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INDEX

Boldface indicates illustrations.

A

Aesir gods
banquet 16.1, 16.2
clashes with Vanir gods 3.1, 3.2, 7.1
council 6.1, 6.2, 8.1
definition
list
mistreatment of Gullveig (witch)
revenge on Loki 16.1, 16.2
survivors of Ragnarok (final great battle)

Afi the Grandpa 8.1, 8.2
Ai the Great Grandpa
Alfheim 2.1, 2.2, 14.1
Alfrigg (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Amma the Grandma 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
Andhrimnir (cook)
Angrboda (frost giantess)
Apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
Asgard (world of the Aesir gods) 2.1

bridge to Midgard 2.1, 2.2
construction
location 2.1
wall repair 7.1, 7.2
Yggdrasil roots
Ash trees 2.1, 2.2
see also Yggdrasil (ash tree)
Ask (man)
Astronomy 1.1, 1.2
Audhumla (sweet-tempered cow) 1.1, 1.2
Aurora borealis 14.1
Austri (dwarf)

B

Balder (Aesir god) 15.1, 15.2
in assembly of gods
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, aft.1
held prisoner by Hel
invulnerability
nightmares
Skadi’s desire for
surviving Ragnarok (final great battle)

Baugi (giant) 17.1, 17.2
Beauty, woes of 9.1, 9.2
Bedstraw 15.1, 15.2
Bergelmir (frost giant)
Berling (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Berserkers 3.1, 3.2
Bifrost (flaming bridge) 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2
Blikjandabol (Hel’s curtains)
Bodn (crock) 17.1, 17.2
Bor, sons of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 18.1, aft.1

see also Odin
Bragi (god of poetry) 17.1, 17.2, aft.1
Brahe, Tycho
Brisingamen (necklace) 9.1, 9.2, 10.1
Brokk (dwarf)

in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
metalwork 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 10.1, 14.1, aft.1
Brud the Bride
Buri (god) 1.1, 1.2, bm2.1, bm2.2

C

Clouds, creation of
Copernicus, Nicolaus
Cosmos

destruction 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4
Coyote (Native American prankster)
Creation

D

Dark elves 2.1, 4.1, 5.1
Day (giant) 1.1, 1.2
Denmark

bedstraw

history
kings
Old Norse
Dragons 2.1, 2.2
Draupnir (gold ring) 6.1, 6.2, 14.1, aft.1
Dreng the Strong
Dvalinn (dwarf) 6.1, 9.1, 9.2
Dwarfs 1.1, 2.1

E

Eagle (eater of the gods’ meal) 12.1, 12.2
Eagle (on Yggdrasil) 2.1, 2.2
Edda the Great Grandma 8.1, 8.2
Eddic poetry 17.1, aft.1
Eldhrimnir (cauldron)
Eldir (servant)
Elli (giantess) 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
Embla (woman)
Erzulie Fréda Dahomey (voodoo spirit of love)

F

Fadir the Father
Farbauti (giant)
Fenrir (wolf) fm1.1

as captive 5.1, 5.2, 18.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
as Loki’s child 5.1, 5.2, 18.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 5.1, 5.2, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
Fimafeng (servant)
Fire giants 2.1, 18.1
Fjalar (cock)
Fjalar (dwarf) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Folkvang (heavenly field)
Forseti (Aesir god)
Freki (wolf)
Frey (god) fm1.1, 14.1
in assembly of gods
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
Gullinbursti (golden-bristled boar) 6.1, 8.1
love for Gerd 14.1, 14.2, 14.3
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard 3.1, 14.1

Skidbladnir (ship)
sword 13.1, 14.1
Freyja (goddess) fm1.1
beauty 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 12.1
Brisingamen (necklace) 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 10.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
desired by mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2
falcon-feather cloak 9.1, 10.1, 12.1, 12.2
gathering fallen human warriors
search for Od 9.1, 9.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard 3.1, 9.1
shame
Thor’s hammer
Frigg (Odin’s wife) fm1.1
assistance in childbirth 15.1, 15.2
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
as goddess of love
as head goddess 15.1, 15.2
inconsistencies
as mother 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5
Frost giants
battles with sons of Bor
creation 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
home in Jotunheim 2.1, 4.1, 14.1
Kvasir’s poetry
Ragnarok (final great battle)
theft of Thor’s hammer 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Fulnir the Stinker

