Today we take a look at Journey to the West a true classic of Chinese literature. An epic pilgrimage that features everyone's favorite shapeshifting trickster Sun Wukong the Monkey King.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the secrets of the Arctic, its forgotten and obscure creatures found in Inuit folklore and mythology.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at a true horror classic in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Hopefully you enjoy this abridged version narrated by Mythology & Fiction explained.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we take a look at the Augsburg book of miracles, a manuscript from an unknown author containing miraculous signs through out the ages, a collection of renaissance art and religious stories that many thought would predict future events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the Dictionnaire Infernal otherwise known as the Infernal Dictionary, written by Jacques Collin de Plancy. This manuscript delves into many of the lesser known and forgotten demons as well as the practices and beliefs surrounding the occult.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we take a look at the mystery behind the monster that plagued the French countryside in the 18th century, but what exactly was the beast of Gevaudan? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the dragons, the history behind these mythical monsters and how their appearance and significance has changed over time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the all three parts of Dante's Divine Comedy, Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at some Mesopotamian mythology with the goddess Tiamat and the creation story of the Enuma Elis. Was she the mother of monsters or the creator of life?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we return to the work of John Milton to take a look at the sequel to Paradise Lost. Paradise Regained follows the events Paradise Lost where the son of God must overcome the temptation of Satan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the events that transpired which caused one of the largest scale wars in Greek Mythology the Trojan War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're taking a look the origin and history of the Grim Reaper as well as a look at the various deities and spirits of death from around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at Loki's children, some are fairly monstrous and others less so. These include Fenrir, Hel, Jormungandr, Sleipnir and Nari. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at John Milton's classic poem, Paradise Lost. The story that attempts to paint Satan as a sympathetic character with reasoning behind his actions that extend past just being an evil demon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the various stories surrounding Zeus and his lovers, some strange and some quite tragic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the history of fairies, what exactly they are and where they came from. This includes multiple regions around the world and features creatures such as Changelings, leprechauns, Pixies, Banshees, Boggarts and even angels and demons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore what a potential encounter between Zeus and Thor could look like, how it would take place and who would ultimately end up victorious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the angel Samael and the various texts that seem to contradict and confuse many as to who Samael was and what role he played. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at some West African Folklore with the Ghanaian legend of the trickster spirit Anansi the spider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore five legends & cryptids from Britain. The terrible swamp hag Jenny Greenteeth, the brave giant slaying Jack, the terror Black Annis, the fiendish Black Shuck and the mysterious Hairy Hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at 5 festive legends including, Gryla, the Yule Cat, the Yule Lads, Befana and the Kallikantzaros. From Iceland we have the terrible child eating troll Gryla, her pet cat the Yule Cat which stalks the snowy countryside looking for those who were unfortunate enough to not receive any new clothing during Christmas. Lastly we have her 13 sons, the Yule Lads. Who arrive in town one at a time each night from the December 12th until Christmas Eve. These pranksters wreak havoc and ensure that little peace and rest will be had. In Italy they tell stories of an old woman called Befena who rides a broomstick and delivers presents to children. In Greece and the Balkans exist the Kallikantzaroi who spend most of the year underground trying to destroy the tree of life. However during the twelves days of Christmas they surface to cause havoc which allows the tree of life time to regenerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at some of the creatures that may feature in the second season of the Witcher as well as some we have already seen. We also explore some of the folklore influences behind these creatures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we continue our Strange & Terrifying creature series with 6 figures from Native American Folklore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Mythology & Fiction Explained explores the concept of the seven archangels. Who they were and what they represent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at a gargantuan mythical monster of the sea that has appeared in cultures all around the world. A creature so terrifying humanity is powerless to stop it, the creature is of course the Leviathan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we travel to North America, a region that has hundreds of strange and unique creatures. The five creatures or Cryptids we will be focusing on today are, Bigfoot, Devil Dogs, the Beast of Busco, the Loveland Frog and the Flatwoods Monster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the many strange creatures and legends that are native to Sweden. These creatures include the Draugr, Skogsraet, Myling, Nacken, Mara, Trollcat and Vittra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at how angels were described in various religious texts and they look nothing like you'd expect, unless you imagined nightmarish Lovecraftian beings. These figures include the Seraphim, Cherubim, Ophanim and the Virtues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we finally take a look at Ovid's Metamorphoses a selection of cautionary transformation tales. Some of the figures we'll be taking a look at today include Calisto, Arachne, Pygmalion, Daedalus & Icarus and Battus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we will be exploring the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. A great piece of Arthurian lore that covers multiple themes from Honesty, chivalry, temptation, seduction and human nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the Seven Deadly Sins with one main goal, to find out why they were considered so deadly. In order to uncover their origins we must examine how and why they came to exist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Conquest, War, Famine and Death. We examine who are they are and what they represent using information from the book of revelation and the book of ezekiel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we finally return to Dante's Divine Comedy with Purgatorio, having covered Inferno and due to very very popular demand we are now tagging along with Dante and Virgil as they travel through Purgatory. Join us on this wild adventure and we take another look into the wild mind of Dante Alighieri. