From Asia to Scandinavia: the Myth of the Norse Gods Æsir

This article deals with Snorri’s narrative of the Æsir’s migration from Asia to Scandinavia and the descent of the Nordic royal houses from Trojan kings and heroes. Snorri’s tale is supported by many pseudo-etymologies, which allow him to give an euhemeristic representation of the ancient myths, affirming that the Norse gods’ name Æsir means Ásiámenn (“men from Asia”). Source of Snorri’s peculiar retelling of a legendary Scandinavian past is the medieval Continental tradition about the fictitious Trojan pedigrees of many barbarian nations, a topic initially developed by Frankish chroniclers.