Saturday, August 18, 2012

Old Gods New Gods

The Icelanders seem to be proud of having converted peacefully to Christianity. At a meeting of the Althing in 1000 it was decreed that having two religions and two sets of laws would bring strife, and so the Heathens would convert, but still be able to practice their old faith privately. It was an odd compromise...

Despite the long Christian history, many traces of the old ways remain.
 That "P" looking thing is a "th" sound, thus Thorsgata.

 We were staying at Lokastigur in the Loki guesthouse, next to the Loki Cafe. No trickery yet tho...
This slow conversion also kept most of the old Norse Mythology intact here in Iceland. The Eddas are the collected tales of ancient people and their gods, the most accurate versions passed down until writing became common. A political conversion was good for historians as well...

No comments: