The Story of the Ragnarok

 

Ragnarok, in Norse mythology, was the prearranged death of the Germanic gods. A three-year long winter led to a final battle on the Vigrid Plain, where the gods and the rebels, the frost giants, Loki, his chidren, Fenrir, Hel and the Midgard Serpent and other enemies of the gods, fought. Ragnarok marks the end of the old world, and the beginning of a new world. Odin, who had previously attempted to prevent Ragnarok from occurring, led the gods. They were assisted by the heroic dead, those who had died in glorious battle and had been taken to live in Valhalla and await the final battle.

 

The frost giants were led by the fire god, Loki, and assisted by the unworthy dead who came from Hel, and by other monsters. Two humans, Lif and Lifthrasir, hid in a sacred tree called Yggdrasil during the battle and didn't return until after the battle. When they emerged, they settled on the remains of the world. Other survivors of Ragnarok included some of the gods, particularly Odin's brother Honir, Odin's sons Vidar and Vali, Thor's sons Modi and Magni.

 

Another of Odin's sons, Balder, was revived from the dead after the battle and will bring the world peace and happiness again. The Vikings were extremely interested in Ragnarok, and many of the Germanic peoples believed that the same type of battle would occur again. Even when Christianity began to take over their belief system, many of them still explored the idea of a Judgement Day in the same light as Ragnarok.

 

The few gods who survive will go to Idavoll, which has remained untouched. There they will build new houses, the greatest of the houses will be Gimli, and will have a roof of gold. There is also a new place called Brimir, on the place called Okolnir “Never cold”. It is in the mountains of Nidafjoll. But there is also a terrible place, a great hall on Nastrond, the shore of corpses. All its doors face north to greet the screaming winds. The walls will be made of writhing snakes that pour their venom into a river that flows through the hall. This will be the new underground, with thieves and murderers, and when they die the great dragon Nidhug, is there to feed upon their corpses.