Date post: | 13-Jul-2015 |
Category: |
Education |
Upload: | fruittingles2605 |
View: | 547 times |
Download: | 1 times |
Viking Religion
Viking Religion: Key Ideas
• The Norse originally worshipped many gods– Aesir – gods of the aristocracy: Odin, Thor, Loki, et al.– Vanir – gods of the people: Njord, Freyr, Freya – Other supernatural beings: giants, trolls, elves, dwarves
• Old and new religion often co-existed• In around 1000 CE Christianity became more important
than the old religion• Sources:
– Artefacts such as statues, amulets, carvings– Excavations at sites of worship – Myths recorded in the Edda and Sagas– Descriptions of practices by outsiders
Ranheim God’s House, Norway