Olof Sundqvist

When describing the transition from Old Norse religion to Christianity in recent studies, the concept of "Christianization" is often applied. To a large extent this historiography focuses on the outcome of the encounter, namely the description of early Medieval Christianity and the new Christian society. The purpose of the present study is to concentrate more exclusively on the Old Norse religion during this period of change and to analyze the processes behind its disappearance on an official level of the society. More specifically this study concentrates on the role of Viking kings and indigenous agency in the winding up of the old religion. An actor-oriented perspective will thus be established, which focuses on the actions, methods and strategies applied by the early Christian Viking kings when dismantling the religious tradition that had previously formed their lives. In addition, the resistance that some pagan chieftains offered against these Christian kings is discussed as well as the question why they defended the old religious tradition.

Dismantling and Defending the Old Order in Viking Age Scandinavia

The Demise of Norse Religion

This study elucidates the relationship among rulers and religion of the Svear in Eastern Scandinavia during the Late Iron Age.

Rulers and Religion in Ancient Svea Society

Freyr's Offspring

In An Arena for Higher Powers Olof Sundqvist offers an account of the role played by religion in political undertakings among the pre-Christian ruling elites at ceremonial buildings in in Late Iron Age Scandinavia (i.e. AD 550-1050/1100).

Ceremonial buildings and religious strategies for rulership in Late Iron Age Scandinavia

An Arena for Higher Powers

Anna Lydia Svalastog

religionshistoriska diskussioner och teoretiska ansatser

Myter och mytteorier

Astrid van Nahl

Der interdisziplinär angelegte Band vereinigt 37 Studien, vorwiegend zur altnordischen Religionsgeschichte. Weiterhin vertreten sind Arbeiten zur späteren europäischen und mediterranen Religionsgeschichte sowie Untersuchungen u.a. zu Bahai'ismus, Christentum, Islam, Judentum, Zoroastrismus und zur Forschungsgeschichte.

Olof Sundqvist

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