Germanic Europe

Ron Mordechai
Submitted to: Mrs. Yona
March 10 2009
 Table Of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Society
A. Laws
a. Lex Burgundionum
b. Lex Salica
B. Language
a. Names
b. Runes
III. Religion
A. Yggdrasil
B. Poetry and Stories
a. Poetry
b. Saga
c. Beowulf
d. Ragnarök
C. Gods
a. Odin
b. Thor
c. Loki
d. Freyja
IV. Conclusion
V. Bibliography
VI. Appendix
 Introduction
Life in Northern Europe ages ago was, in some ways, very similar to life today, and in other
ways, very different. People living in Northern Europe, specifically the area around Scandinavia
today, were called Norsemen, People of the North. Norsemen spoke Old Norse, a language almost
identical to Icelandic. The Norsemen believed in many gods, all of whom were involved in stories
of greatness and courage. These stories were written in the form of poems and songs. Related to the
Norsemen are Vikings, warriors, explorers and pirates. In this paper I will discuss the Nordic
lifestyle and religion.
Society
As stated above the Norse culture was in many ways similar to our life and in others
different. Nordic territories were ruled by kings. The king's job was to serve as a judge, a priest
when sacrifices were needed, and as a military leader in time of war. When honoring a king, town
people would build large “mead halls” and host a feast there. The mead hall then served as the
king's home until he left the town. These halls were also a place used for killing kings the citizens
disliked. The king would get invited to a feast and then, while sleeping, the town people would
burn the hall down with the king inside (talk about a “warm” welcome).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead_hall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_king

Laws
Most laws date back to the 5th – 10th centuries. Here are some examples of the laws:

Lex Burgundionum: dating back to the 9th century, Lex Burgundionum deals with laws of marriage
and inheritance.

Lex Salica: also known as the Salic law. This law deals with debt paying issues. If a man cannot
repay the lender he clears out his house and gives its contents to the lender (just like the modern
mortgage). If this still does not cover the debt, the debtor gathers dust from the house and throws it
over his relatives' shoulders. People the dust falls onto are the ones who need to pay now. (This
cycle will continue until the debt is fully repayed.)

Other laws were put together after many historical moments such as war and conquest over
other Germanic (Nordic) tribes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Germanic_law
Language
The language spoken by the Norsemen is called Old Norse. It is almost identical to
Icelandic, a language spoken today in Iceland. The language has been spoken in North Europe for
around five hundred and fifty years. Over the course of this time the language has changed slightly
and is usually split up into two groups: East and West Norse, that are then split into four dialects:
Old Icelandic, Old Norwegian, Old Danish and Old Swedish (think of British and American
English). Old Norse has 32 letters, most are taken from the Latin alphabet (see Appendix I for a
list). Old Norse, like many other languages, has sentences built from subjects, objects and verbs. In
Old Norse the verb comes first, then the object, and finally the subject. So “Vegr orminn Óláfr.” is
directly translated to “Slays the serpent Olaf” which means “Olaf slays the serpent”. In Old Norse
articles, rather than being a small word, are a suffix. This suffix changes depending on the gender,
case and number of the word. For example the indefinite (a and an) article for a subject word is “r”
so úlfr means “a wolf”.

http://www3.hi.is/~haukurth/norse/
http://odin.bio.miami.edu/norse

Names
Nordic or Germanic names consist of two words put together. For example, King Æþelred's
(an English king) name is built of two words: æþel (noble) and ræd (counsel). Examples for
prefixes are: coen, hæþ, iaru and raþ. Suffixes include ferþ, swinþ, weard and wine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_name

Runes
Runes are a sacred alphabet used by Nordic priests in order to cast magical spells. The runic
alphabet consists of 24 letters; many of these letters resemble their Old Norse counterparts while
others are completely different (see Appendix II for a list). Each letter has a name with a certain
meaning. For example the name of the runic equivalent to “F” is Fehu meaning wealth and cattle.
The name of the oldest known runic alphabet is Elder Futhark. Later the alphabet was simplified
into other alphabets. Runes are usually found written on runestones, scattered all around Northern
Europe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_Futhark
 Religion
The Norsemen believed in many gods, some of whom were good (the Æsir) and others evil
(the Vanir). They also believed the whole world rests upon the branches of a huge tree, Yggdrasil.

