Gothic view of mortality

[Ingemar Nordgren]

Have no idea about their fatalism. They venerated  as far as we can see the normal fertility gods, i.e. primarily Frejr and Freja, earlier Ingr and Ingun, but also Gaut/Óðinn but this was just for  chieftains and warriors. The normal population venerated the fertility divinities. They also venerated the spirits of their ancestors and every kunja hence had different ancestors and ceremonies. Every kunja/tribe as well had own relics for the popular cult which were brought with when crossing the limes when the Huns appeared.They also had a fertality divinity, probably Freja,  that Athanaric during his persecution let send around to all villages in Gutþiuda on a wagon to make everybody adore her to be sure no Goths were Christian. When the chieftain  headed the warriors in fight as representative of and embodying the god Óðinn/Wotan they probably had no fear of death and hence could be claimed to be fatalistic but normally I am dubious.

Best
Ingemar

--- In gothic-l at yahoogroups.com, "Thomas" <the_lothian at ...> wrote:
>
> Hails,
> 
> I was wondering.
> The Vikings had a fatalistic view of life.  
> If you were fated to die today, there was nothing you could do to avoid it.
> If you were not fated to die today, there was nothing you could do to get yourself killed.
> 
> What was the Pre-Christian Gothic view on mortality?
> 
> Thanks.  You guys are great.
> Tom
>


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