Norse Mythology:
In Norse mythology, there are at least 66 gods that were worshipped. I decided to choose the main three I think of when hearing “Norse.”
Odin – Odin, also known as The Allfather, was the ruler of the Aesir. His name signifies “fury” or “frenzy,” representing the intense inspiration that guided warriors. As the god of war and the dead, Odin reigns over Valhalla. Valhalla is the place where warriors who die in battle go. So every Viking who died in battle was under his control. Odin’s female handmaidens, the valkyries, were female deities who served him by collecting the slain. His relentless pursuit of knowledge was due to the prophecy of Ragnarok, during which he met his end by being swallowed by the monstrous wolf, Fenrir.
Thor -Thor is a revered figure in Norse mythology, renowned for his might and bravery as the god of thunder and protector of humanity. Armed with his powerful hammer, Mjölnir, Thor was fiercely loyal to Asgard and the Aesir gods. One of his most famous feats was his epic showdown with Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, during the decisive battle of Ragnarok. Although Thor emerged victorious, he was fatally poisoned by the serpent’s venom and valiantly took nine steps before succumbing to his wounds.
Loki – Loki is a multifaceted and cunning character in Norse mythology, often associated with fire, trickery, and chaos. Despite his mischievous reputation, Loki played a significant role in various Norse myths due to his sharp intellect. However, in the myth of Ragnarok, Loki’s treachery reaches its zenith as he allies with the giants and enemies of the gods. Nevertheless, Loki’s betrayal comes to an end in a battle against Heimdall, the watchman of Asgard, where both adversaries deliver fatal blows to each other.
Greek Mythology:
In Greek mythology, there are twelve Olympian gods. Instead of focusing on the big three, which are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, I decided to switch at least one of them to make it more interesting.
Zeus – The reason why Zeus is considered the king of the gods is due to his heroic actions. He rescued his siblings from their father, Cronos, a titan who intended to devour all of his children. Fortunately, Zeus’s mother, Rhea, saved him from being eaten. Together with his siblings, they overthrew the Titans and established their reign. Among the three brothers, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, Zeus was chosen to rule over the sky while Poseidon and Hades oversaw the sea and the underworld, respectively. Zeus was the most powerful god, possessing the ability to control thunder and lightning. He could also transform into an animal and intervene in human affairs. Consequently, he fathered several important demigods in Greek mythology, including Athena, Apollo, Artemis, and the famous Hercules.
Poseidon – The Greek god Poseidon was known as the ruler of the sea and also had the power to cause earthquakes and destruction. Following his victory over Cronos alongside his brother, Poseidon chose to live in a grand underwater mansion. However, his desire for more drove him to interfere with Zeus’s plans, resulting in punishment: Poseidon was forced to build the walls of Troy. In ancient Greek art, Poseidon is often depicted as a mature, bearded figure holding a trident, which he would use to create earthquakes by striking the ground. Poseidon’s wife was Amphitrite, a Nereid who once fled to the Atlas Mountains to protect her virginity. With the help of Delphinus, Poseidon was able to persuade Amphitrite to return and marry him. Their most famous son was Triton, who was half-man, half-fish, and was even featured as a character in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” movie. Despite being meant to rule the sea together, Ursula’s greed and use of dark magic led to her banishment from the kingdom.
Ares – Ares is a well-known figure in Greek mythology, revered as the God of War. As the first child of Zeus and Hera, he had three siblings, but his unruly behavior made him the black sheep of the family, and none of them were particularly fond of him. His constant trouble-making caused tension between his parents, with Zeus accusing Hera of coddling him too much and making him the way he was. Ares faced many hardships due to his behavior, including losing a war against his family, being rejected by Zeus, and never finding a wife. During the war, Ares found himself fighting against his own family and friends in the Greek army. Though he nearly won the war, he was ultimately defeated by his sister Athena, who stabbed him in the back with a sharp rock. This event led many to view violence and aggression as weaknesses, and Athena’s strategic thinking was highly praised.
