In the beginning . . . he [the All-father] appointed rulers, and bade them judge with him the fate of men, and regulate the government of the celestial city. . . . Their first work was to erect a court or hall wherein are twelve seats for themselves, besides the throne which is occupied by All-father. This hall is the largest and most magnificent in the universe, being resplendent on all sides, both within and without, with the finest gold.
—"The Golden Age,"
A Norse myth
Based on this excerpt from “The Golden Age,” how do you know that the people who told this story thought that leadership was important?
It states that leaders live in the greatest hall in the universe.
It explains why the hall has twelve seats.
It describes how the All-father has a throne.
All of these details suggest that the people who told this story believed that leadership was important. The fact that the leaders have a prominent and resplendent hall emphasizes their significance and importance. The mention of twelve seats for the rulers signifies the existence of a system of governance that involves multiple leaders, further highlighting the importance of leadership. Additionally, the description of the All-father having a throne emphasizes their position of authority and power, reinforcing the significance of leadership in the celestial city.
From this excerpt, we know that the people who told this story thought that leadership was important because it describes how the leaders were appointed by the All-father to judge the fate of men and regulate the government of the celestial city. Additionally, it mentions that the leaders' first work was to erect a court or hall, which implies that they hold important roles and responsibilities. The description of the hall being the largest and most magnificent in the universe, resplendent with gold, further indicates the importance placed on leadership. Finally, the mention of the All-father having a throne suggests that there is an established hierarchy and that leadership is a significant aspect of the story.
Based on this excerpt from "The Golden Age," we can infer that the people who told this story thought that leadership was important because of the following reasons:
1. It states that leaders live in the greatest hall in the universe: The excerpt mentions that the leaders appointed by the All-father reside in a magnificent hall that is described as the largest and most magnificent in the universe. This emphasis on grandeur and prominence suggests that leadership is held in high regard and positions of power are significant.
2. It explains why the hall has twelve seats: The excerpt mentions that there are twelve seats in the hall for the appointed rulers, in addition to the throne occupied by the All-father. The fact that there are specific seats designated for the rulers signifies their importance and the significance of their role in governing the celestial city.
3. It describes how the All-father has a throne: The mention of the All-father having a throne emphasizes his role as the ultimate ruler and judge. This further solidifies the importance of leadership in guiding and governing the celestial city.
Therefore, by highlighting the grandeur of their hall, explaining the presence of twelve seats for rulers, and emphasizing the All-father's throne, the story suggests that leadership was considered crucial and worthy of reverence by the people who told it.