G

Galar (dwarf) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Galilei, Galileo
Garm (Hel’s hound) 2.1, 5.1, 18.1, 18.2
Gerd (giantess) fm1.1

in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
Frey’s love for 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4
inconsistencies
Geri (wolf)
Gersemi
Gilling (giant) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3
Ginnungagap (vast emptiness) 1.1, 1.2
Gjallarhorn (Heimdall’s horn) 8.1, 8.2, 13.1, 18.1, aft.1
Gladsheim (Aesir court) 2.1, 7.1, 10.1, 12.1

Gleipnir (chain)
Grer (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Gullinbursti (golden-bristled boar) 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 8.1, 14.1
Gullinkambi (cock)
Gulltopp (Heimdall’s horse)
Gullveig (witch)
Gungnir (Odin’s spear)

as gift from Loki 6.1, 6.2
making of
piercing Odin
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
runes 4.1, 6.1, 6.2
Gunnlod (giantess) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Gymir (giant) 14.1, 14.2

H

Hair 6.1, 6.2
Hati Hrodvitnisson (wolf) 1.1, 18.1
Heidrun (goat) 2.1, 2.2, 3.1
Heimdall (Aesir god)

in assembly of gods 4.1, 7.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
children 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
Gjallarhorn (horn) 8.1, 8.2, 13.1, aft.1
as guard of Asgard 7.1, 8.1, 13.1
Hofud (sword)
power of nine
Ragnarok (final great battle) 8.1, 18.1, 18.2
Thor’s hammer
Hel (monster) fm1.1
Balder’s death
Balder’s imprisonment 5.1, 5.2
banishment to Niflheim
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
death of Odin’s sons
presiding over realm of the dead 2.1, 5.1, 5.2
Hermes (Greek god)
Hermod (Odin’s son) 15.1, aft.1
Hildisvini (Freyja’s boar)
Hlidskjalf (Odin’s high seat) 2.1, 4.1, 12.1, 14.1, 14.2
Hnoss
Hod (Aesir god) 15.1
in assembly of gods

Balder’s death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
character
death
surviving Ragnarok (final great battle)
Hoenir (god) 3.1, 12.1, 18.1
Hofud (sword)
Horses 7.1, 7.2
Hrimfaxi (horse)
Hugi (giant) 11.1, 11.2
Huginn (Odin’s raven) 4.1, 4.2
Humans
creation
destinies 2.1, 2.2
destruction of cosmos 18.1, 18.2
fate of fallen warriors 3.1, 3.2
fragility
home in Midgard 1.1, 1.2, 2.1
origin of peasant 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
origin of rich and royal people 8.1, 8.2
origin of slaves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
survivors of Ragnarok (final great battle)
in Valhalla
Hungr (Hel’s dish)
Hvergelmir (spring)
Hymir (giant)

I

Iceland
environment itr.1, 18.1, 18.2
founders 8.1, 18.1
history
horses
medieval women’s hair
Norse migration to 18.1, 18.2
poetry and song itr.1, 17.1, 17.2
sagas 3.1, 3.2, aft.1, aft.2, aft.3

Idunn fm1.1
apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 14.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
marriage 17.1, 17.2

J

Jarl the Earl
Jarngreip (Thor’s iron gloves)
Jormungand (serpent) fm1.1

in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
in Icelandic manuscript aft.1
as Loki’s child 5.1, 5.2
as monster serpent 5.1, 5.2, 11.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 5.1, 18.1, 18.2
Jotunheim 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 5.1

K

Karl the Free Man 8.1, 8.2
Kepler, Johannes
Kings, origins 8.1, 8.2
Kleggi the Horsefly
Kor (Hel’s couch)
Kumba the Stupid
Kvasir (god)

in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
creation
death
knowledge 16.1, 17.1
poetry 17.1, 17.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard
trapping Loki

L

La (sense)
Language
Laufey (goddess)
Lif (human) 18.1, 18.2
Lifthrasir (human) 18.1, 18.2
Lodur
Logi (giant) 11.1, 11.2
Loki fm1.1

at Aesir banquet
Aesir’s revenge on 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4
Asgard wall repair
Balder’s death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 in cast of characters 184, bm2.1
death of Odin’s sons
Freyja and her necklace 9.1, 9.2, 9.3
house in the mountains

hunting giants with Thor 11.1, 11.2
Idunn’s apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 13.1
inconsistencies aft.1, aft.2, aft.3
insulting Aesir gods
monstrous children
as Odin’s blood brother 5.1, 16.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 8.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
shape-shifting 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1, 9.2, 13.1, 16.1, 16.2
spearing eagle 12.1, 12.2
telling jokes 13.1, 13.2
Thor and his hammer 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
as trickster 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
vengeance 15.1, 16.1

