1853115The American Cyclopædia — Odin

ODIN, the principal god of Scandinavian mythology. He is said to dwell in Asgard, with the twelve Æsir, many of whom are his children. He rules the heavens; the clouds and the wind are subject to him. Frigga, his favorite goddess, controls nature, and Freyja, who is also sometimes represented as his spouse, is the custodian of the dead. Saga, the goddess of poetry, is Odin's offspring. Being the god of storm, Odin is also the god of war, and directs the course of battles by the Valkyries, virgin goddesses, who take the slain to Valhalla to lead an immortal life of joy and festivity in the company of Odin. As the father of poetry he rewards the real poets with a draught from the wine Odroehris. He is the inventor of runic writing. Odin is also an omniscient god, and the ravens Herginn and Muninn, generally perched on his shoulders, are sent out in all directions to inform him of passing events. He was worshipped by all the North Germanic races, and he reappears among the Saxons and Low Germans by the name of Wuotan and Wotan. (See Mythology.)—The Odin of mythology is considered to be connected with Odin the conqueror, who ruled, according to tradition, in the time of Pompey over a portion of Scythia, near the Black sea. Driven out of his territory, he is said to have advanced to the northernmost countries of Europe and Asia, and to have conquered Denmark and the Scandinavian peninsula.