Myth Madness: A Mythology Podcast

Ares was responsible for the chaotic elements of war and a lust for battle. He did not have many temples but was naturally very important to Greek soldiers when they were on military campaigns. Ares does not feature in many surviving Greek myths – his affair with Aphrodite is the most well-known. I also discuss what is strange about his Homeric Hymn and the Roman’s conception of him. 

Poseidon is known as the Greek god who ruled over the seas. But he was also the Earthshaker and the god of horses. Poseidon was very important in the general Greek religion. Greek colonists who travelled across the sea praised Poseidon for allowing them to reach their destinations safely. But there is also evidence Poseidon was much more important in the earlier days of ancient Greece, and this may be reflected in some of his myths.

Hephaestus was a god of craftsmen, responsible for blacksmiths, metal working, carpenters, and sculptors. In Greek myth, Hephaestus is often more of a supporting character, he stays in his workshop and creates things – typically armour – that are used by other people. This episode focuses on Hephaestus’ fall from the heavens, return to Mount Olympos, failed marriage to Aphrodite, and his fabulous creations.

This episode will focus on the Greek god Hermes. In Greek mythology, Hermes is shown as a clever god. He is a trickster and also a thief. But he also serves as a humble messenger boy, bringing the will of the gods to human beings. I retell the story of how Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle when he was only a baby, and also discuss how Hermes was repackaged during the Medieval Era and even survived to today. 

Athena is the Greek goddess associated with wisdom and war. Athena is one of the most important of the Olympians and be viewed as Zeus lieutenant. In terms of strength and power, she is even said to be Zeus’ equal and often bears his “Aegis”. In this episode I discuss some of the main myths of Athena, what the Aegis is, and what it may actually refer to.

Artemis, the “Mistress of Animals”, is associated with hunting and the wilderness. The poet Callimachus wrote a long hymn detailing how a young Artemis acquired her responsibilities. Famously, Artemis does not take kindly to mortal men and I retell a few of those stories. The ones involving Orion are the most interesting and show a more complicated side to Artemis.

Apollo is one of the most complicated of all the Greek gods. He was a god who had many different responsibilities, and gained more over time. In this episode, I go over the myths of Apollo’s birth and the more convoluted stories on how he founded his temple and oracle at Delphi.

In this episode, I enter what can be loosely called the ancient Greeks’ mythic Bronze Age. This episode focuses on the goddess Hera, the Queen of Heaven. In myth, Hera is typically portrayed as an angry wife, constantly dealing with the affairs of her husband Zeus. But those stories do not capture how important Hera was in ancient Greek religion. I also introduce the poet Homer, the Iliad, and the Homeric Hymns.

With the universe now under the control of Zeus and the Olympians, the uninhabited world now had to peopled with humans. In this episode I discuss several different ideas on the creation of humans held by the ancient Greeks. But regardless of how humans came to be, Hesiod says the Titan Prometheus took it upon himself to look after them. Prometheus ended up going against the will of Zeus and was punished accordingly.

Now the king, Zeus picks up the pieces following the defeat of Kronos. And he does that in the most “Zeus” way possible – by taking several lovers and having children. He assigns responsibilities to each of the gods and even keeps around those Titans who did not side with Kronos. The Titan Helios is kept responsible for the Sun. But, the world is almost destroyed by his son, Phaeton. I also introduce Hekate, another Titan ally of Zeus.