WHY SIGURD? THE MYTH OF THE DRAGON-SLAYER AND ITS INDO-EUROPEAN AND CHRISTIAN CONTEXTS.

Sigurd Fáfnisbani is one of the most famous heroes of Old Norse sagas and heroic songs. His legend has not only survived the Christianization of Scandinavia, but also inspired 19th and 20th century artists. The reason for the popularity of the story of Sigurd was undoubtedly the Indo-European myth of the dragon-slayer, the echo of which is present in the legend much deeper than previously assumed, making Sigurd an almost god-like hero. After Christianization, however, Sigurd could become a link between the heroic past and the new faith and an expression of hope for the salvation of noble pagans. Absorbing other Germanic heroic tales, the legend simultaneously acquired a new moral meaning of the story of the struggle between Good and Evil, greed, lust for power, and betrayal, showing an impressive ability to adapt to changing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]