In Norse mythology’s Ragnarök, the fire giant Surtr rules Muspelheim.
Surtr is a powerful jötunn associated with fire and the southern realm of Muspelheim. In the Ragnarök narrative, he leads the fire giants from that realm toward the gods’ battlefield. His flaming sword and destructive power make him one of the catastrophe’s most important opponents.
The Prose Edda describes Surtr as confronting Freyr, the fertility god. Freyr is disadvantaged because he previously gave away his powerful sword, and Surtr ultimately kills him. Surtr then advances with fire, contributing to the burning of the world.
Surtr is sometimes confused with other giants named in Ragnarök traditions, including Hrym, who is associated with the giants’ forces and the ship Naglfar. Surtr’s defining feature is his connection with Muspelheim’s fire and the final conflagration.