The Prose Edda

<p><strong>The Edda is our richest treasure trove of Norse mythology. Complete and unabridged.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The Edda is our richest treasure trove of Norse mythology--starting with a creation myth passing through the struggle of the gods giants dwarves and elves for survival and supremacy and ending in the <em>Ragnarok</em> a final all-engulfing battle wherein the world itself is destroyed. Norse mythology has captured many imaginations and inspired epics including Wagner's <em>The Ring</em> and J. R. R. Tolkien's <em>Lord of the Rings</em>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The <em>Prose Edda</em></strong> also known as the <em>Younger Edda Snorri's Edda</em> and historically simply as <em>Edda</em> was written in Old Norse in Iceland during the thirteenth century. In 1220 Snorri Sturluson a respected poet parliamentarian and a visitor to the royal court of Norway decided to compile the myths and poetic conventions of Norse mythology before they vanished under the influence of Christianity and the verse forms of Europe. The result is the <em>Prose Edda </em>a unique glimpse of early Norse mythology.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Snorri Sturluson</strong> (1179-1241) poet historian the most powerful chieftain in Iceland and Lawspeaker of the Icelandic Parliament The Althing is a significant figure in Icelandic history. His extensive writings beyond the <em>Prose Edda</em> provide insight into Scandinavian history and are among the earliest records of the discovery of Vinland (North America).</p><p>This <strong>unabridged edition</strong> includes introduction notes and an extensive list of alternative names</p>