Norse Myth: The Betrayed Brother Quiz

Answer: King Hraudung

King Hraudung was King of the Goths, and his sons were aged 10 and 8. Agnar was the eldest and Geirrod the youngest.

After rowing out to sea with the intention of catching some fish, the two princes were caught in a storm and their boat eventually came to rest on the coast of a small island.

Answer: Shy and dreamy

Odin saw the storm from Hlidskjalf and, caring for the boys, caused their boat to land safely on the small island. He and wife Frigg then assumed the form of humans and cared for the boys. They were so taken with the princes that they prolonged the winter storms so that they could not return home until spring.

Odin taught Geirrod the art of war, and told him stories of glory in battle, with the hope that Geirrod would later become a great warrior. Agnar was seen as more gentle than his younger brother, and the goddess Frigg taught him to care for his fellow man.

Answer: Geirrod pushed him back out to sea with no oars

The motives of Geirrod are usually described as unknown, but it may be that Odin's tales of glory possessed the prince to get rid of his older brother, so as to be one step closer to being king.

Versions of the story vary. Some accounts say that Geirrod returned to his father and told him that Agnar had drowned, and then waited until he became king. Other versions claim that King Hraudung had died whilst the boys were gone, and so Geirrod became king immediately upon his arrival.

Answer: Because Geirrod was cruel

Once again, there is a slight inconsistency between sources as to what happened to Agnar. Whilst Geirrod ruled as a cruel and tyrannical king, Agnar was said to have married a giantess and fathered "brutes". However, some sources say that Agnar found his way home, and worked unrecognised as a servant in his brother's hall.

As Odin and Frigg viewed Geirrod from Hlidskjalf, Frigg argued that it was better to live as a kind-hearted servant than a cruel king.

Answer: Fulla

Many gods and goddesses have maid/man-servants. Frigg is said by some sources to have as many as 11 maid-servants, but the dominant one seemed to be Fulla.

Byggvir and Beyla were husband and wife, and were the servants of the god Frey.

Like Fulla and Byggvir and Beyla, Skirnir, the man-servant of Frey was loyal to his master, and even travelled to Jotunheim to win the reluctant giantess Gerd as Frey's wife.

Answer: His dogs would not bark at the traveller

Although King Geirrod is described by most sources as being cruel, Frigg exaggerated his hostility to try and prove a point to Odin. By sending her maid-servant ahead of Odin, Frigg was able to convince King Geirrod that Odin (who was in disguise) was an evil sorcerer who meant him harm.

Knowing the wrath of her husband, Frigg knew that the outcome of this visit would be punishment for Geirrod, who the goddess still disliked for his spiteful actions towards Agnar.

Answer: Grimnir

Before arriving in Midgard, Odin dressed in his dark cloak and wide-brimmed hat. He had been successfully tricked by Frigg, as the dogs, knowing him to be a god, did not bark at him, thus signalling that he was the evil sorcerer that Geirrod had been warned about. The servants of Geirrod brought Odin before him, and the god was bound by a fire.

Answer: Agnar, after Geirrod's brother

Agnar (Geirrod's son) was 10 at the time of Odin's arrival - the same age as Agnar (Geirrod's brother) when Geirrod betrayed him.

Agnar was loved by his father and by all others in his palace. Odin also took a shine to the boy, who was the only one to offer him kindness and a drink whilst he was bound. Odin told Agnar about all he knew - about the creation of the universe and the nine worlds which were said to exist in Norse mythology.

Answer: The title of King of Goths

After being treated kindly by Agnar (Geirrod's son) whilst others ignored him, Odin told the prince, "The Lord of Men greets you. You'll never be better rewarded for the gift of a single drink." Then, Odin, who had been silent up until now, revealed his true form and declared that nothing could save Geirrod, and that none would come to help him. He also crowned Agnar as king.

Answer: He slipped and fell onto his own sword

Agnar became king and had a long and just rule.

The actions of Odin here may be seen as extreme and unnecessary, especially since most sources suggest that he knew he had been tricked by his wife into believing that Geirrod was more hostile than he was. Odin has never been viewed as a kind god, but he is a firm one, and his vengeful side was fully displayed in this tale.