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Viking History

Who Kills Whom During Ragnarök:

Posted by Sons Of Vikings on

Ragnarök, the apocalyptic battle in Norse mythology, marks the end of the world and the death of many gods, giants, and creatures. The events of Ragnarök are vividly described in the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, two of the most important sources of Norse mythology. Below is a detailed list of who kills whom during this cataclysmic event, based solely on information from these ancient sources.

1. Odin vs. Fenrir

  • Who Kills Whom: Fenrir kills Odin.

  • Details: According to the Völuspá (The Prophecy of the Seeress) in the Poetic Edda and the Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda, Odin, the Allfather, faces the monstrous wolf Fenrir during Ragnarök. Despite Odin's great power and wisdom, he is ultimately swallowed whole by Fenrir, signaling the downfall of the gods. Fenrir is later killed by Vidar. See below.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanzas 53 and 55; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapters 51 and 53.

2. Thor vs. Jörmungandr

  • Who Kills Whom: Thor kills Jörmungandr, but dies shortly after.

  • Details: Thor, the god of thunder, battles the Midgard serpent Jörmungandr. He manages to slay the serpent with his hammer, Mjölnir, but not before being poisoned by its venom. Thor takes nine steps before collapsing and dying from the poison.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanza 56; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 51.

3. Týr vs. Garmr

  • Who Kills Whom: Týr and Garmr kill each other.

  • Details: Týr, the god of war, faces Garmr, the monstrous hound that guards Hel's gate. The two engage in a fierce battle where both meet their end, dying from the wounds they inflict upon each other.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanza 55; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 51.

4. Heimdallr vs. Loki

  • Who Kills Whom: Heimdallr and Loki kill each other.

  • Details: Heimdallr, the watchman of the gods, and Loki, the trickster god, fight to the death during Ragnarök. Their duel ends with both gods fatally wounding each other, leading to their mutual destruction.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanza 51; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 51.

5. Frey vs. Surtr

  • Who Kills Whom: Surtr kills Frey.

  • Details: Frey, the god of fertility and prosperity, fights Surtr, the fire giant who leads the forces of Muspelheim. Frey, having given away his sword as a token of love, faces Surtr without a weapon. He is ultimately slain by the giant’s flaming sword.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanza 50; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 51.

6. Vidar vs. Fenrir

  • Who Kills Whom: Vidar kills Fenrir.

  • Details: Vidar, one of Odin’s sons, avenges his father’s death by killing Fenrir. According to the myth, Vidar tears Fenrir’s jaws apart using his immense strength and a special shoe, ending the life of the wolf that brought down Odin.

  • Source: Poetic Edda, Völuspá, stanza 53; Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 51.

7. Váli and Other Survivors

  • Who Kills Whom: Váli and other gods survive Ragnarök, no significant kills are attributed.

  • Details: Váli, another son of Odin, is among the gods who survive Ragnarök. However, there is no specific mention in the sagas of him killing any particular opponent during the battle. Other survivors include Móði and Magni (sons of Thor), and Baldr (son of Odin and brother of Thor), who returns from Hel after the battle.

  • Source: Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, chapter 53.

Conclusion

Ragnarök is a tragic and bloody end to the Norse pantheon, with the deaths of many central figures, including Odin, Thor, and Loki. This apocalyptic battle marks both an end and a new beginning, with the world eventually reborn from the ashes of destruction. The detailed accounts provided by the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda offer a vivid glimpse into this legendary final battle.

Sources:

  • Poetic Edda, Völuspá.
  • Prose Edda, Gylfaginning.