The Aesir-Vanir War

Question 1

Old Norse societies and their language(s) are part of the Germanic language group, which is one of the branches of the very large ….?

Answer 1

Indo-European language family.

Question 2

What are the gender politics of the Aesir and Vanir war?

Answer 2

Female deities - who are said to cause trouble (Gullveig) are not treated on the same level as male deities. The Vanir are said to practice magic (the original term is seiôr), which is primarily associated with women such as the goddess Freya. In fact, when men practice seiôr they are denounced as ergo (unmanly, feline and possibly homosexual). Seiôr involves foretelling the future, casting spells, harming others though magic.

On popular interpretation relates the conflict among these two allegedly separate families of gods to an important historical event: the invasion of the -probably agricultural and matrilineal - European countries by the allegedly more warrior-like, patrilineal Proto-Indo-European tribes. Maria Gimbutas popularised the term “Kurgan people” (Kurgan is a burial mound). According to certain archeological and linguistic evidence, the Indo-European Kurgan people originally resided in the Pontic-Caspian steppe between the Black and the Caspian Seam the Caucasus and Ural Mountains, and then in successive ways migrated south into Iran and India and west into Europe.

Question 3

According to certain archeological and linguistic evidence, the Indo-European Kurgan people originally resided in the …??

Answer 3

Pontic-Caspian steppe between the Black and the Caspian Seam the Caucasus and Ural Mountains, and then in successive ways migrated south into Iran and India and west into Europe.

Question 4

The gender-political interpretation of the Aesir-Vanir war can be backed up by? (4)

Answer 4

1. The Vanir gods (Freyr, Freyja, Njödr) are fertility gods, while the prominent Aesir gods are related to more marital domains, like the Kurgan people
2. Vanaheim is said to be in the West (Europe is ti the West of the Kurgan homelands)
3. There are indications of incest int eh Vanir (Njördr married his sister, their children Freyr and Freyja were married to each other prior to their transfer to the Aesir), which (like endogamy) is said to be more common in matrilineal societies.
4. In some (not all) accounts the conflict is triggered by a female Vanir called Gullveig (gull is gold). Some scholars say that it reflects the Kurgan desire to take over the rich European lands. Many say that Gullveig is in fact Reya.

Question 5

Snorri on Vanir incest?

Answer 5

While Njord was with the Vanaland people he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their law; and their children were Frey and Freya. But among the Asaland people (= Aesir) it was forbidden to intermarry with each near relations.

Question 6

How is Gullveig involved in the Aesir-Vanir war?

Answer 6

Gullveig (“Greed for Gold”)
Her mistreatment cases the war (killed three times).
She brings magic (seiôr) to the Aesir. Because Freyja is the goddess associated with seiôr Gullveig is sometimes said to be Freyja.
The Vanir fight with magic.