Vikings season 6: Who is the Viking God Odin? Was Odin a real person?
André Eriksen stars as the chief Viking God Odin in Vikings. In the series, he is portrayed as the ruler of Asgard and advisor of Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel) but whether Odin knew Lothrbok and his sons remains unknown to this day. Odin is depicted as an old wanderer, who scarfed his eye to acquire knowledge and wisdom in Vikings, similar to how he is portrayed in Norse mythology.
Who is the Viking God Odin?
Odin is one of the gods in Germanic and Norse mythology.
The name Odin translates to The Furious One in Old Norse, and he is associated with qualities such as wisdom, healing, death, royalty, knowledge, war, victory and sorcery.
In Germanic and Norse texts, he is mentioned as the husband of the Goddess Frigg.
Much of the information about Odin exists in 13th century written Old Norse texts.
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In the source material, Odin is depicted as a one-eyed and long-bearded man, carrying a spear called Gungnir while wearing a cloak and a broad hat.
He is known for having many sons, most famously the gods Thor and Baldr.
In the 11th century, chronicler Adam of Bremen wrote in the Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum that Odin “rules war and gives people strength against the enemy.”
He also detailed how the people of Uppsala had appointed priests to each of the gods and in times of war, sacrifices were made to images of Odin.
In the Heimskringla, Odin is named as the ruler of Agarsard, as seen in the TV series Vikings.
He is also described as a warrior, who travelled and conquered many lands.
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Was Odin a real person?
Unfortunately, it remains unknown if the Viking god Odin did exist.
Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl believed Odin may have been a real King in the 1st Century BC from present-day Southern Russia, before being driven out by the Romans. However, this has never been proven.
Odin is a god in Germanic and Norse mythology, but it possible he is based on a historical figure or events.
For example, in the 12-century historical accounts Ynglinga Saga and Edda by Snorri Sturluson alongside Danish History by Saxo Grammaticus, Odin is described as a real man.
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In 1902 WMH Milner wrote in his book The Royal House of Britain: An Enduring Dynasty: “The traditions of our Scandinavian forefathers tell of a great conqueror, the hero king of Asgard — Odin.
“He was so heroic a king, and so great a conqueror, that the superstition or reverence of after ages made a god of him…He led our forefathers across Europe.”
In the TV series Vikings, Odin usually appears a human figure in Ragnar’s visions.
Odin also appeared as a raven, following Ragnar where he witnessed the death of Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne).
Odin was the one to tell Sigurd (David Lindström), Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith), Hvistserk (Marco Ilsø)and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) about the death of Ragnar, as well as repeating his last words.
Vikings season 6 premieres Wednesday, December 4 on History US and Thursday, December 5 on Amazon Prime Video
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