Yggdrasil and the Nine Worlds

The Norsemen believed in nine different worlds, all of which rest upon the branches of a
tree huge, Yggdrasil (meaning Ygg's horse). Five of these worlds rest on the branches of Yggdrasil
and the rest on it roots. Yggdrasil itself sits on a small island, next to it is a wishing well called
Mímir's Well. Mímir's Well grants wisdom to people who drink from it, in order to drink from the
well the person must sacrifice a body part (eww... gross). The nine worlds resting on Yggdrasil are
Midgard, Asgard, Álfheimr, Múspellsheimr, Niðavellir, Niflheim, Svartálfheimr, and Jötunheimr.
Midgard is the world of the humans, sitting somewhere in the center of Yggdrasil. Midgard is said
to be surrounded by an ocean. In the ocean is a huge serpent, Jörmungandr, so big it circles the
world grasping its tail with its mouth (similar to the Greek Ouroboros ). Asgard is the realm of the
Æsir, (the good gods).Asgard includes a large fortress, Valhalla, surrounded by a wall. Those who
die in combat are taken to Valhalla where they fight all day, training for the great war between the
gods, Ragnarök. At night, all those in Valhalla feast together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yggdrasil

Poetry and Stories

Poetry
Poetry was usually split into two groups, eddic and skaldic. The former being simple poems
about mythological events and the latter being a more complex poem made to praise kings, and
heroes. These poems were said, not sung like poems today. The writer of the skaldic poems was
called a skald. The word skald later became the English word scold. This reflects the amounts of
taunts and violence in Skaldic Poetry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skald

Saga
A saga is a story. Like an eddic poem, it tells about various mythological and historical
events. One of the most famous sagas in the Beowulf saga, it tells about the warrior Beowulf and
his greatness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga

Beowulf (a sample of a typical story and the longest written)

Beowulf, dating back to 800 – 1100 AD, is sometimes thought to be the most important piece
of Germanic literature. Beowulf, hero of the Geats, is invited to save Hrothgar's hall, Heorot, from
the monster Grendel. Unarmed, Beowulf slays Grendel. When Grendel's mother comes to avenge
her son's death, Beowulf follows her to her cave, and there he kills her. Beowulf becomes king of
the Geats for fifty years, at an old age his kingdom is threatened by a dragon. Beowulf and his
servant, Wiglaf kill the dragon, but at the end Beowulf is hit by the dragon's poison. He gives
Wiglaf the crown and dies. This story may be somehow related to Thor's slaying of the serpent
Jörmungandr (see below).
For the whole story go to: http://publicliterature.org/books/beowulf/xaa.php
Willis, Roy Page 205

Ragnarök
The “Final Destiny of the Gods,” Ragnarök is a series of events that eventually bring the end
of the world and the death of many Æsir (good gods). One of the major events in Ragnarök is a
war described in the poem Völuspá. The poet describes Ragnarök and the way the dead (the ones
sent to Valhalla) are recruited to fight. The poet also describes the way the gods die. After the war
the world is flooded and later two humans are born from the ashes of the people who fought, and
with them a whole new world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar%C3%B6k
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86sir-Vanir_War

Gods
All gods in Norse Mythology were mortal, the gods needed to eat certain apples so they would live
all the way to Ragnarök. Here are some of the major gods:

Odin
Odin or Óðinn, (O-thin) is the king of the gods in Norse region. Odin is associated with wisdom,
war, death and Magic. Odin removed his eye in Mímir's Well so he could get his wish for wisdom
granted. In human form, Odin appears as an old, one-eyed man wearing a cloak and a hood. Two
ravens tell Odin what goes on in the world. Odin is also a shape-changer. He can change himself
into birds and animals.
Willis, Roy. Page 196

Thor
Most of you have heard of this god, the young red-haired god of thunder, Thor (or Þórr in Old
Norse). Thor is Odin's son, he wields a large hammer called Mjolnir that, when thrown, returns back
to its owner. The hammer allows him to throw bolts of lightning. Thor rides a chariot led by two
goats that, when wounded, return to full health if Thor touches them (allowing him to eat them
when hungry). In one of Thor's sagas he encounters a huge giant that tests him on his way to
Utgard. The giant gives Thor a few tasks. One of them was to wrestle the World Serpent. Thor does
all of these tasks so well that the giant is terrified and goes away.

