logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2018
50m 57s

COA09 - Ritual and Sacrifice in Pagan Ic...

Lee Accomando
About this episode

In this episode we explore what our sources have to tell us about sacrifice and ritual in Pagan Iceland. Along the way we discuss the method and purpose of sacrifice and the how this may have impacted Icelandic society. 

Our recommended reading for this week is A Piece of Horse Liver by Jón Hnefill Aðalsteinsson. A collection of essays concerning Myth, Ritual and Folklore this book includes some excellent and very readable breakdowns of the most important information we have about Pagan practice in Iceland. Highly recommended. 

For more information and a full list of sources, check out our website: http://vikingagepodcast.com/ritual-and-sacrifice-pagan-iceland

Up next
Feb 2018
Looking Forward - We need your input!
<div class="_2TO-components-SimpleRichTextEditor--paragraphElement" data-block="true" data-editor="1lokb" data-offset-key="he0e-0-0"> <div class= "public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="he0e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="he0e-0-0">I've been wo ... Show More
8m 8s
Feb 2018
COA10 - Law and Belief in Pagan Iceland
In this episode we conclude our discussion on Pagan practice in Iceland by exploring the close connections between the law and pagan beliefs. Along the way we talk about oath rings, the assemblies of the gods and a rather nasty conflict revolving around excrement. Our recommended ... Show More
54m 48s
Mar 2018
COA11 - Christ Comes to Iceland
In this episode we explore the early history of Christianity in Iceland. Along the way we talk about kings, prophets, prominent Christian settlers, and missionary methods employed in the Early Middle Ages. Finally we will introduce Thangbrand - the mildly-homicidal missionary sen ... Show More
1h 2m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
264. Viking Greenland: Mysteries of the Lost Norse Settlers (Ep 2)
How did the Vikings and the Inuit interact in Greenland? When was the last record of Norse settlers in the region? How did climate change affect the decline of Viking settlers in Greenland, and why is their disappearance shrouded in mystery? William and Anita are joined once agai ... Show More
40m 15s
Oct 2015
177 – The Road to 830
Last episode I gave you a forest view of where we are going and, roughly, who these Viking raiders were as well as the scale of the impact that they will have upon Europe. And it really is something to behold. The Viking Age isn’t very long, but Europe hadn’t seen this level of r ... Show More
29m 9s
Oct 2024
Ordinary Vikings: hidden histories of the Nordic world
We know the Vikings best as brutal, seafaring, pagan raiders – and that’s an important part of their lives and histories. But it’s only one aspect: what about their love lives, experiences of travels, and attitudes to religion? Speaking with James Osborne, Eleanor Barraclough unp ... Show More
37m 40s
Nov 2025
Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age
Who were the Vikings' ancient ancestors? In this episode Tristan Hughes explores the fascinating maritime culture, sophisticated trade networks and social hierarchies of the Nordic Bronze Age c. 1800–700 BC. Joined by Professor Johan Ling, they shed light on how proto-Viking soci ... Show More
53m 18s
Mar 2013
The Vikings Arrive
<p>This shows looks at the arrival of one of the most fearsome and notorious warriors in Irish history – the Vikings. These Scandinavians have been caricatured throughout the centuries as marauding maniacs a somewhat undeserved reputation. However in this episode they don’t exact ... Show More
18m 50s
Apr 2022
Vikings: Ragnar Lothbrok
Ruthless warriors. Ancient sagas. This season, we’re exploring the lives of the Vikings — starting with the legend of a leader named Ragnar and his equally famous sons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
45m 10s
Sep 2024
Viking Travels
<p>Vikings have long been depicted as that stereotype of the hairy, nameless warrior, leaping ashore from his longboat, ready to terrorise a hapless local population in a northern European country. But there were also seers, artisans, travellers, and writers, too whose stories ca ... Show More
47m 12s
Oct 2025
CLASSIC: When Vikings Loot The Wrong Town
Ben here: we're out on the high seas this week -- true story! While we're away, we're sharing some of our favorite Classic episode. Here's one we absolutely loved, and travel-related: "Like many Viking leaders, Halfdan and Bjorn wanted to be known for their fearlessness in battle ... Show More
39m 1s