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Odin was the ruler of the Aesir, a group of deitiesgod or goddess in Norsereferring to the people and culture of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland mythology. Sometimes called Allfather, Odin played a central role in myths about the creation and destruction of the world. He was the god of battle and also of wisdom, magic, and poetry. His name means "fury" or "frenzy," the quality of fierce inspiration that guided warriors and poets alike. Odin probably originated in the myths of early Germanic peoples, who called him Wo3anaz. The name of the fourth day of the week, Wednesday, comes from Woden's-day, the god's Old English name. Odin was married to Frigg, the guardian of marriage.

Myths. Odin spanned the history of the Norse mythic world from its creation to its destruction. Before the...