Norse mythology

Norse mythology was one of the most famous and influential religions in the known world, alongside the Greco-Roman and Egyptian pantheons. An offshoot of Germanic paganism, it was predominant faith of Norse peoples of Scandinavia, the Kievan Rus' and the Danelaw of northern England throughout much of the early Middle Ages until it was supplanted by Christianity. The sacred texts of Norse mythology mention numerous gods, such as the hammer-wielding Thor, the one-eyed, raven-flanked Odin, the beautiful, feather-cloaked Freyja, the mischievous Loki, the protector Heimdall, the golden-haired Sif, the war god Tyr and the young prince Baldr. Aside from the gods, there existed a band of all-female warriors known as the Valkyries who serve as the protectors of fallen Vikings and guide them into the afterlife.

Much of the mythology centers on the plight of the gods and their interactions with several other beings such as humanity and the Jotnar. The home of the gods was Asgard, a mystical realm that was part of the Nine Worlds. All of these worlds were flanked by a sacred tree known as the Yggdrasil. Those who had died in the mortal world of Midgard were sent to Valhalla to reunite with their brethren. The Norse religion foretold a catastrophic war known as Ragnarok, which would result in the destruction of the gods and their enemies as well as the world being engulfed in flames. Eventually, the Nine Worlds would be reborn and life would start anew.