| Norse Mythology
I have always found Norse Mythology more interesting than Greek, Roman, or Egyptian (I'm not really familiar with any others). The incredible thing to me, is the utter hopelessness that it presents! It alone of all religions predicts utter defeat, and it was still believed in. This is incredible to me... why would one believe in something they cannot see where there is no hope?
A few who heroically die in battle will be chosen to go to Valhalla, where they get to feast until the time of Ragnorok, when they will die again, along with all of their gods. Even their gods die, and first among them was the god of light and poetry, Baldir. I don't know as much as I'd like about Norse myth, but I heard in some works they say Baldir will be reborn, along with two humans. But that still is irrelevant, because Ygdrasil, the (ash?) tree that all existance hinges on is slowly and surely dying.
I just think that a religion that praises heroism and self-sacrifice against certain and utter doom is amazing and very admirable. |