Norse mythology

Norse mythology may be described as the beliefs and tales of the Scandinavian branch of Teutonic religion, together with tales of heroes in whose lives gods and mythical beings play a part. Owing to the literary material available, there are more such tales than those of related tribes, though little is known about the cult. The religion sprang from a world-view dominated by the idea of Fate.

The gods
The gods were not all-powerful. The myths gave them beginnings and predicted their ends. They were as subject to fate as anyone. There were three principal gods and one main goddess: Odin, the many-named and many-natured lore-master; Thor, the gods' champion, Tyr the war-god; and Frig the goddess of love. These, together with Baldr and Vidar, sons of Odin, were known as the Æsir. Another family of gods constituted the Vanir: Njord, possibly a sea-god; Frey; and Freya, a fertility goddess. Among them was Loki, sometimes an ingenious ally, sometimes the villain of the tales. Other gods are also mentioned, suggesting that there could be no definitive version of the religion/mythology.

Parallels with other Teutonic deities
The main gods appear with variations on their names in other branches of the teutonic peoples. Odin was Wotan in Germany and Woden to the Anglo-Saxons. Thor was Donner or Thunor. Tyr was Ziu or Tiw.

Mythical beings
The gods had a mostly hostile relationship with the giants, who in many ways seem to be on a par with them. Dragons, dwarfs, and other mythical beings also feature prominently in the stories.

Ragnarök
Ragnarök, the doom of the gods, is the destruction of the gods and of the earth. Some versions of the tale indicate that it is followed by a rebirth.