Thor: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God

Thor: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God PDF Author: Jesse Harasta
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781492224761
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Thor and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!" - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966) "In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,--Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,--And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds,The mighty pledges | between them made." - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world's major religions, that so captures people's imaginations today? A better understanding of Thor's appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today's remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.

Thor: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God

Thor: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God PDF Author: Jesse Harasta
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781492224761
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Thor and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!" - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966) "In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,--Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,--And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds,The mighty pledges | between them made." - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world's major religions, that so captures people's imaginations today? A better understanding of Thor's appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today's remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.

Thor

Thor PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781979636223
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Thor and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!" - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966) "In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,--Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,--And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds,The mighty pledges | between them made." - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world's major religions, that so captures people's imaginations today? A better understanding of Thor's appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today's remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.

Odin and Thor

Odin and Thor PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781983757112
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting the gods and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the gods, the mythological tales about them, and the religious and literary evolution of them. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,--Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,--And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds,The mighty pledges | between them made." - V�lusp� Line #26 from the Poetic Edda A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world's major religions, that so captures people's imaginations today? A better understanding of Thor's appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today's remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Thor's popularity has historically been rivaled only by his father Odin. A one-eyed old man, with a gray cloak and a wide-brimmed hat leaning on a staff. A wanderer who appears when least expected, bringing triumph or doom. The god of prophecy, poetry and fate. A shapechanger. A sorcerer. The god Odin cuts a dramatic figure in Norse mythology and is still a part of the popular imagination. He is the inspiration for figures like J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf the Grey, and he still appears in modern literature as varied as Marvel Comics and Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods (2001). Alongside Thor, Odin is one of the best known Norse gods, and it's often easy to forget that he was once at the heart of a pantheon devoutly worshiped by millions of Europeans in the Middle Ages. Odin has numerous names and titles (over 200 by one account), but his best known title is "The All-Father," the co-creator of Earth ("Midgard"), humanity and all of the creatures that inhabitant this world. He is also, importantly, the god of prophecy, ecstasy, and poetry, all roles that were closely connected in the Norse world. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about both gods like you never have before.

Odin: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God

Odin: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God PDF Author: Jesse Harasta
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781492327561
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Odin and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the religious evolution of Odin. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. A one-eyed old man, with a gray cloak and a wide-brimmed hat leaning on a staff. A wanderer who appears when least expected, bringing triumph or doom. The god of prophecy, poetry and fate. A shapechanger. A sorcerer. The god Odin cuts a dramatic figure in Norse mythology and is still a part of the popular imagination. He is the inspiration for figures like J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf the Grey, and he still appears in modern literature as varied as Marvel Comics and Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods (2001). Alongside his son Thor, Odin is one of the best known Norse gods, and it's often easy to forget that he was once at the heart of a pantheon devoutly worshiped by millions of Europeans in the Middle Ages. Odin has numerous names and titles (over 200 by one account), but his best known title is "The All-Father," the co-creator of Earth ("Midgard"), humanity and all of the creatures that inhabitant this world. He is also, importantly, the god of prophecy, ecstasy, and poetry, all roles that were closely connected in the Norse world. Odin was a god of life and death as well, and was famous for taking the souls of warriors who died in combat back to his realm of Valhalla. This role was tied to his position as a god of war, a position that does not perhaps seem obvious to a modern reader for a god of knowledge and wisdom. However, Odin was the king of the gods and the master of Asgard; therefore, in the Norse understanding, one of his crucial tasks was the defense of that realm through military might if necessary. His living followers would call upon him in battle, and he was said to have taken champions and even led human armies to triumph. It is useful to compare Odin to two other prominent deities: Thor and Zeus. Thor, Odin's son, was a fellow Norse war god, and Zeus was a fellow king god. Yet in both cases, Odin differs greatly from these gods. He was more enigmatic, and his power is more indirect and subtle. Odin was a god of mysteries, of discovering hidden knowledge, and while he was mighty in battle, the stories where he shines are those where takes unassuming forms and gets others to divulge information that might not otherwise give. This differs from the other two gods' temperamental natures and their pride. Odin was always a god that plotted many steps ahead, was willing to make extreme short-term sacrifices to further his plans, and continuously worked to bend the nature of his fate. This book explores the figure of Odin, including his origins, the stories told about him, the way he was worshiped and what fragments and memories of him have survived into the modern era. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Odin like you never have before, in no time at all.

