Viking Mythology

Viking Mythology by John Grant From the Introduction of
this 128 page book: Viking mythology is Norse mythology
and Norse mythology is in turn the best recorded version
of Teutonic mythology. The Vikings were a Teutonic people
who established themselves in Scandinavia between the late
8th century and the middle of the 11th century. They were
characterized by a mixture of great chivalry and barbaric
cruelty. Their gods dictated that men should be almost
inhumanly brave in death and so it was a token of respect
to a defeated foe to give him the maximum latitude to
display his bravery. In this respect the Vikings did
though show a great deal of honesty: should one of their
number be submitted to similar tortures it was expected of
him that he should bear them without undue complaint and
should bear no grudge into the afterlife against his
tormentors. Even the most warlike of the Vikings did pay
lip-service to an ethical system. The mythology which the
Norse people have left us has had a powerful affect on our
imaginations. The list of modern fiction based on Norse
mythology is long. Viking mythology is not a single
continuous story; instead it is a set of stories – many of
them very good ones – that relate to each other only with
difficulty. From the rear cover: The whole range of Viking
Mythology covered including gods goddesses and the
afterlife. Over 100 full-color illustrations including
Viking artifacts; Compelling myths and legends told in a
lively style.