Chapter 20, Student Web Activities, Human Heritage: A World History, Glencoe, 2001-03

Student Web Activity

Chapter 20: The Vikings
"Norse Mythology"

Introduction
The Vikings of Scandinavia terrorized the coasts of Europe during the early Middle Ages with such ruthlessness that Christians believed that the barbarians lacked any form of faith. To the contrary, Vikings worshipped several gods, and they had a rich collection of stories, called the Eddas, describing their gods and their deeds. Go to the Norwegian Online Information Services Web site to explore how Norse mythology is woven out of the Vikings' relationship with nature.

Destination Title: Norwegian Online Information Services

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Directions
Start at the Norwegian Online Information Services Web site.

Click on "language"
Click on "English."
Scroll down and click on "About Norway."
Click on the "History, culture, geography, recreation" topic.
Scroll down and click on the "Norse Mythology" topic.
Browse through the site, taking notes as you go.
Read through the information, and then answer the following questions.

1. In Norse mythology, what two elements of nature joined to create the world, and how did this happen?

2. How did the Norse gods make humans?

3. Describe the beings that were the greatest enemies of gods and humans.

4. Describe Valhalla, the world where warriors go after death.

5. On a separate sheet of paper, construct a chart matching elements of nature to the roles of these elements in Norse mythology. On one side of your paper list the form of nature, and on the other side list the way it appears in Norse stories. (Example: thunder-the sound of Thor's chariot racing by)