frithiof disguised himself as a bear-clad beggar and entered Sigurd Ring's court at Yule; when courtiers mocked him he seized one and swung him overhead.
"enveloped in a bear-hide, which he wore as a disguise, he set out on foot alone for the court of Sigurd Ring, arriving there as the Yuletide festivities were in progress. As if nothing more than an aged beggar, Frithiof sat down upon the bench near the door, where he quickly became the butt of the courtiers' rough jokes. When one of his tormentors, however, approached too closely, the seeming beggar caught him in a powerful grasp and swung him high above his head."
attestation: At the Yule feast, Sigurd Ring vowed to conquer the hero Frithiof; Frithiof swore in return that he would protect Frithiof from all harm — thus unwittingly protecting himself.
"touching the head of the animal, he uttered a vow that with the help of Frey, Odin, and Thor, he would conquer the bold champion Frithiof. The next moment Frithiof, too, was upon his feet, and dashing his sword upon the great wooden bench he declared that Frithiof was his kinsman and he also would vow that though all the world withstood, no harm should reach the hero while he had power to wield his sword."
attestation: Sigurd Ring recognized Frithiof but did not reveal his identity; he invited the stranger to remain at court and sit beside him and Ingeborg the queen.
"The king, as was the courteous custom, did not press him further, but invited him to take a seat beside him and the queen, and to share his good cheer."
attestation: Sigurd Ring revealed he had only feigned sleep to test Frithiof, found his honor equal to his courage, and prepared to bequeath Ingeborg to him as he neared death.
"Sigurd Ring opened his eyes, and informed Frithiof that he had only feigned sleep; he told him also that having recognised him from the first, he had tested him in many ways, and had found his honour equal to his courage."
attestation: Sigurd Ring died by slashing death-runes on his arm (avoiding a 'straw death') and clasping Ingeborg's and Frithiof's hands together as his final blessing.
"The old warrior bethought him that "a straw death" would not win the favour of Odin, and in the presence of Frithiof and his court he slashed bravely the death runes on his arm and breast. Then clasping Ingeborg with one hand, he raised the other in blessing over Frithiof and his youthful son, and so passed in peace to the halls of the blessed."
attestation: Frithiof raised Sigurd Ring's young son on a shield before the assembled warriors and presented him as their future king, publicly vowing to protect him until he came of age.
"Frithiof had won the people's enthusiastic admiration, and they would fain have elected him king; but he raised Sigurd Ring's little son high on his shield when he heard the shout which acclaimed his name, and presented the boy to the assembly as their future king, publicly swearing to uphold him until he was of age to defend the realm."
Contents > Chapter Xxviii: The Twilight Of The Gods
attestation: The gods rode to the battle of Ragnarok at a disadvantage: Odin had only one eye, Tyr only one hand, and Freyr had only a stag's horn instead of his magic sword.
"the gods knew full well that their end was now near, and that their weakness and lack of foresight placed them under great disadvantages; for Odin had but one eye, Tyr but one hand, and Frey nothing but a stag's horn wherewith to defend himself, instead of his invincible sword."
attestation: Before the final battle, Odin rode to the Urd fountain where the Norns sat with veiled faces, silent, their web torn at their feet — signaling that fate was complete.
"Odin once more rode down to the Urdar fountain, where, under the toppling Yggdrasil, the Norns sat with veiled faces and obstinately silent, their web lying torn at their feet."
Contents > Chapter Xxix: Greek And Northern Mythologies
comparison: The Norse triad Odin, Vili, and Ve corresponds to the Greek triad of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; both triads rule the world after defeating primal forces (Titans vs giants).
"The triad, Odin, Vili, and Ve, of the Northern myth is the exact counterpart of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, who, superior to the Titan forces, rule supreme over the world in their turn."
comparison: Norse cosmogony parallels Greek: the earth surrounded by ocean with the Midgard serpent coiled at the bottom corresponds to the Greek earth encircled by the river Oceanus.
"Northern cosmogony was not unlike the Greek, for the people imagined that the earth, Mana-heim, was entirely surrounded by the sea, at the bottom of which lay coiled the huge Midgard snake, biting its own tail... The Greeks, who also fancied the earth was round and compassed by a mighty river called Oceanus"
comparison: Norse dark elves (dwarfs) who mine underground and craft weapons are equivalent to Pluto's servants and the smith god Vulcan of Greek mythology.
"The dwarfs, or dark elves, bred in Ymir's flesh, were like Pluto's servants in that they never left their underground realm, where they, too, sought the precious metals, which they moulded into delicate ornaments such as Vulcan bestowed upon the gods"
comparison: Norse light elves who tended plants, trees, and streams are equivalent to Greek nymphs, dryads, oreades, and hamadryads.
"the light elves, who lived above ground and cared for plants, trees, and streams, they were evidently the Northern equivalents to the nymphs, dryads, oreades, and hamadryads, which peopled the woods, valleys, and fountains of ancient Greece."
comparison: Odin corresponds to Jupiter as father of gods, god of victory, and personification of the universe; Odin's spear Gungnir is the counterpart to Jupiter's thunderbolts.
"Jupiter, like Odin, was the father of the gods, the god of victory, and a personification of the universe. Hlidskialf, Allfather's lofty throne, was no less exalted than Olympus or Ida, whence the Thunderer could observe all that was taking place; and Odin's invincible spear Gungnir was as terror-inspiring as the thunderbolts brandished by his Greek prototype."
comparison: Odin and Jupiter both visited earth in disguise to judge human hospitality; the Norse story of Geirrod and Agnar parallels the Greek story of Philemon and Baucis.
"Odin, like Jupiter, frequently visited the earth in disguise, to judge of the hospitable intentions of mankind, as in the story of Geirrod and Agnar, which resembles that of Philemon and Baucis."
comparison: Odin's contest with Vafthrudnir parallels the musical rivalry of Apollo and Marsyas; Odin was god of eloquence and poetry like Apollo, and like Mercury led the dead.
"The contest of wit between Odin and Vafthrudnir has its parallel in the musical rivalry of Apollo and Marsyas... Odin further resembled Apollo in that he, too, was god of eloquence and poetry... he was like Mercury in th"
comparison: Both Odin and Jupiter claimed to be progenitors of royal dynasties: Heraclids claimed Jupiter, while the Inglings and Skioldings claimed descent from Odin.
"both gods are regarded as the divine progenitors of royal races, for while the Heraclidæ claimed Jupiter as their father, the Inglings, Skioldings, etc., held that Odin was the founder of their families."
comparison: The Pied Piper of Hamelin who attracted all creatures by music parallels Orpheus and Amphion; Odin leading the dead corresponds to Mercury Psychopomp.
"The Pied Piper of Hamelin, who could attract all living creatures by his music, is like Orpheus or Amphion, whose lyres had the same power; and Odin, as leader of the dead, is the counterpart of Mercury Psychopompus, both being personifications of the wind, on whose wings disembodied souls were thought to be wafted from this mortal sphere."
comparison: Odin's pursuit of Rinda parallels Jupiter's pursuit of Danae; both represent the fertilizing sun wooing the earth.
"Odin's courtship of Rinda reminds us of Jupiter's wooing of Danae, who is also a symbol of the earth; and while the shower of gold in the Greek tale is intended to represent the fertilising sunbeams, the footbath in the Northern story"
comparison: In the Sigurd myth, Odin appears one-eyed like the Cyclopes; both are personifications of the sun.
"In the Sigurd myth we find Odin one-eyed like the Cyclopes, who, like him, are personifications of the sun"