The Scandinavian mythological tradition fixed in 13 century gives us rather full list of the gods well identified to similar images of parallel mythological traditions. At the same time, specificity of the given mythology is shown in extreme growth of an image of the Hero and a little "novelistic" by the approach to a statement of many myths.

So, summarising, it is possible to approve that in this culture to the basic types of a structural nucleus corresponded: to the God of Sky - Germanic Tiw, Scandinavian Tyr; to the God of Thunder - Germanic Donner, Scandinavian Thor, to the God of Earth Powers - Freyr, to the Great Goddess, advantage - Freyja. In Migration period when the role of the successful barbarous leaders accepting in the teams of people has increased, torn with tribal community, the role of the Cultural Hero (Odin) has increased. Such situation was kept and during the following - Vendel period. Odin's cult has incorporated many features of cults Tyr and Freyr (Freyr as an embodiment of the God of earth Powers has not a wide social support as specially allocated priestly estate at German-Scandinavian peoples practically was not present). Is of interest that the Cultural Hero on the German-Scandinavian cultural ground practically had no tendency to splitting for secondary images (some exception makes character of Balder). Probably, this fact is connected with increased (in comparison with the Celts) value of this type in German-Scandinavian culture (in what they are close to barbarous cultures of East and Central Europe). However, on a decline of Viking Age there was a revival of reverence of the God of Thunder (Thor), apparently, connected with specificity of social conditions of this time (movement of the Vikings).

Odinn, being the founder of pagan fleeces and the patron of poets is close as well Oghma. And it shows that it is possible to compare to the big share of confidence Scandinavian got with ancient Celtic Smertrius. Their similarity presence at the Scandinavian god of the military function absent at Hermes speaks. Actually, it is possible to speak about two versions of the Cultural Hero: the intermediary between the worlds and the legendary hero. Probably, in genesis both they are consequence of splitting of a uniform image of progenitor. Hermes has not kept functions of an ancestor and soldier (there was Heracles in Greece, a hero and the founder of many dynasties and peoples, in pre-classic and Roman epoch esteemed as the god). Nevertheless, is primary name Hermes was translated as "phallus" (from here clearly image Hermes with ramheaded phallus, snakes as his symbol and presence of the Greek god near to Cernunnos on a monument from Rheims). One in the multilateral cult combined the basic part of symbolics of the Cultural Hero. For the benefit of a generality of origin Odin and Smertrius/Oghma enmity to them speaks both also monstrous wolves. Smertrius has won his opponent. But Odin was swallowed by World Wolf Fenrir in final fight. In opinion Hatt, the owner wolf-man, represented on the boiler from Gundestrup was Thunder god ( Celt Taranis ). However, in the Scandinavian pantheon Odin's role has extremely grown. This could be promoted partly by treatment of lord of Valhall as ancestor of some German peoples and leaders. (Eddic Odin has created primary people. Saxon historian Vidukind informed, that the god of the Saxes Woden connected to world pillar Herminsul, had a reputation for a primogenitor of the Hermyons. Probably, it is local variant of World Tree. Further, Halfred Monmut wrote that Woden was an ancestor of Saxon leaders Hengist and Hors. To Odin erected the genealogy and Danish royal dynasty. At last, he was considered as the founder of legendary dynasty of Velsungs (and an ancestor of greatest hero Sigurd - as Lugh was father of Ireland Cuchulain).

As, Odin became the chapter of the Scandinavian pantheon Thor has turned to his son. But, despite of it, the echo of animosities between them was kept. Odin cleverly and angrily scoffs above Thor, worth on the other coast of the river (the concept of lord Valhall, is here too important as the carrier - boatman - we shall recollect Greek Haron). Perhaps, wolf Fenrir - Odin's murderer, in initial variant of the Germanic-Scandinavian myths, also belonged to Thunder god?

Speaking about eshatology of ancient Scandinavians, it is necessary to mention that it finds out surprising similarity to similar plots of Zoroastrian Iran. Edda informs that "giant winter" which will come at the end of times. Chthonic monsters - World Wolf Fenrir and World Serpent Jormungand leaves the chasms and will be set on the world of gods. Giants will join them and demonic Loki, released from fetters. The gods and falling heroes from retinue Odin will beat against monsters and will win, but thus the majority of them will be lost.

Occurrence of the new German elites grouped around of successful military leaders (that represented "demolition" in traditional tribal structure of a society) is recognised as a historic fact. It is reflected, in particular, in the termination of mass communal sacrifices of the weapon (so-called "votive gifts"). Instead of them rich individual burial places which sometimes count an attribute of political instability (Gaimster, 1988) have appeared. It, together with contacts to Ugrian tribes, has served as the reason of Odin's eminence and Tyr's decline (there is an explanation in the appropriate myth). On subjects of art of epoch of Migration period and Vendel period process of this eminence which have achieved apogee in images on Gotland stones was fixed.

"Odin and his brothers are making the world of the dead giant Imir." (A. Fantalov 1993).

This is a typical myth about the world creation of the world creation of the primery creature body (likely Indian mythology or Chinese mythology). The gods, Odin and his brothers killed the giant Imir. Then, they made Firmanent of his skull, Earth of his body, mounts of his skeleton, ocean of his blood, clouds of his brain.We can see the Pimery Cow Audhumla and Imir' s posterity, who are lost in the waves.

Odin in the Underworld. (A. Fantalov. 2000).

Scandinavian Odin in order to increase his wisdom, devoted to himself. He was pierced with his spear and have been during 9 days and nights on the World Tree. At this time Odin's soul and have been known mysteries of Dead World (for instance - runes). Then a giant - grandfather of Odin gave him a horn with sacral honey. This theme likes descent of Christ in hell.

"Odin and Fenrir-wolf". (A. Fantalov. 2000).

According to beliefs of ancient Scandinavians, Odin will be lost in jaws of Fenrir - the World Wolf, one of chthonic monsters - children of evil Loki (two others: thee World Serpent Jormungand and the giantess Hella). For the present, chained Fenrir is oppressed in underground caves. But some day he will tear oneself and together with other monster will attack world of gods and peoples. (We can see the battle between divinity heroes and terrible wolves or dogs in armageddon of Greek mythology (Hercules and Cerber); in Zoroastrian mythology (Guyomard and the Wolf-warrior) ; Celtic mythology (Smertrius and the wolf of Taranis).

 It is necessary to tell, that the plots submitted on stones from Gotland (Viking Age) show full concurrence by that it is known from "northern literature". The woman worth between two armies corresponds to motives "Legends about Hilde" where sorceress Hilde ("Fight") becomes the reason eternal fight between her father and her husband. The significant amount of stones is devoted to display of feats of hero Sigurd. At last, the big group of stones shows images of the Scandinavian apocalypse - "Ragnarok". In Swedish runic stone we see the chthonic monsters causing destruction to gods: World Serpent, World Wolf Fenrir and the ship of dead men Naglfar. And on runic stone from Man isle (England), where the image of the big cross is cut (The Vikings were christianised in Britain early) the person swallowed by the wolf is shown. On a raven sitting at the person on a shoulder. It is possible to recognise Odin, this time perishing according to description "Edda": "the Wolf swallows Odin and to that there comes death".

Scandinavian mythology2

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