WODEN, a deity of the Anglo-Saxons, the name being the Anglo-Saxon counterpart of the Scandinavian Odin (q.v.). In German he was Wodan or Wuotan. Information is lacking as to how far the character and adventures attributed to Odin were known to other Teutonic peoples. Clearly, however, the god was credited with special skill in magic, both in England and Ger many, and was also represented (see LOMBARDS) as the dispenser of victory. By the Romans he was early identified with Mer
curius; "Wednesday" (Woden's day) is dies Mercurii.