Æsir

In Norse mythology, the Aesir are the principal pantheon of gods. They include many of the major figures, such as Odin, Frigg, and Thor. It should, however, be noted that a second clan of gods, the Vanir, is also mentioned in the Norse mythos; the gods Freyr and Freya are Vanir gods living among the Aesir. Collectively, all of these godlike beings are known as the Asa.

The interaction between the Aesir and the Vanir is an interesting aspect of Norse mythology. While other cultures have had "elder" and "younger" families of gods, as with the Titans versus the Olympians of ancient Greece, the Aesir and Vanir were portrayed as contemporary. The two clans of gods fought battles, concluded treaties, and exchanged hostages (Frey and Freya are mentioned as such hostages). It is tempting to speculate that the interactions described as occurring between Aesir and Vanir reflect the types of interaction common to various Norse clans at the time.