Willis, Roy. Page 198

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor

Loki
Part troll part god, Loki is a member of the Æsir. Loki deceives the gods and causes the death of
Baldr, another Æsir. At this point Loki loses the gods' trust and is imprisoned by them. At Ragnarök
Loki leads the trolls or Jötunns into battle. Loki fights Heimdallr (a god) and is killed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki

Freyja
Freyja also Freya, is a member of the Vanir, she is associated with love and beauty. Norsemen
prayed to her for happiness in their love. Freya is one of the most important goddesses in Norse
Religion. She is second only to Frigg, Odins wife, but seems to have been worshiped more
frequently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja
Conclusion
I really enjoyed writing this project and I hope you readers enjoyed it as well. I loved
reading and writing about the Nordic culture. Learning about the Norsemen's language was also
fun. I've always been interested in other cultures and religions and it was very interesting reading
about Norse gods and deities. This culture might be the basis for many other things we still know at
current time. For instance, the “Wishing Well” might owe some credit to Mímir’s Well. Thank you
readers for reading this project.
 Bibliography
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Mead Hall.” Wikipedia. January 5/09. March 3/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead_hall >
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Germanic monarchy.” Wikipedia. January 13/09. March 3/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_king>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Early Germanic Law .” Wikipedia. February 22/09. March 3/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Germanic_law>
Haukur, Þorgeirsson. “Old Norse for Beginners.” Old Norse for Beginners. August 8/01.
March 4/09 <http://www3.hi.is/~haukurth/norse/ >
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Rob's Old Norse Page.” Rob's Old Norse Page. December 22/06.
March 4/09 <http://odin.bio.miami.edu/norse >
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Germanic Name.” Wikipedia. January 13/09. March 4/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_name>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Elder Futhark .” Wikipedia. March 3/09. March 4/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_Futhark>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Skald.” Wikipedia. March 5/09. March 8/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skald>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Saga .” Wikipedia. Febuary 28/09. March 8/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga>
Willis, Roy. World Mythology the, Illustrated Guide. New York: Oxford
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Ragnarök.” Wikipedia. March 7/09. March 9/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar%C3%B6k>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Æsir–Vanir War.” Wikipedia. March 4/09. March 9/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86sir-Vanir_War>
Willis, Roy. World Mythology the, Illustrated Guide. New York: Oxford
Willis, Roy. World Mythology the, Illustrated Guide. New York: Oxford
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Thor.” Wikipedia. March 8/09. March 9/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Loki” Wikipedia. March 8/09. March 9/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Freyja” Wikipedia. March 8/09. March 9/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja>
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Yggdrasil” Wikipedia. March 5/09. March 5/09
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yggdrasil>
 Appendix
Appendix I: Old Norse Alphabet
Upper Case: A Á B D Ð E É F G H I Í J K L M N O Ó Œ/Ǿ Ø Ǫ/Ö P R S T U Ú V Y Ý Æ
Lower Case: a á b d ð e é f g h i í j k l m n o ó œ/ǿ ø ǫ/ö p r s t u ú v y ý æ

Appendix II: Elder Futhark Runes

Taken from: http://www.fontriver.com/i/maps/elder_futhark_map.png

 Reflection

I really enjoyed this project. I learned many new things from this project, many of which I didn't
write in the final paper. (Nor did write them in the “rough draft”) One of the main things I learned,
and also the one I enjoyed writing about the most, was the Nordic depiction of afterlife. In many
sagas there are descriptions of dead traveling from one world back into Midgard. I think this shows
the Norsemen believed that death was never permanent, and, if you are strong enough, you can
always come back to life. The part that was most difficult for me to write about was the Norse
society. I could hardly find any information about it. Thanks to this project I have finally been able
to grasp the concept of proper sentence form, and what objects are. Writing this paper felt a lot
easier than last year, and it was also more enjoyable. Once again, thank you for reading this paper.