Norse Mythology: Nordic Mythology Its Gods and History

Norse Mythology: Nordic Mythology Its Gods and History PDF Author: Claude Stahl
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781521980606
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
Are you fascinated by the characters and myths of Thor and Odin, and eager to learn more about the Nordic gods, the significance of Ragnarok and the history of Norse mythology?By reading this book you will learn about the history and religion of the Norse, the background to their beliefs and become familiar with the Nordic gods. Let this book educate and entertain you! Find out about the numerous Norse gods such as Thor, Odin, Loki the Valkyries and learn of their origins and legends. You will get to know the fantastic and gloomy fate of Ragnarok, and what it meant for the gods and humans. This book reveals not only the myths of Norse mythology, but also provides the reader with historic background information about the Norse people including the Vikings and the germanic tribes; this book will explain their history, development, and the legend of Ragnarok. It reveals and explains many of the sagas and legends and you will become familiar with the most important mystic places, legends, poems and anecdotes of the Nordic gods and their meanings for humans. Don't hesitate, educate yourself about Norse Mythology, and get this fascinating book now!

How Thor Lost His Thunder

How Thor Lost His Thunder PDF Author: Declan Taggart
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351674218
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
How Thor Lost his Thunder is the first major English-language study of early medieval evidence for the Old Norse god, Thor. In this book, the most common modern representations of Thor are examined, such as images of him wreathed in lightning, and battling against monsters and giants. The origins of these images within Iron Age and early medieval evidence are then uncovered and investigated. In doing so, the common cultural history of Thor’s cult and mythology is explored and some of his lesser known traits are revealed, including a possible connection to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Iceland. This geographically and chronologically far-reaching study considers the earliest sources in which Thor appears, including in evidence from the Viking colonies of the British Isles and in Scandinavian folklore. Through tracing the changes and variety that has occurred in Old Norse mythology over time, this book provokes a questioning of the fundamental popular and scholarly beliefs about Thor for the first time since the Victorian era, including whether he really was a thunder god and whether worshippers truly believed they would encounter him in the afterlife. Considering evidence from across northern Europe, How Thor Lost his Thunder challenges modern scholarship’s understanding of the god and of the northern pantheon as a whole and is ideal for scholars and students of mythology, and the history and religion of medieval Scandinavia.

From Asgard to Valhalla

From Asgard to Valhalla PDF Author: Heather O'Donoghue
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0857730436
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Whether they focus on Thor's powerful hammer, the wailing Valkyrie, the palatial home of the gods - Asgard - or ravenous wolves and fierce elemental giants, the Norse myths are packed with rowdy incident. But at the centre of their cosmos stands a gnarled old ash tree, Yggdrasil, from which all distances and times are measured. When the old tree creaks, Ragnarok - the end of the world and of the gods themselves - is at hand. It is from this tree that Odin, father of the gods, hanged himself in search of the wisdom of the dead: a disturbing image of divine sacrifice far removed from the feasting and fighting of his otherworld home, Valhalla. And an image so problematic for thirteenth century Christians that they left it out when they wrote the myths down. From Asgard to Valhalla is the first book to show how and why the Norse myths have so powerfully resonated from era to era: from Viking-age stories of ice and fire to the epic poetry of Beowulf; and from Wagner's Ring to Marvel Comics' Mighty Thor. Heather O'Donoghue, who is an expert on Old Norse culture, shows in what ways the Norse myths have impacted on the western mind, across the fields of literature, art, music and politics. She considers the wider contexts of Norse mythology, including its origins, medieval expression and reception in post-medieval societies right up to the present. From Asgard to Valhalla is a book that will intrigue and delight anyone who is keen to understand how the Norse myths have so profoundly shaped, and continue to shape, the western cultural heritage.

