Skattamálum

Skattamálum, also known as *Skattmálagaldr* ("The Lay of the Treasure"), is one of the oldest surviving poems in the Old Norse language, dating back to the Viking Age. It is preserved in the 13th-century manuscript *Codex Regius* (AM 248vo), which contains the *Poetic Edda*, a collection of Old Norse poems. The poem is attributed to the skald (poet) **Eyvindr Skaldaspillir**, who lived in the late 10th and early 11th centuries.

Skattamálum is a *dróttkvætt* poem, a complex metrical form used by skalds to compose elaborate verse. The poem consists of 24 stanzas and recounts a legendary treasure hunt involving the god **Odin** and the giant **Hrungnir**. According to the narrative, Odin challenges Hrungnir to a contest of strength, during which Hrungnir’s hammer shatters a mountain. Odin then kills the giant, but Hrungnir’s head rolls away, carrying a treasure within. Odin retrieves the treasure, which includes a magical ring called *Draupnir*, and returns it to his home.

The poem is notable for its vivid descriptions, mythological references, and skaldic techniques such as *kenning* (metaphorical phrasing) and *hending* (a specific grammatical structure). It also serves as a historical and cultural artifact, offering insights into Norse mythology, poetic conventions, and the social role of skalds in Viking society. While some elements of the poem may reflect later interpretations, it remains an important text for understanding early Norse literature and religious beliefs.