The Norse Gods: An Illustrated Introduction (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781918157260)

The Norse gods are the key players in Norse mythology, an ancient collection of narratives that evolved over centuries to explain the origins of the forces of nature around us, their impact on our lives, the nature of humankind itself, what it means to be human, our relationship with the earth and the cosmos, and our sense of place within it.

There are a number of similarities between Norse mythology and Greco-Roman mythology in terms of creation and cosmology, human-god relationships, heroic myths, the afterlife, and the concept of fate. The Norse gods possess supernatural powers and control various aspects of the natural world. They are divided into two main groups, the sir and the Vanir. The sir, led by Odin, are associated with war and wisdom (the female deities in this group are collectively called the Ásynjur). The Vanir, led by Njord, are assoiated with fertility and prosperity.

Part of what we know about Norse mythology comes from Old Norse texts, the majority of which were created in Iceland, where the oral tradition of the pre-Christian inhabitants was collected and recorded in manuscripts. This process took place in the 12th and 13th centuries. This includes works such as Saxo Gramaticus's Gestsa Danorum ('The Deeds of the Danes'), the Poetic Edda, a collection of poems from traditional material compiled anonymously, the Prose Edda, written and compiled in the 13th century by Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, and also the many sagas and tales.

What sets Norse mythology uniquely apart from others is the emphasis on courage, honour, loyalty, and the warrior code. The Norse gods focus more on natural phenomena and war, they are more human-like with their flaws, emotions, and mortality. The structure of their stories is less clearly defined with more overlapping contradictions. The Norse gods and their mythology have influenced art, literature, and popular culture for centuries, and continue to do so today.

This book is designed to be a useful introduction and an opening reference to the subject, for readers who are interested in mythology, history, deities, and the ancient Norse people, and who would like to know more.