M

Magni (Thor’s son)
Mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Megingjord (Thor’s belt)
Midgard 2.1

bridge to Asgard 2.1, 2.2
creation
humans 1.1, 1.2, 2.1
Midnight sun
Mimir (god) 3.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
guarding Mimisbrunn (well)
Ragnarok (final great battle)
sent by Aesir to Vanaheim
wisdom
Mimisbrunn (well) 4.1, 8.1, 18.1
Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer)
forging of
as gift from dwarfs 6.1, 6.2
magical powers 6.1, 7.1, 11.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
stolen by frost giants 10.1, 10.2
wounding giants 11.1, 11.2
Modi (Thor’s son)
Modir the Mother
Moon
astronomy 1.1, 1.2
creation 1.1, 1.2
desired by mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2

Ragnarok (final great battle)
Muninn (Odin’s raven) 4.1, 4.2
Muspell (south) 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2

N

Naglfar (boat)
Names
Nari (Loki’s son) 16.1, 16.2
Nidavellir 2.1, 2.2
Nidhogg (dragon) 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 18.1, 18.2
Niflheim (north)

creation
as Hel’s realm 2.1, 5.1
location 2.1, 2.2
prophetess
rock giant in
Night (giantess) 1.1, 1.2
Nine, power of
Njord (Vanir god)
in assembly of gods
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
concern for Frey
sent by Vanir to Asgard
Skadi and 13.1, 13.2
Nordri (dwarf)
Norns (giantesses) 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1
Norse culture
berserkers
cosmos
diet 11.1, 11.2, 12.1, 12.2
health and medicine 4.1, 12.1
horses 7.1, 7.2
introduction
names
number nine
poetry 17.1, aft.1
skiing 13.1, 13.2
snakes 16.1, 16.2
time line
volcanoes 18.1, 18.2
Norway
environment itr.1, 14.1, 14.2
history

introduction
snakes

O

Od (Freyja’s husband)
Od (mind)
Odin (father god) fm1.1

Aesir banquet
as Allfather 2.1, 2.2
Asgard wall repair
Balder’s death
Balder’s nightmares
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
clashes with Vanir gods
death 5.1, 5.2
Draupnir (gold ring)
father and grandfather
Freyja’s necklace
friendship with Mimir 3.1, 3.2
Gungnir (spear)
Idunn’s apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
inconsistencies aft.1, aft.2
killing Ymir 1.1, 1.2
as Loki’s blood brother 5.1, 16.1
Loki’s children and
lust for knowledge 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 17.1, 17.2
power of nine
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
ravens 4.1, 4.2
role in creation 1.1, 1.2
rule over Asgard
shape-shifting 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Skadi’s choice of husband 13.1, 13.2, 13.3
Sleipnir (horse) 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
teeth
treatment of Frigg
Valaskjalf hall
Valhalla
vengeance
wisdom 3.1, 5.1
wolves
Odrorir (kettle) 17.1, 17.2
Okkvainkalfa of the Fat Legs

Old Norse (language) itr.1, fm1.1
Ond (breath)

P

Peasants, origins of 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
People see Humans
Poetry 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, aft.1
Poisonous snakes 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5

R

Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
destruction beforehand 18.1
humans 3.1, 4.1
Loki’s children 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
start of 5.1, 8.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
Surt’s flaming sword 13.1, 14.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
wolves catching Sun and Moon 3.1, 18.1

Ratatosk (squirrel) 2.1, 2.2
Rich and royal people, origins of 8.1, 8.2
Rindr (giantess)
Rock giants 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Roskva (farmer’s daughter) 11.1, 11.2

S

Saehrimnir (beast)
Sami people
Serpentine dragons 2.1, 2.2
Servants and slaves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
Shape-shifting 5.1, 5.2

Loki 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1, 9.2, 13.1, 16.1, 16.2
Odin 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Thjazi 12.1, 13.1
Sif (Thor’s wife) 6.1, 6.2
Sigyn (Loki’s wife) 16.1
Sindri (dwarf) 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 10.1, bm2.1, bm2.2
Skadi (Thjazi’s daughter) 13.1, 13.2
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
choosing husband by his feet 13.1, 13.2
laughing at Loki’s joke 13.1, 13.2
marriage to Njord 13.1, 13.2, 13.3

revenge on Loki 16.1, 16.2
Skaldic poetry 17.1, aft.1
Skidbladnir (magical ship) 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 14.1
Skiing 13.1, 13.2
Skinfaxi (horse)
Skirnir (Frey’s servant)

