The Road to Hel
A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature

This 1943 book uses a variety of evidence from archaeology and literature concerning Norse funeral customs to reconstruct their conception of future life.

Hilda Roderick Ellis (Author)

9781107632349, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 March 2013

218 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.28 kg

Originally published in 1943, this book was written using a variety of evidence from archaeology and literature concerning Norse funeral customs to reconstruct their conception of future life, the soul of man, the cult of the dead, and the journey to the land of the dead. The text is notable as one of the first comprehensive treatments of these areas, showing how knowledge could be forwarded by correlation of the evidence from various academic fields. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Norse history, archaeology and literature.

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Funeral customs: the evidence from archaeology
2. Funeral customs: the evidence of literature
3. The conception of the future life
4. The cult of the dead
5. The conception of the soul
6. Necromancy
7. The journey to the land of the dead
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]