The History of English Podcast
Episode 24: Germanic Mythology
Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: May 5, 2013

Introduction to Germanic Mythology

In Episode 24 of The History of English Podcast, host Kevin Stroud delves into the rich tapestry of Germanic mythology and its profound influence on modern English and Western culture. Building upon his previous exploration of Tacitus's Germania, Stroud shifts focus to the religious beliefs and mythological frameworks of the early Germanic tribes, particularly those of the northern regions around Scandinavia.

[00:09] "I'm going to continue exploring Germanic culture, but this time I want to focus on Germanic mythology and religion and the impact that Germanic mythology has had on modern English."

Sources of Germanic Mythological Knowledge

Stroud begins by addressing the challenges in reconstructing early Germanic beliefs. While Roman historians like Julius Caesar and Tacitus provide some insights, much of our understanding stems from later sources written during the early Middle Ages, especially from Northern Germanic tribes such as the Vikings. These later accounts, while invaluable, raise questions about the authenticity and continuity of the original myths.

[00:50] "Most of what we know about Germanic mythology comes from much later written sources. Most of these later sources were written several centuries later, during the early Middle Ages."

Early Written Accounts: Caesar and Tacitus

Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars is one of the earliest references to Germanic religious practices. Caesar contrasts Germanic tribes with the Celts, noting differences in sacrificial rites and priesthood structures.

[03:15] "Caesar noted that the Germanic tribes didn't have druid priests... but Tacitus refuted Caesar's earlier statements regarding Germanic sacrifices."

Tacitus's Germania offers a more detailed depiction, correcting Caesar's misconceptions by confirming that the Germans indeed practiced both animal and human sacrifices. Tacitus also elucidates the Germanic methods of divination, such as casting lots and observing natural signs like bird flights and horse behaviors.

[07:30] "Tacitus notes that the early Germans discerned the will of the gods by casting lots."

The Pantheon of Germanic Gods

Woden (Odin): The Chief Deity

Woden, known as Odin in Norse mythology, stands as the primary Germanic god. He was revered as a war deity and the ruler of Valhalla, the hall where fallen warriors resided. Stroud highlights how Woden's influence permeates modern English through the naming of Wednesday.

[12:45] "Woden was the primary Germanic God... the day became Woden's day, or as we know it today, Wednesday."

Woden's characteristics—his single eye, mastery over wind and water, and his legendary eight-legged horse—mirror aspects of the modern Santa Claus, showcasing the enduring legacy of Germanic mythology.

[25:10] "The Yuletheim figure of Woden had a long white beard and he rode a gray horse across the sky... these aspects... influenced the figure of Santa Claus."

Tiu (Tyr): The Sky and War God

Tiu, or Tyr, akin to the Greek Zeus and Roman Jupiter, was a sky god with martial associations. Although less prominent than Woden, his legacy survives in the name Tuesday.

[18:20] "Tuesday was named after the God TIU or Tyr... the English word Tuesday stems from this connection."

Thor: The Thunder God

Thor, the thunderous warrior wielding a mighty hammer, represents another significant deity whose name survives in Thursday. Stroud discusses Thor's possible origins, suggesting he may have predated Woden in importance.

[22:50] "His name literally meant thunder in old Norse, and it comes from the same Germanic root as the English word thunder."

Frigga and Freyja: The Goddesses of Friday

Friday derives its name from the goddess Frigga, Woden's wife, though some tribes may have named it after Freyja. These goddesses, associated with fertility and love, highlight the gendered aspects of the Germanic pantheon.

[30:35] "Friday is generally attributed to Frigga, the wife of Woden... But some tribes named the day after Freyja instead."

Eostra: The Spring Goddess

Eostra, representing spring and fertility, is the etymological root of the modern word "Easter." Stroud explains how Christian celebrations incorporated Eostra's festival to ease the transition from paganism to Christianity.

