Norse Mythology

Everyone knows that Odin (Wotan) was the head male figure
of the Norse pantheon.

Anyone care to take a guess at the LEAST complimentary
appellation given to him?

[Arbiter]

Line dancing champion of the Northern Hemisphere?

Morris Dancing champion of Norway?

The Betrayer

[Arbiter]

*sulks* I wasn't far off.

Why was he called the Betrayer, please?

Odin's primary purpose in Vallhalla was to gather warriors for the final battle (Ragnarok) with the forces of chaos. His history is replete with examples of battles where he would not give the support that was promised, in order to up the kill count.


"ODIN (WOTAN) ("All-Father") -- Chief god of the Aesir, the deities of the Norse and Germanic races. Normally depicted as a mysterious cloaked figure with one eye missing, which he sacrificed to gain wisdom while hung on the tree of knowledge, Odin was notorious for his devious plotting and meddling with the affairs of humans: The Great Betrayer. Knowing that even the gods were doomed to ultimate destruction, nevertheless, his purpose was to recruit warriors into Valhalla, his great palace, for the final battle, Ragnarok."

http://members.tripod.com/~grobius/pagan/odin.htm

For a more in depth treatment of Nobility and betrayal:
http://www.inquiria.com/nz/bge/bge_noble.html

[Guv]

DerFarm, The Nordic culture and its mythology has always fascinated me. Your information was interesting.

Thanx