Lesson Two: Heathen History

Readings

Select one of the following introductory guides:

• Essential Asatru, (either edition)
  • Chapter One
  • Chapter Two
  • Chapter Three
  • Chapter Four
  • Chapter Five

OR

• Our Troth, third edition
  • Volume One: Heathen History.This whole volume is relevant to understanding heathen history, but it may be a bit much to read all 300 pages of it just for a Heathen Essentials lesson. I would suggest that if you are feeling overwhelmed, start by reading:
    • Chapter Six: The Viking Age, 153-174.
    • Chapter Seven: Medieval to Modern, Eddas and sagas, pp. 175-183.
    • Chapter Nine, The Heathen Revival, 251-299.

OR

• A Practical Heathen’s Guide to Ásatrú
  • Two: A Brief History

OR

• The Way of Fire and Ice
  • Chapter One, pp. 10-13
  • Appendix II: The Origins of the Pagan Revival

Questions and Exercises:

1. Who were the Indo-Europeans? Why are they important to heathens and their history?
2. What do we know about the Germanic peoples in the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and Classical Antiquity (the time of the Greeks and the early Romans)? What can we determine about their religion?
3. What was the Migration Age? Where did the different Germanic tribes settle in and around the Roman Empire?
4. Who were the Vikings? Why are they important to heathens and their history?
5. When and why did the different Germanic peoples convert to Christianity? How does the long Christian period continue to affect our religion today?