[35:20] "The Anglo Saxons borrowed the goddess's name as the name of the Christian celebrations... which is why we have Easter today."

Loki and Hel: Mythological Figures

Loki, the trickster god, and his daughter Hel, the ruler of the realm of the dead, illustrate the complex narratives within Germanic mythology. Hel's name evolved into the modern English "hell," reflecting the integration of pagan concepts into Christian theology.

[40:15] "The goddess Hel... became the word for the Christian concept of the place where bad people go when they die."

Cultural Practices and Their Linguistic Legacy

Yule Festival

The Yule festival, a 12-day midwinter celebration, remains a cornerstone of modern Christmas traditions. Stroud traces its evolution from ancient sacrifices and feasting to contemporary practices like the Yule log and the 12 Days of Christmas.

[27:40] "The Germanic version of this midwinter festival evolved into a specific festival which would last 12 days... which we know today as the Yule."

Divination and Linguistic Influence

Germanic methods of divination, such as casting lots, have left indelible marks on the English language. Words like "lottery," "cast," and "auspicious" derive from these ancient practices.

[16:50] "The word cast was often used in conjunction with the concept of throwing lots... Today, if we cast our lot with someone, we're basically rolling the dice."

Beliefs About the Afterlife

The Germanic conception of the afterlife varied geographically. Northern tribes believed in Valhalla and an underwater realm for the dead, while southern and eastern tribes associated the afterlife with lakes.

[45:00] "The northern Germanic tribes had access to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, so they believed that the kingdom of the dead existed at the bottom of the sea."

This belief influenced burial practices, such as ship burials, and contributed to the linguistic development of words like "soul" and "sea" from the same Germanic roots.

[47:30] "The words sol and sea, they both derive from the same common Germanic root word... the word sol can be traced back to Germanic dialects spoken in southern and eastern Germany."

Impact on Modern English and Western Culture

The episode underscores how deeply Germanic mythology is woven into the fabric of modern English and Western traditions. From the names of the days of the week to major holidays like Christmas and Easter, the echoes of ancient beliefs persist.

[50:00] "We've seen how the religion of the early Germans had a significant influence on modern English as well as modern Christianity and our modern Western culture."

Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

Stroud concludes by summarizing the enduring legacy of Germanic mythology and hints at future explorations into the Gothic tribes and the development of the Germanic runic writing system.

[56:45] "Next time we'll look at the Goths and the written language of the early Germans."

Notable Quotes

• On Sources of Mythology:

  "Most of what we know about Germanic mythology comes from much later written sources." [00:50]

• On Woden's Influence:

  "Woden was the primary Germanic God... the day became Woden's day, or as we know it today, Wednesday." [12:45]

• On Yule Origins:

  "The Germanic version of this midwinter festival evolved into a specific festival which would last 12 days... which we know today as the Yule." [27:40]

• On Language Evolution:

  "The words sol and sea, they both derive from the same common Germanic root word... the word sol can be traced back to Germanic dialects spoken in southern and eastern Germany." [47:30]

Key Takeaways

1. Germanic Mythology's Legacy: The beliefs and deities of early Germanic tribes have significantly shaped modern English and Western cultural practices.

2. Influence on Language: Many English words and expressions, especially those related to days of the week and traditions, trace their origins to Germanic gods and rituals.

3. Integration with Christianity: As Christianity spread, it assimilated and adapted Germanic festivals and deities, facilitating smoother cultural transitions.

4. Continuity and Change: While later sources provide extensive details on Germanic mythology, discerning the original beliefs from later adaptations remains a complex task.

Looking Ahead

In the forthcoming episode, Kevin Stroud will transition to exploring the Gothic tribes and the advent of the runic writing system, marking the first instances of Germanic languages being recorded in written form. This shift promises deeper insights into the linguistic and cultural evolution of the Germanic peoples.

Tune in next time to continue unraveling the intricate history of the English language and its Germanic roots!