Who wrote the Prose Edda and when was it written?
Snorri Sturluson wrote the Prose Edda during the 13th century. This text contains two books that mention Heimdallr's nine mothers.
Questions about Nine Mothers of Heimdallr
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What are the names of the nine mothers who gave birth to Heimdallr according to Völuspá hin skamma?
The stanzas name Gjálp, Greip, Eistla, Angeyja, Ulfrûn, Eyrgiafa, Imd, Atla, and Járnsaxa. These figures nourished the boy with earth strength, ice-cold sea water, and boar blood.
How did Rudolf Simek translate the meaning of each mother's name in his 2007 Dictionary of Northern Mythology?
Rudolf Simek provided meanings for each mother's name in his 2007 Dictionary of Northern Mythology. For example, Járnsaxa describes The one armed with an iron knife while Ulfrún simply means Wolf.
Why do scholars link Heimdallr's mothers to the Nine Daughters of Ágir and Rán?
John Lindow published Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs in 2002. He notes scholars link Heimdallr's mothers to the Nine Daughters of Ágir and Rán because this theory suggests Heimdallr was born from sea waves.
What other mythological roles do Gjálp and Greip hold besides being mothers of Heimdallr?
Andy Orchard wrote Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend in 1997. He points out that Gjálp and Greip appear elsewhere as daughters of Geirröðr who tried to kill Thor by swelling a river or knocking down mountain stones.