Armenian Traces in Scandinavian Mythology

In 1222 – 1225, Icelandic historian, poet, and politician Snorri Sturluson wrote his book “Edda” consisting of Scandinavian myths and tales. This book has long been considered a fruit of the author’s mind, having no historical basis. However, in 1643, Icelandic bishop Sveinsson discovered an ancient manuscript with songs about deities and heroes that strongly matched Sturluson’s “Edda”.

Thereafter, Sturluson’s book became known as “Younger Edda”, while its precursor, the manuscript found by bishop Sveinsson, became known as “Elder Edda”. Some of the info presented in this article comes from the book “Where did the heroes of Edda myths live?” by Vladimir Shcherbakov published in Moscow in 1989. Due to his lack of knowledge of the Armenian language, Shcherbakov in his book wandered to Middle Asia. But more on that a bit later.

Both Edda books recount the story of the post-Flood migration of the Scandinavians from Asia Minor and from Troy. Troy is associated with Asgard, a city of Æsir, principal deities of the Norse religion. The city housed Valaskjálf, the dwelling of gods, which’s roof was made from pure silver.

The origins of the ancestors of the Scandinavians is connected with the Van tribes that lived in the Vanaheimi country, as well as with the Aspurgiani tribe that lived along the east side of the Strait of Kerch connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. Giantess Hyrrokkin, as well as the location Iðavöllr are also mentioned.

Let’s now move onto the Armenian language. The singular form of “Æsir” is “áss” or “ás”. The word for “god” in Armenian is “astvats” (“as” – “star”, “tvats” – “given”). The Name “Hyrrokkin” can also be broken down to “hyrr”, “ok”, “kin”, meaning “a woman of a distinct spirit.” The names of the Van tribe and their country indicate the Lake Van and its surroundings in the Armenian Highlands. Lastly, the Aspurgian tribe could be indicating ancient Armenians or anything connected with them. Finally, the name of the fallen warriors Einherjar can be translated as “ancient fathers” directly from Armenian.

Let’s confine ourselves with this evidence. In conclusion, we hope that the arguments in the defense of the Armenian origin of the grand migration of peoples and the Armenian roots of the Celts and Scandinavians were interesting and convincing enough.

“And the language was one”, Artashes Artsruni, 2010