Norse Myth: Warring Gods Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fertility gods

The Aesir, who were led by Odin, were mainly concerned with the activities of men. The Vanir, however, had stronger associations with nature and fertility.

Whilst the Aesir lived in Asgard, the home of the Vanir was called Vanaheim. Both were located on the top of three levels believed to exist in Norse mythology.

Answer: A witch

The Aesir gathered in Odin's hall as the witch arrived. They grew angry with her as she began to talk about nothing but her love of gold. As she talked for such a length, the warrior gods seized her and tortured her, stabbing her with spears and eventually throwing her in the fire.

However, Gullveig was reborn from the fire. The gods attempted a second and third time to get rid of the witch, but she refused to die. This meant that Gullveig escaped and told many of how the hostile gods had treated her. Among those she told were the Vanir, who were enraged at the Aesir's lack of hospitality.

Answer: Hlidskjalf

As each god was said to have his own hall within Asgard, Odin's was known as Valaskjalf. Here in Valaskjalf was Hlidskjalf, Odin's throne. From here, Odin could see all that happened in the three levels - Asgard, Midgard and Nifflheim. Other than himself, Odin only allowed his wife, Frigg, to occupy the seat, although one myth tells us of how Frey (of the Vanir) sat on the throne without permission. From here he saw Gerd, the giantess whom he fell in love with.

Fensalir is Frigg's hall, Gjall is the horn of Heimdall - the watchman of the gods, and Gnipahellir is the name of a cave found by the entrance of Niflheim.

Answer: They spat into a vessel

From this spit, the gods formed Kvasir (although some accounts say that Kvasir was a member of the Vanir). Kvasir was so wise that there was no question which he could not answer, but his wisdom was hated by some and he was eventually killed and his blood formed what was to become known as the "Mead of Poetry".

Answer: Freya

Freya was admired by all for her beauty, and was often demanded as a ransom by groping dwarves and bold giants. Some of the Aesir were unhappy about the fact that Frey and Freya were born to Njord by his own sister, but they seemingly bit their tongues in respect of this new alliance. This fact, as well as the fact that Freya was known for her promiscuity, would later be used against her by the sharp-tongued Loki.

Nana was the wife of Balder, Ran the wife of Aegir, and Sigyn was the wife of Loki.

Answer: Mimir

Mimir, like Kvasir, was wise, but he lacked the physical prowess and authority of Honir. With Mimir at his side, Honir became one of the leaders of the Vanir, but it soon became clear to the fertility gods that Honir lacked the intellectual qualities of a leader.

Some accounts say that Mimir was decapitated by the Vanir, who sent his head back to Odin. Odin was then said to have revived the head and gained Mimir's wisdom. Another version tells us that Mimir was a giant and that he requested Odin's eye in return for providing the great god with wisdom. From here, Odin was depicted as having only one eye.

Answer: Freya, the sun and the moon

The gods were gathered by Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, in Gladsheim, the meeting place of the gods, to listen to the builder's requests. Of course, the demand was met with outrage from the gods, who did not want to give up the fairest of all the goddesses, even in return for an impregnable wall.

Answer: Svadilfari

Originally, the mason demanded 18 months to complete his task, but the gods haggled down to six. This was done on the advice of Loki, who claimed that such a feat was impossible and that they would have most of their wall built by the end, yet would be able to keep Freya, the sun and moon.

Skinfaxi was the horse of Day, Hrimfaxi the horse of Night, and Gullfaxi was the horse of the giant, Hrungnir.

Answer: He took the form of a mare and led the stallion away

The strength of Svadilfari amazed the gods - it carried unbelievable quantities of rock, saving the mason much time and effort. The mason himself was strong and worked much faster than the gods expected. So fast, in fact, that the gods began to suspect that he was a giant in disguise.

Loki stealing Svadilfari away slowed the mason's progress and prevented the wall's completion. The outcome of the union of Loki and Svadilfari was Sleipnir, the eight-legged steed which was given to Odin.

Answer: Thor

Thor's hammer - Mjollnir - was one of the gods' greatest treasures and it once again showed its use by dealing with this giant, who was cheated out of winning Freya, as well as the sun and moon. The warrior gods and the fertility gods now had a strong wall to protect their newly united community from dangers.