Thor

Thor PDF Author: Graeme Davis
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782009450
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
In the stories of the ancient Vikings, Thor is a warrior without equal, who wields his mighty hammer in battles against trolls, giants, and dragons. He is the god of storms and thunder, who rides to war in a chariot pulled by goats, and who is fated to fall in battle with the Midgard Serpent during Ragnarok, the end of all things. This book collects the greatest myths and legends of the thunder god, while also explaining their historical context and their place in the greater Norse mythology. It also covers the history of Thor as a legendary figure, how he was viewed by different cultures from the Romans to the Nazis, and how he endures today as a popular heroic figure.

Thor

Thor PDF Author: Martin Arnold
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1441108572
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
The myths of the Norse god Thor were preserved in the Icelandic Eddas, set down in the early Middle Ages. The bane of giants and trolls, Thor was worshipped as the last line of defence against all that threatened early Nordic society. Thor's significance persisted long after the Christian conversion and, in the mid-eighteenth century, Thor resumed a symbolic prominence among northern countries. Admired and adopted in Scandinavia and Germany, he became central to the rhetoric of national romanticism and to more belligerent assertions of nationalism. Resurrected in the latter part of the twentieth century in Marvel Magazine, Thor was further transformed into an articulation both of an anxious male sexuality and of a parallel nervousness regarding American foreign policy. Martin Arnold explores the extraordinary regard in which Thor has been held since medieval times and considers why and how his myth has been adopted, adapted and transformed.

Norse Mythology: Captivating Stories & Timeless Tales Of Norse Folklore. The Myths, Sagas & Legends of The Gods, Immortals, Magical Creatures, Vikings & More

Norse Mythology: Captivating Stories & Timeless Tales Of Norse Folklore. The Myths, Sagas & Legends of The Gods, Immortals, Magical Creatures, Vikings & More PDF Author: History Brought Alive
Publisher: History Brought Alive
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 127

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Book Description
As the droplets from Niflheim mixed with the fiery depths of Muspelheim, a phenomenon occurred... Exploring Norse Mythology - The Myths, Sagas & Legends Norse Mythology is truly fascinating, it is no wonder Hollywood, writers, and game studios have jumped on the bandwagon. Whether it be influence over The Marvel blockbusters, The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, God of War and more. The Tales are Epic, The Battles are Fierce & The Drama is Plentiful! Join us on a discovery to the Marvels & Wonders of Norse Mythology, and learn from one of the most interesting civilizations ever known - The Vikings. At History Brought Alive, we are history and mythology enthusiasts who are fascinated with the secrets ancient beliefs, customs, traditions, and myths hold. As you journey through this book, we will help you peel back the layers of history that surround these fascinating stories to take a peek at the accurate accounts of the myths, beliefs, customs, and traditions as they actually were. In this book you will discover: The Most Important and Powerful Gods & Goddess What Was Life Like for The Vikings? (beliefs, customs, secrets & more) Thor - God of Thunder & The Origin of Thor's Hammer (Mjolnir) The Poetic Edda, an ancient collection which historians have used as evidence to piece together the Viking era & Norse Mythology How Norse Mythology Influenced Modern Pop Culture - Marvel, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Viking Metal & More The Legend of The Draugr (The Vikings Killer Zombie) Ragnarok: All You Need to Know About the End of the World in Norse Mythology The Viking Afterlife: From Hel to Valhalla And much, much more... As you embark on this journey, imagine yourself following in the footsteps of Odin. Odin is willing to let go of a reality, in order to be allowed to drink from the well that contains all the wisdom of the world. We welcome you to do as Odin… let go and drink deep from the well of wisdom. Start Reading This Book Today!