Comparing Greek Mythology to Norse Mythology

The mythology of the Norse (Vikings) has many similarities with the Greek myths. These myths are, by no means, identical to the Greek ones, but there are very distinct commonalities between the two. I see two reasons for this besides pure coincidence.

The first has to do with the fact that Norse myths were started during the Viking era: 780 - 1070. This gives the Norsemen many centuries to become exposed to the Greek myths. The Vikings did travel as Far East as the Caspian sea, which is further east than Greece. During their travels the Vikings could have been exposed to the stories of the Greek gods. The only two existing primary

sources of Norse mythology are the Prose (Elder) Edda, and the Poetic (Younger) Edda. These were written about one thousand to eight hundred years ago respectively.

The second factor has to do with mythology as an extension of the society that fashions it. I see mythology as an attempt by a people to explain the powerful forces that affect and shape it, that are beyond its control, such as weather, the elements, and nature. I also see gods as being characters that have many similarities with the people within the society. The gods and goddesses are powerful beings capable of super-human powers, but nevertheless are characters fraught with very human frailties and flaws. In this way they created gods that had similarities with the common man in the society. This made the gods more tangible and easier to identify with.

Most of the comparisons will be examining the similarities between major Greek and Norse gods, as well as stories that are featured in the mythologies.

Will start with the comparisons of the two with the story of the creation myth

The Norse believed that at the beginning of time there was mist and dead that was an icy region, fire which was a fiery region and a large void called Ginnungagap. Over time the fires and sparks of fire warmed the frozen vapours of mist and dead, condensed them into water and they...