The tale of The Golden Bough startled people in 1890 when mythologist Sir James George Fraser claimed human sacrifice was practiced in the heart of the Roman Empire. In this episode, we take our time machine back to 15 AD to see for ourselves!

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What happened to the Greeks after death? What did other people in 500 BC believe? In this episode, we look at the afterworld of Greeks, Jews, Egyptians, Persians, Buddhists and Chinese.

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The great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius kept a private diary during his endless military campaigns against the empire’s invaders. A new translation of this important text is now out and prominently features the Greek gods.

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The hero of the Odyssey and the Trojan War has to navigate treacherous waters and deities on his 10-year journey home. We join Odysseus for part of it. Meet Circe, the Sirens, and the sea monsters that slow his passage. If the trip had been ranked on a travel website, it would have gotten a negative rating.

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A shaman suddenly appears in ancient Greece to proclaim that Pythagoras, the founder of philosophy, is divine. Behind the scenes, Apollo lurks.

Listen as the Greeks are shocked at what unfolds!

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EP 67 — Strange & Obscure Tales

Four tales in one episode, all little known. Each focuses on the relationship between gods and men. One may well reveal the origin of werewolves.

Come play with Zeus, Demeter, Artemis and Hermes.

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This episode looks at the infamous Judgment of Paris, which sounds like a French court decision, but was actually a beauty contest between Greek goddesses! Join Hera, Athene and Aphrodite for the lead-up to the Trojan War and all the chaos that followed.

And we re-introduce the goddess Eris, a nasty purveyor of war and destruction.

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This episode looks in depth at the unexpected themes of Greek pottery and how gods and heroes are depicted. We also examine the strange effigies of the god Hermes. You’ll meet a Hermes unlike any you’ve encountered.

This episode is also unusual in that it is not suitable for underage listeners.

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