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the queen of Olympus herself, Hera! We take a look at the domains and worship surrounding Hera, as well as the many stories she appears in. The story of how she married Zeus, her involvements in the story of Jason and his hunt for the golden fleece, her hatred for Heracles, how she played a large role in starting the Trojan war and of course the treatment of Zeus' many lovers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Mythology & Fiction Explained explores the worst punishments of Greek mythology that were dished out to kings and regular mortals alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mermaids - Today we take a look at the stories behind Mermaids from Greek mythology, Mesopotamian mythology, Russian & British folklore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The book of Enoch is a religious text that covers Angels, Demons, Giants and even the events surrounding the great flood. Today we take a look at the book of the Watchers which discusses the angels fall from grace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the numerous legends surrounding Vampire folklore from all around the world. As we attempt to draw a conclusion as to why Vampires in fiction today differ so greatly from the Vampires of old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the seven princes of hell using a classification written by Peter Binsfeld based on the seven deadly sins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prince Ivan has freed the evil sorcerer Koschei the immortal, now he must embark on a quest to save his wife and defeat a sorcerer who cannot be killed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the first part of the Divine Comedy... Dante's inferno. We journey through the nine circles of hell with Dante and Virgil as they try to escape with the ultimate goal of making it to paradise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dark World is our very own series of short horror stories that feature all sorts of creatures and monsters from folklore all around the world. Today in Dark World episode 2 Curse of the Wendigo, our protagonist Chase struggles with his own personal demons while what he believes to be a Wendigo stalks his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the stories behind the Satyr and Faun as they appeared in both Greek and Roman mythology. We take a look at the different types and how the two differed in appearance and personality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at a tribe of fierce warrior women that the ancient Greeks referred to as the Amazons. An isolated tribe of warrior women who were very accustomed to the spartan way of life, they had many queens and took part in a many wars as they could but were they even women to begin with? We take a look at who they were, where they came from and where in Greek mythology they were mentioned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at some of the most popular strange locations that appear in the work of H.P Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos. These include Arkham, a hub for the supernatural. Innsmouth, the sleepy fishing town where the deep ones hide. Dunwhich, the home of a true terror. The Nameless City, home to a mysterious race of reptiles. Carcosa, the ruins of a once great city. Hyperborea, a harsh and unforgiving frozen wasteland. R'lyeh the underwater city where the great Cthulhu slumbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at the fall of Lucifer and how he went from the most beautiful angel in heaven to a grotesque demon who ruled hell. We examine the references in biblical scriptures and how Lucifer and Satan became the same figure. We then take a look at how Lucifer and Satan are represented in two works of literature, Dante's Inferno and John Milton's Paradise Lost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we take a look at some Greek mythology with Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth & Sacrificial Flame. Hestia is one of the first six Olympian deities and perhaps the least mentioned because of her commitment to keeping the sacred hearth burning. We examine the few stories she appears in, how she was viewed in overall Greek religion, how her worship took place and why it was so important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take look at the history and alleged sighting involving New Jersey's most famous Cryptid, the Jersey Devil! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a look at some more Greek mythology with one of its most iconic deities... Poseidon lord of the sea! We examine the origins of his worship, the stories he appeared in and some of his many many children and lovers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch out boys and girls because he certainly knows if you've been naughty... In today's episode we examine the legend of the Christmas demon Krampus! We take a look at the influences and stories surrounding Krampus pre Christian era followed by the more modern Krampus figure used by the church to slowly phase out pagan practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we take a look at the stories behind a demon who comes to men in their dreams and feeds off them in order to sustain themselves and create more demons, the Succubus. This is an old episode but it's still one of my personal favourites as it covers some very interesting points in history regarding how the church viewed demons like the succubus, it also includes a pope who claimed to have slept with a succubus so what more could you ask for in terms of entertainment? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we take a look at the giants of Greek mythology, their creation, battles, personalities and the most famous stories they appear in. The most famous of these stories being the Gigantomachy, the epic battle between gods and giants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we explore the origins of the most legendary sea monster of all time, the Kraken! We take a look at it's mythical origins and how 19th and 20th century literature made sure it became one of the most notorious monsters in fiction. Even today it's rather strange how often the name and imagery still appears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today in this episode we take a look at a set of creatures that have become a staple in modern fantasy, Goblins. We examine their various origins from countries all around Europe and how they are represented in more modern forms of media. We also learn the true identity of our host, is he truly human? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we delve into some Slavic folklore with the tale of Baba Yaga the wild witch of the woods. In this episode we take a look at her many different depictions, origins and the classical stories that she appeared in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the many stories surrounding one of Greek Mythology's most iconic and misrepresented figures, Medusa. Was she always a monster? Perhaps an unfortunate victim who was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or did the ancient Greeks view her as a protector who could keep evil away? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the stories behind the Victorian legend of Spring Heeled Jack the demon terror of London. A mysterious shadowy figure who stalked the rooftop of London in search for his next victim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore a very popular figure in Jewish demonology & mythology as well as some biblical stories, Lilith the mother of demons. We take a look her various depictions over the years to try and understand whether she was a demon that all other demons came from or whether she was the first wife of Adam before she rebelled and fled the garden of Eden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the story behind the Greek Hero Jason and his crew of Argonauts as they embark on an epic and perilous quest to recover the golden fleece and reclaim the kingdom that was stolen from him.. This episode follows Jason's journey to Colchis in search of the legendary golden fleece, but along the way the Argonauts must brave treacherous conditions, hostile natives, six armed giants, sirens, harpies, dragons and the wrath of the gods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices