7803ib+Ancient+Civ+Project

Norse Religion and Rituals Isabelle Bobeki R/LA Period 7/8 Mr. Schoch June 7, 2012


 * When you hear the word Viking, do you think horn hats and big ships? The Vikings were known for their ships, and hats, but also for their religious beliefs. The word “Viking” comes from the old Iceland word “vik” which means bay or creek. The Vikings or Norsemen, came from Scandinavia where now is present-day countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Their settlements were mostly near the coast. The Viking Age lasted from 790 to 1100. The Viking age is the period where the Vikings lived. The Viking Age is no longer in existence, it disappeared a very long time ago. The Vikings were best remembered by its ships, fighting skills, and religion. The Vikings had gods, and also Christianity, **** which was also important to them. (The Viking World)  **


 * An equally important fascinating part of the Viking culture, however, was its beliefs. Religion and rituals were important to the Vikings because they praised their gods and goddesses and they sacrificed to them. We can learn more about this cultural aspect by looking at the Viking’s gods and goddesses, worship practices, and Christianity. **




 * Gods and goddesses were extremely important to Viking religion. One important god was Thor, the god of thunder, sky, fertility, and law. ( [] ). As god of law and order, Thor could control his enemies with his incredible strength and magic hammer called Mjollnir. Another god in the Viking religion was Frey, the god of fertility, peace, and prosperity. He made the sun shin **** e, the rain fall and the crops grow. Frey had a twin sister named Freya, she was the goddesses of love and death. **** Her magic powers enabled her to predict the future and transform herself into many different **
 * shapes and disguises. (The Viking World) **


 * Vikings had also a way to worship the gods. The Vikings usually did their religious ceremonies in the air by trees, on hillsides, or beside springs. The Vikings also built temples to worship in, a written account describes a temple that is a richly decorated building with carved pillars, golden ornaments, and statues of Norse deities, or gods. They also had rituals and ceremonies such as sacrificing to the gods. They also offered weapons and jewels, by throwing them into bogs or rivers. (The Viking World) **


 * Vikings also brought Christianity into their religion. It took almost two centuries for Christianity to conserve to Scandinavia. The firs **** t Christians to go there were the slaves. The first Missionaries arrived in Denmark in the 8th century. Most of them were ignored, others got killed or ended up **** as slaves. The people of Norway were persuaded to adopt the Christian faith by their kings, Olaf an **** d Olaf. Both kings used threats and violence to for **** e some of their subjects to be baptized. (The Viking World)  **


 * The Viking Age ended at the end of the eleventh century (1100). The Vikings had many raids and attacks. They attacked and raided regions such as England, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain. The Viking Age ended when these raids and attacks stopped. ( [|http://tinyurl.com/cdtdctu] [|)] We still use some Viking culture today such as Thor the Viking god. Thor is now a superhero in the __Marvel__ comics. This civilization taught us fighting skills and they taught their gods and how they praised them. (The Viking World) **

** Glossary **


 * Vikings- Any of Scandinavian people that raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th century to the eleventh century. **


 * Scandinavia- A region consisting of the countries Norway, Sweden, Denmark and sometimes of Iceland and Finland. **


 * Thor- The Viking god of thunder, the sky, fertility, and law. **


 * Mjollnir- Thor’s hammer. **


 * Frey- The Viking god of prosperity, fertility, and peace. Also had a twin sister, Freya. **


 * Freya- The Viking god of love and death, Sister of Frey. **


 * deities- A god or goddess. **


 * Christianity- The religion based on the teachings of Jesus. **


 * (All definitions found in Google.com) **


 * Image 1- [] **


 * Image 2- [] **


 * Image 3- [] **

Works Cited
 * "Hurstwic: What Happened to the Vikings?" Hurstwic: What Happened to the Vikings? **
 * 06 June 2012. **
 * < http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/society/text/what_happened.htm>. **
 * Margeson, Susan M., and Peter Anderson. Viking. New York: Knopf, 1994. **
 * "Mythology." Viking Mythology. 15 May 2012. < http://www.missgien.net/vikings/myth.html>. **
 * Wingate, Philippa, and Anne Millard. The Viking World. Tulsa, OK: EDC Pub., 1994. **