While Odin was the father and king of the Aesir, the Romans associated Thor with Jupiter. The Romans typically assigned the names of their own gods to those they encountered elsewhere, believing that other religions worshiped their own pantheon under different names and guises. The Romans noted a Germanic god who is almost certainly the direct ancestor of the Viking thunder god. In Northern Europe, Thor was recorded long before the height of Norse culture. Because rain fertilizes the soil and makes plants grow, many religions recognize otherwise destructive sky gods as having a hand in giving life. Thor was a god of thunder and storms, but like many others he also picked up aspects of a fertility and prosperity deity. Similar thunder gods can be found as far away as India, where the Hindu god Indra even shares his red hair. Thor was one of the most popular Norse gods, but his appeal was not limited to the Viking Age.Īlthough scholars once thought that Thor was an indigenous god of Scandinavia, similarities between the Norse god and others make it seem almost certain that he came from a Proto-Indo-European deity. From place names to characters in popular culture, Thor remains an influential figure from mythology. He traveled across realms, fought monsters, and killed giants with his legendary hammer.Īs such an important god, Thor lived on in a number of ways after the Viking Age. Thor used a combination of cleverness, physical strength, and even occasional humor in many stories. He also showed himself to be a clever deity who could use his wits as well as weapons.
While Thor was known for his power over thunder and lightning, there was more to the god than just this, however. This also made him an important fertility god who brought the water necessary to make plants grow.
In the ancient world and today, Thor has always been one of the most popular and recognizable figures in mythology.Īs a sky god, Thor is part of a long tradition of deities who commanded thunder and brought on storms.