in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
Fenrir’s chain
Frey and Gerd 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, aft.1
Skoll (wolf) 1.1, 1.2, 18.1
Skrymir (giant) 11.1, 11.2, bm2.1, bm2.2
Skuld (Necessity)
Sky, creation of 1.1, 1.2
Slaves and servants 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
Sleipnir (Odin’s horse)
as Loki’s child
as Odin’s horse 7.1, 15.1, 15.2, 18.1
Ragnarok (final great battle)
stone carving 7.1, 7.2
Smid the Craftsman
Snakes, poisonous 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5
Snor
Snorri (Icelander)
Son (crock) 17.1, 17.2
Sons of Ivaldi
Stags 2.1, 2.2
Stars, creation of
Sudri (dwarf)
Sult (Hel’s knife)
Sun
astronomy 1.1, 1.2
creation 1.1, 1.2
desired by mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
Surt (giant) 13.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
Suttung (giant) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3
Svadilfari (stallion) 7.1, 7.2
Svarri the Proud
Svartalfheim 2.1, 2.2
Swords

T

Tanngnjost (Thor’s goat)

Tanngrisnir (Thor’s goat)
Thir the Drudge
Thjalfi (farmer’s son) 11.1, 11.2
Thjazi (giant) 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 13.1, 13.2
Thokk (giantess)
Thor (Aesir god) fm1.1

appearance
in assembly of gods
attacking rock giant
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
challenges from giants 11.1, 11.2
death 5.1, 5.2
enjoying Loki’s company 7.1, 10.1
greed 11.1, 11.2
Jormungand and
Mjolnir (hammer) 6.1, 7.1, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4
Ragnarok (final great battle)
revenge on Loki 16.1, 16.2, 16.3
Sif (wife) 6.1, 6.2
treasures
Thraell the Servant 8.1, 8.2
Thralls (slaves or servants) 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
Thrym (frost giant) 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, bm2.1, bm2.2
Time line
Tricksters 5.1, 5.2
Tyr (Aesir god) 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 18.1

U

Ull (Aesir god)
Urd (Fate)
Urdarbrunn (sacred well) 4.1, 18.1
Utgard 11.1, 11.2

V

Valaskjalf (Odin’s hall) 2.1, 3.1
Valhalla (Asgard hall) 3.1, 3.2, aft.1
Vali (Loki’s son) 16.1, 16.2
Vali (Odin’s son) 15.1, 18.1
Valkyries (Odin’s helper maids) 3.1, 3.2, bm2.1, bm2.2
Vanaheim (world of the Vanir gods) 2.1, 2.2
Vanir gods

clashes with Aesir gods 3.1, 3.2, 7.1

cutting off Mimir’s head 3.1, 3.2
Vanaheim
Ve (Bor’s son) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Verdandi (Being)
Vestri (dwarf)
Vidar (Aesir god) 4.1, 18.1, 18.2
Vigrid (battlefield)
Vikings 8.1, 8.2
Vili (Bor’s son) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Vingolf (hall for goddesses)
Volcanoes 18.1, 18.2

W

Water 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

X

Xochipilli (Aztec goddess) 9.1, 9.2
Xochiquetzal (Aztec goddess) 9.1, 9.2

Y

Yggdrasil (ash tree)
animals on 2.1, 2.2
as center of cosmos 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
destruction 18.1, 18.2
location 4.1
pain and suffering
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
tended by Norns 2.1, 2.2
wells under roots 4.1, 4.2

Ymir (frost giant)
creation 1.1, 1.2, 18.1
killed by sons of Bor 1.1, 1.2

DONNA JO NAPOLI is a professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College, the mother

of five and grandmother of four, and the author of more than 70 books for children and
young adults, including National Geographic’s Treasury of Greek Mythology and Treasury of
Egyptian Mythology. While her undergraduate major was mathematics and her graduate work
was in linguistics, she has a profound love of mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. This is her
third mythology treasury for National Geographic. Her website is donnajonapoli.com.

CHRISTINA BALIT is a graduate of the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College

of Art, London. An award-winning dramatist and illustrator, Christina has painted more
than 20 children’s books, including Blodin the Beast by Michael Morpurgo, Zoo in the Sky,
The Planet Gods, The Lion Illustrated Bible for Children, National Geographic’s Treasury of
Greek Mythology, and National Geographic’s Treasury of Egyptian Mythology. Her authored
titles include Escape From Pompeii, Atlantis: The Legend of the Lost City, and An Arabian
Home. Her plays include Woman With Upturned Skirt, The Sentence, and Needle (winner of
the Brave New Role Award).