Thor and Greek Mythology

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Although the movie Thor is ultimately based on Norse mythology, the beliefs of pre-Christian peoples living in northern Europe, you may feel that there is a certain amount of resemblance between the Asgardians and the gods of Greek mythology. And you would be right. The ancient Greeks and the pagan Norse shared a common cultural heritage.

Both Ancient Greek and the Norse languages are based on Indo-European, the tongue of a people who invaded/migrated across Europe, India and parts of Asia about 6,000 years ago. This linguistic inheritance was accompanied by a cultural interitance, including a polytheistic religion overseen by a sky god (Zeus/Odin). Both religious systems include trickster figures (Hermes/Loki) and warrior deities (Thor/Athena/Ares).

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