Love how Norse mythology shows its gods as biological, not immortal! Odin dies at Ragnarök swallowed by the wolf Fenrir, Baldr dies and all creation mourns, Thor falls at Ragnarok. The goddess Iðunn keeps them young with magical apples — and when she's kidnapped, the gods instantly age. The Old Norse word "epli" could mean apples, spheres, or tablets, leaving room for interpretation of what this "longevity therapy" actually was.
Norse gods depicted as mortal beings sustained by Idunn's longevity therapy
Key facts
- Norse gods described as biological beings who die, with Odin dying of illness according to Snorri Sturluson's accounts
- Baldr dies and all things mourn him; Thor dies at Ragnarok; the goddess Freya practiced seiðr into the Viking Age
- Goddess Idunn (Iðunn) provides apples that keep the gods young; when she is kidnapped, the gods age rapidly
- The Old Norse word for "apples" (epli) can also refer to spherical objects or tablets, not necessarily fruit
Sources
God of Wednesday : The Death of Snorri Sturlusonnancymariebrown.blogspot.com
Thoughts on the death-day of Snorri Sturluson, the single most influential writer of the Middle Ages.
Odinnorse-mythology.org
He was a frequent recipient of human sacrifice, especially of royalty, nobles, and enemy armies. This was generally accomplished by means of a spear, a noose, ...
Snorri Sturlusonen.wikipedia.org
He was assassinated in 1241 by men claiming to be agents of the King of Norway. Died 23 September 1241(1241-09-23) (aged 61–62) Reykholt,
Norse Gods and Goddesses: Idunalehorn.com
They are given their youth and beauty by Idun's delicious, golden apples. It seems counter intuitive to not have immortal deities, doesn't it?
Iðunn – goddess of youth and vitalityhistoriska.se
Iðunn is known as the goddess of youth and renewal. Her most famous attribute is that she guards and dispenses the golden apples that keep the Æsir young.
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