The cult of Heroes was very high in the Norse culture.
Many ancient mythological heroes, some of whom may have been derived from real persons, were believed to be descendants of the gods; among them were Sigurd the Dragon-slayer; Helgi Thrice-Born, Harald Wartooth, Hadding, Starkad, and the Valkyries.
The Valkyries, a band of warrior-maidens that included Svava and Brunhild, served Odin as choosers of slain warriors, who were taken to reside in Valhalla.
Valhalla, Hall of the Slain, in Norse mythology is the hall presided over by Odin. This vast hall has five hundred and forty doors. The rafters are spears, the hall is roofed with shields and breast-plates litter the benches. A wolf guards the western door and an eagle hovers over it. It is here that the Valkyries, Odin's messengers and spirits of war, bring half of the heroes that died on the battle fields (the rest go to Freya's hall Folkvang). These heroes, the Einherjar, are prepared in Valhalla for the oncoming battle of Ragnarok. When the battle commences, eight hundred warriors will march shoulder to shoulder out of each door.
The Einherjar are the heroes who have died with great bravery on the battle fields. These heroes are prepared in Valhalla for the oncoming battle of Ragnarok. In the morning they are woken by the crowing of the cock Gullinkambi ("golden comb"). During the day they train and fight, until they cut each other to pieces. At night they feast at Odin's side and their wounds are miraculously healed.
On the day of Ragnarok, the bravest of the Einherjar will march with Odin to battle the frost giants, the enemies of the gods.
Ragnarök does not mean "Twilight of the Gods"; that phrase is the result of a famous mistranslation. "Ragnarökr" or "Ragnarøkr" means "doom of the powers" or "destruction of the powers" (where "powers" means "gods").
With all these muths, the education of the future Vikings was oriented for a man to be extremely brave in the battle. And they were. They were not afraid to die in a battle, they were afraid to die in the bed, because in this case, they won't go to Valhalla. Fighting was for them a kind of trans when they didn't feel pain. Some of them were so wild during a battle, that were called Berserks.
When we say that we are going berserk, we may not realize how extreme a state this might be. Our adjective comes from the noun berserker, or berserk, which is from the Old Norse word berserkr, "a wild warrior or champion." Such warriors wore hides of bears, which explains the probable origin of berserkr as a compound of *bera, "bear," and serkr, "shirt, coat." These berserkers became frenzied in battle, howling like animals, foaming at the mouth, and biting the edges of their iron shields.
I think that this Cult of the Hero in the Goths mythology made from them that brave people without fear, that changed our world in that long gone times.
I want to thank very much my friend Monti (http://blog.bitcomet.com/monti84metal/)for his help in choosing the right music for this post!
This is the song:
Valhall Awaits Me by Amon Amarth
Blood gushes from the wound
The cut is wide and deep
Right before I turn around
He falls to his knees
A clear song rings in the blade
When steel meets hardend steel
I hear the sound of wood that breaks
A swords cut through my shield
I drop the shield and grab my axe
*A weapon in each fist
A fierce blow makes the helmet crack
The axe cut to the teeth
I rip the axe from the head
covered in blood and brains
Leave the body lying dead
Ready to strike again
My sword cuts through clothes and skin
Like a hot knife cuts through snow
I smile as the bastard screams
when I twist my sword
Sword in my hand and axe on my side
Valhall awaits! Soon I will die
Sword in my hand and axe on my side
Valhall awaits me, when I die
Bearskin on my back
Wolfsjaw on my head
Valhall awaits me, when I'm dead
I raise my axe above my head
My eyes turned furious rage
Yet more blood will be shed
This is a victorious day!
Blood gushes from the wound
The cut is wide and deep
As they turn around
I fall to my knees
Sword in my hand and axe on my side
Valhall awaits! Soon I will die
Sword in my hand and axe on my side
Valhall awaits me, when I die
Bearskin on my back
Wolfjaw on my head
Valhall awaits me, when I'm dead!
