Roman weights:
One Libra = ¾ of a pound or 336 grams, so Marcus is saying Phoenix feels like he weighs 300 libra approx = 100kg. The Libra is also the basis for the modern abbreviation for ‘pound’ – lb. The Roman‘uncia’ is one modern ‘ounce’ or 28 grams.
Mjolnir = is pronounced "Muhyollnear." It is Thor's hammer in all the tales of the Nordic gods. Even Thor cannot wield it without the gloves and belt, though.
Tacitus = actually wrote about Svealand in 98AD, although he never actually travelled in all the Germanic countries he wrote about.
The foreign-language words used are a mixture of Old Norse and modern Swedish, which are closely related. There are few written records of the Proto-Norse language used in Sweden in 80AD, but Old Norse would be close. The Proto-Norse (ElderFurthark) runic alphabet (below), are actually versions of Roman lettering. They are angular because they were either chopped into wood or chiselled into stone.
They came into use around about 100AD, representing the sounds of a language that was much older than these new symbols for it.
Old Norse (Elder Furthark) runes/alphabet:
One Libra = ¾ of a pound or 336 grams, so Marcus is saying Phoenix feels like he weighs 300 libra approx = 100kg. The Libra is also the basis for the modern abbreviation for ‘pound’ – lb. The Roman‘uncia’ is one modern ‘ounce’ or 28 grams.
Mjolnir = is pronounced "Muhyollnear." It is Thor's hammer in all the tales of the Nordic gods. Even Thor cannot wield it without the gloves and belt, though.
Tacitus = actually wrote about Svealand in 98AD, although he never actually travelled in all the Germanic countries he wrote about.
The foreign-language words used are a mixture of Old Norse and modern Swedish, which are closely related. There are few written records of the Proto-Norse language used in Sweden in 80AD, but Old Norse would be close. The Proto-Norse (ElderFurthark) runic alphabet (below), are actually versions of Roman lettering. They are angular because they were either chopped into wood or chiselled into stone.
They came into use around about 100AD, representing the sounds of a language that was much older than these new symbols for it.
Old Norse (Elder Furthark) runes/alphabet:
http://astateofmind.eu/2009/05/27/short-guide-to-runes/
All of the gods, worlds and places named in this book are from stories told by the ancient Norse/Swedish/Danish people. There are many more, not named here, and all have fascinating stories.
Trolltiven is a real place. It is part of Tiveden, a Swedish forest, famous for its scenery and notorious for its wilderness and dangers. It has a history of being used by thieves as a hideout. “Thursvidur” means “ogre forest”, but it’s not a real place.
Geatsland was, in 80AD, an area in the south of Sweden. 500 years later, it was the homeland of Beowulf, the hero of the famous Nordic saga mentioned in this story. Beowulf travelled to Denmark in the story and defeated the troll Grendel there.
Arawn is a Celtic word – the traditional folk tale name in Celic/British lands for the king of the Faery & the leader of the Wild Hunt. The Scandinavian leader of the Wild Hunt and King of the Light Elves was named Freyr.
Trolltiven is a real place. It is part of Tiveden, a Swedish forest, famous for its scenery and notorious for its wilderness and dangers. It has a history of being used by thieves as a hideout. “Thursvidur” means “ogre forest”, but it’s not a real place.
Geatsland was, in 80AD, an area in the south of Sweden. 500 years later, it was the homeland of Beowulf, the hero of the famous Nordic saga mentioned in this story. Beowulf travelled to Denmark in the story and defeated the troll Grendel there.
Arawn is a Celtic word – the traditional folk tale name in Celic/British lands for the king of the Faery & the leader of the Wild Hunt. The Scandinavian leader of the Wild Hunt and King of the Light Elves was named Freyr.
http://www.bitkitohum.com/2011/03/nilufer-sugulu-nymphea-sp.html
Nymphaea alba, also known as the European White Waterlily, is an aquatic flowering plant. The red variety comes from lake Fagertärn(Fair tarn) in the forest of Tiveden, Sweden. It contains the active alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, and is a sedative. Although roots and stalks are used in traditional herbal medicine along with the flower, the petals and other flower parts are the most potent.