Question

According to Viking mythology, Valhalla was a great hall in the grandest palace of Odin,

king of the gods. The walls of Valhalla were gold, and its roof was made of battle shields.

Vikings believed that if they died heroically in battle, they would spend eternity fighting

and then feasting in Valhalla with Odin.

To make the voyage to Valhalla, a Viking hero needed a proper funeral. This included

being buried with his weapons, his clothing, and a ship. The servants of Viking warriors

were buried with them to serve their masters on the journey and beyond. Sometimes,

instead of being buried, the fully stocked ship was cast adrift and burned.


1. How might a Viking's beliefs about the afterlife affect his behavior in battle?

2. How is this belief system similar and also different from the ancient Egyptians?

Answer 1

According to Viking mythology, Valhalla was a great hall where Vikings believed they would spend eternity if they died heroically in battle. This belief motivated Viking warriors to behave bravely in battle. The Viking belief system has similarities and differences with ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Viking mythology, Valhalla was a great hall in the grandest palace of Odin, king of the gods. Vikings believed that if they died heroically in battle, they would spend eternity fighting and then feasting in Valhalla with Odin. This belief in an afterlife filled with honor and glory motivated Viking warriors to behave bravely in battle and seek a heroic death. They fought fiercely, hoping to earn a place in Valhalla and be remembered as heroes.

The Viking belief system is similar to ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife. Both civilizations had a strong focus on the afterlife and believed in a realm where the righteous could enjoy eternity. However, there are also some differences. The Viking afterlife was more focused on battle and feasting, while the ancient Egyptians believed in a complex journey through the underworld and the weighing of the heart. Additionally, the Vikings believed that a Viking hero needed a proper funeral to make the voyage to Valhalla, while the ancient Egyptians placed a strong emphasis on the preservation of the body through mummification.

Answer 2

Vikings believed that dying a heroic death would reward them in the afterlife.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The Vikings believed that dying a heroic death would help them reap the reward in the afterlife. This belief might have encouraged them to lead a courageous life. It might have made them more aggressive and belligerent towards their enemies and foes.

• The Viking's and the Egyptian's both buried proper funerals for the dead ones. They also buried personal objects like clothes, crafts, etc along with the dead body. The difference between the Vikings and the Egyptians about the afterlife is the way how dead persons are rewarded or punished.
• The Viking's simply believed that a heroic death would be eventually rewarded in the afterlife while the Egyptians believed that each person had to cross seven gates and would be finally judged on the seventh gate by the Gods.