How did Snorri Sturluson preserve knowledge of Norse mythology?

Snorri Sturluson preserved Norse mythology primarily through his work the Prose Edda, written circa 1220. As an Icelandic chieftain and historian, Snorri intended this book to serve as a handbook on poetics for young poets, helping them understand the complex mythological allusions—known as kennings—found in traditional skaldic verse.123

Snorri’s preservation efforts included:

• Systematic Compilation: He arranged and recounted Norse legends in an entertaining and dramatic fashion, drawing from both extant Eddic and skaldic poetry as well as sources that have since been lost.12
• Gylfaginning: In this section of the Prose Edda, Snorri used a dialogue format between a king and the gods to explain the creation of the world, the adventures of the deities, and the eventual Ragnarök.23
• Skáldskaparmál: This section provided essential context for the "poetic diction" of the era, ensuring that the mythological foundations of ancient metaphors remained accessible to later generations.13

By documenting these traditions, Snorri ensured that the cultural and religious heritage of his pagan ancestors survived into the Christian era.23