ASGARD, ils'glird (Old Norse fiss, god + gardhr, Barth, inclosure, home). The home ot the Norse gods, or the Scandinavian Olympus.
It was said to stand in the middle and highest part of Ida's Plain, which is the centre of the universe. There the ,Esir (gods) built a hall, Glads-heim (home of joy), with seats for twelve, and one high-seat for Odin, the All-father; and also a lofty abode called Vingoll, for the god desses. The gods worked diligently, played at games, were rich in precious things, and happy until three maidens from Jfitunheim, 'giants' world,' crossed the plain and entered Asaheim, when corruption began to spread among the in mates. Asgard had many mansions, the largest and noblest of which was Gladsheim, while an other, not so large, but fairer and brighter than the sun, was called Gitlin. The latter mansion will stand when heaven and earth shall have been destroyed by fire, and will be the dwelling-place of brave and upright men. There is an historical
explanation of this myth: that Asaheim was a country east of the Don in Asia, where there was a city of Asgard. in which ruled a chief named Odin, or Woden; that Odin, fearing sub jection by the Romans, led his people across Russia to Sweden and settled at Sigtuna (Up sala ) that his priests or chief men founded other settlements, and established the worship of their ancestors; that in lapse of time the man Odin and his chiefs came to be looked upon as gods. No date can be settled for such a mi gration; but from u.c. 120 to 30 has been thought probable, for then :Nlithridates Eupater was defying the armies of Rome. This theory is based on the account in Heimskringle, which is, however, of doubtful value. See .-Esla; and