--- In cybalist@..., "William P. Reaves" <beowulf@...> wrote:
> Hej Chris,
>
> I am glad to see someone refute this theory so strongly.
Personally, I
> believe that Odin is none other than the *Dyuas Pater of the
Germanic
> tribes.
> The 19th century Swedish philosopher and mythologist Viktor Rydberg
makes an
> interesting case that Odin, as far as attributes and position most
resembles
> the other Indo-European sky-fathers. Rather than a change of
position, Odin
> simply underwent a name change.
> Some of the evidence Rydberg cites is Odin's place among two
brothers and
> co-creators. His battle for supremecy over an earlier race of
giants, whom
> he is related to. His position as a Sky-god. (His single eye
represents the
> single eye of the sky, either sun or moon). His positon as ruler of
> storms/battle. His casting weapon (Gungnir). His marriage to the
earth. Also
> his designation as All-father.
Although Odin was the head of the pantheon and a god of war, many of
his other attributes don't fit well with what I know of Zeus/Jupiter
From what I've read, storms are more the territory of Thor. I'd be
interested in material linking Odin with storms.
I interpret Odin's one eye differently. Odin sacrificed his eye to
drink from the well of knowledge or see the future. This is similar
to Horus asking Ra to see all of creation, and going blind as a
result.
This is one of many instances where Odin exposes himself to danger
or harm in his quest for knowledge-He aslo hung himself of Yggrasadil
for nine days so that he could learn the art of writing runes, and
took a trip to Hel to learn the answer to one question. In another
episode, Odin kept and preserved the head of the slain giant Mimir so
that he could use it as an oracle.
Odin's many quests for knowledge and knowledge of the future reveal
Odin as a magician and prophet. His attire, a cloak and a wide-
brimmed hat, also support this. He also taught makind the arts,
particularly poetry, which in myth is linked with prophecy.
He often wielded his spear Gungnir as a scepter or staff, the tool of
a magician.
The spear is also associated with the hunt. Among Odin's animal
assistants numbered two wolves or dogs, and his eight-legged steed
Sleipnir. Apparently in some regions Odin was beleived to ride this
horse on the Wild Hunt. Hunting gods also seem to be associated with
prophecy for some reason, in my observation.
Odin also taught mankind the arts, and particularly poetry. Poetry
and song are linked with prophecy in myth. For some reason, so is
hunting.
Odin was also the patron of commerce and travelers, similar to
Mercury of Hermes. The Romans equated Odin with Mercury rather than
Jupiter. This can still be seen today in Wednesday or Woden's day,
and the Italian Mercoledi or Mercury day.
> The case for Tyr as the Dyuas Pater of the Germanic tribes is based
on
> nothing more than etymology of the name. And the theory that the
Germans had
> an earlier god named *Tiu which was displaced by Odin is
unfortunately still
> current in many scholarly books.
>
> I tend to believe that if the Germanics had a god named *Tiu it was
merely
> Odin himself under an earlier name, rather than the god Tyr who was
> displaced by the migrant Odin.
Tyr is interesting, I want to learn more about him. I know Tuesday is
named after Tyr. In Italian, Tuesday is Martedi.
I also know one story about him: The gods wanted to bind the Fenris
wolf, and finally made a chain strong enogh to hold him. They
couldn't think of a way to catch him, though, so they decided instead
to trick him. They told the wolf they only wanted to test the
strength of the chain, and they would let him go after that. As proof
of their sincerity, Tyr put his right hand in the wolf's mouth. The
gods broke their word, and Tyr lost a hand.
This seems similar to Odin sacrificing his eye for knowledge. Odin
gives up one eye to know or see more, Tyr gives up his hand to make
his word binding. I've read about a pricniple triad of Teutonic
deities: Odin, Thor, and Tyr. Maybe this corresponds with the old
Roman triad Quirinus, Jupiter, Mars? I'm still working on that idea.
Cort Williams