O∂in was the chief of the Norse gods, DrCanuck. Thor didn’t kill him. Mostly he killed frost giants, and (depending on how you interpret the verse), he slew the World-Serpent and may have died himself. Unlike the Greek gods, the Norse gods were mortal.
Well, motivemagus, that Odin (Oðinn) was the top god is the picture we get from Snorri Sturluson, who was himself Christian and wrote several centuries after the period he describes. However, if one takes a look at Scandinavian toponyms, one might be excused for wondering if Tor (Þórr) wasn’t the main, or at least, most worshipped god ; indeed, in the cult, both Tor and Frej (Freyr, Frøyr) seem to have been more important than Odin. To greatly oversimplify, Tor, the thunder god, seems to have been the brawn of the operation, while Odin was the brains. Interestingly, Odin was said to have sacrificed an eye to attain wisdom - one might speculate that this sacrifice may have appealed to a Christian and strategist like Snorri, who perhaps wittingly or unwittingly exaggerated Odin’s importance….
fbrewer over 14 years ago
@snott - When you don’t understand the ‘toon, it’s OK to just say so. I promise no one will think any less of you.
It would even be OK to just not say anything. That would probably even lead most folks to think better of you.
Motivemagus over 14 years ago
O∂in was the chief of the Norse gods, DrCanuck. Thor didn’t kill him. Mostly he killed frost giants, and (depending on how you interpret the verse), he slew the World-Serpent and may have died himself. Unlike the Greek gods, the Norse gods were mortal.
alan.gurka over 14 years ago
I think you’re over qualified for the position.
hastynote Premium Member over 14 years ago
Such a simple toon!!
You all must be on medicinal smokes!
mhenriday over 14 years ago
Well, motivemagus, that Odin (Oðinn) was the top god is the picture we get from Snorri Sturluson, who was himself Christian and wrote several centuries after the period he describes. However, if one takes a look at Scandinavian toponyms, one might be excused for wondering if Tor (Þórr) wasn’t the main, or at least, most worshipped god ; indeed, in the cult, both Tor and Frej (Freyr, Frøyr) seem to have been more important than Odin. To greatly oversimplify, Tor, the thunder god, seems to have been the brawn of the operation, while Odin was the brains. Interestingly, Odin was said to have sacrificed an eye to attain wisdom - one might speculate that this sacrifice may have appealed to a Christian and strategist like Snorri, who perhaps wittingly or unwittingly exaggerated Odin’s importance….
Henri