Old Norse philosophy was the philosophy of the early Scandinavians. Similar to the patterns of thought of other early Germanic peoples, Old Norse philosophy is best attested in the Poetic Edda, particularly Hávamál, which is a poem attributed to Odin, the leading deity in Norse mythology. It emphasized that happiness could only be attained through living a life of virtue, particularly one characterized by the interconnected virtues of wisdom, self-control and personal independence. Although largely forgotten through the Christianization of Scandinavia, Old Norse philosophy has had a profound impact on the patterns of thought of modern Scandinavians.