[bigpeopleareold]

I started to read a book on a summary of Norse myths. In the introduction, it suggested that since in pre-Christian Scandinavia there was no strong or even existing belief in a timeless afterlife, people, particularly of the Viking stock, would seek their fame as a way to live on after their own death.

I thought this was interesting in that it could be profound in the minds of public individuals, whether conscious or not, particularly if they share a lack of an eternal life.

[stareatgoats]

Tangentially related: the story of Herostratus, whose name it was forbidden to mention since he destroyed the temple of Artemis simply in order to have his name remembered. The ban didn't work out; he is now one of the more famous ancient Greeks, but had his name not been banned he would surely have been forgotten.

Tangentially related to that: the urge to "be someone" is likely shared by all, but the "being" that follows from having your name in the paper (or on Twitter) seems likely a surrogate for one's impression of being remembered and appreciated by people that knows you well, or something that can compensate for a lack thereof.

Point in case: the large proportion of of petty criminals and social outcasts among terrorists and the like.

At least they get to be in the paper (and/or on TV/Twitter/Facebook/Threads/Youtube/Mastodon).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herostratus

[projektfu]

Ironically, after watching "The Emperor's Club", Shutruk-Nahunte is the only Elamite leader I'm aware of, and I had to look up the name of the film to write this comment.

For those who haven't seen it, the main character starts the film making a big point about how Nahunte is largely forgotten despite his efforts to be remembered, because he contributed nothing of value.

[latexr]

> I started to read a book on a summary of Norse myths.

When you mention an interesting book/movie/any piece of media in a post, please include its name. There will always be someone interested in checking it out. I am.

[eis]

But the Vikings did have believes in afterlife. Later records of Valhalla or Folkvangr speak of that very clearly. There is also the fact that items were added to burried bodies which usually is done with the believe that these items would be useful for the deceased person in the afterlife.

[jacquesm]

> in pre-Christian Scandinavia there was no strong or even existing belief in a timeless afterlife

Pre-Christian Scandinavia is a rather long span of time.

[eis]

Well he mentioned Norse mythology and particularily the Vikings. The whole Pre-Christian Scandinavia of course is a way too wide a time span with very spotty historic records the further back we go.

[bigpeopleareold]

I was careful in using the book's words: "not a timeless afterlife" or suggesting at least "not eternal". Because we know what happens in the end :)

[eis]

While it's true that the afterlife was not eternal (Ragnarök) the same goes for the fame or legacy because the whole world is pretty much rebooted in their belief and with that the legacy vanishes.

[chambers]

Neat. What's the name of the book?

[bigpeopleareold]

The Penguin Book of Norse Myths :)