Odin on the Cross (Heliand Crucifixion Scene)

In this video, Dr. Shell discusses the crucifixion scene in the Heliand and compares it to Odin on the tree in Hávamál from the Poetic Edda. When Christ is hanging in the Heliand, there are subtle, but significant transitions in the words used by the Saxon poet. All of these instances of juxtaposition are inserted to help the Saxon look at Christ as a sort of Odin-like figure. Recap: The Heliand is a 9th-century text that was commissioned by either Louis the Pious of Louis the German with the intention of converting the Saxons to Christianity. It is a reworking of the gospels to convince the Saxons that their true drohtin (‘Chieftain’) was Christ himself. It is comprised of approximately 6,000 lines of alliterative poetry; and involves linguistic conversion techniques which made the Saxons believe that Christ was the aðalordfrumo alomahtig (‘all-mighty noble spear-point advancer’), and that his loyal Thegns (gisîðos) would defend him until death. Peter himself was noted as a famous swordsman, and God was even referred to as the Sigidrohtin (‘Lord of Victory’). This last reference is very reminiscent of Óðinn’s ON epithet, Sigföðr (‘Father of Victory’). Many other adjustments such as Christ becoming lost in a forest instead of the desert, fog rolling in from the North Sea, the many references to hill-forts and alterations to the Lord’s Prayer are also included. --- Please subscribe and leave a comment below! This let's me see that there is continued interest! Share the video! Credit for the bindrune design goes to Šárka C.S. If you would like to see my credentials, here is a link to my personal website: https://scottshell.net/ Link to the Continental Germanic Facebook page:   / germanicheathenry   Instagram (saxonruner):   / saxonruner   __ Liberman (2016) is responsible for making the claim for 'swinger's tree' rather than 'windy tree.