Watch Great Mythologies of the World

Name: Great Mythologies of the World
Released: August 21, 2015
Cast: Grant L. Voth

Not Rated
2015
1 Season

Great Mythologies of the World from The Great Courses is a fascinating and in-depth exploration of some of the world's most captivating myths and legends. Hosted by Grant L. Voth, this series takes viewers on a journey through the rich and diverse cultures that have given rise to some of the most enduring stories in human history. Over the course of 24 lectures, Voth covers a range of myths and mythological figures from across the globe, including those from Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, Japan, and the Americas. Each lecture delves into the specific beliefs and traditions of the culture in question, placing the myths within their broader historical, social, and philosophical contexts. Throughout the series, Voth draws from a wealth of sources to bring these legends to life. He examines ancient texts, archaeological findings, artwork, and artifacts to help viewers visualize the stories and peoples he is discussing. He also highlights common themes and motifs that can be found across different cultures and time periods, helping viewers to better understand how myths have evolved and interconnected over the centuries. One of the strengths of Great Mythologies of the World is Voth's engaging style of presentation. He is clearly passionate about his subject matter, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He has a knack for explaining complex ideas in a straightforward and accessible way, making even the most intricate mythological systems feel relatable and relevant to modern audiences. Another strength of this series is its focus on the cultures themselves, rather than just the myths in isolation. Voth spends considerable time discussing the historical, social, and philosophical contexts that gave rise to these legends. For example, he explores how Ancient Egyptian myths were connected to the country's geography, climate, and religious practices, and how they helped to articulate ideas about the afterlife and the divine realm. By doing this, Voth gives viewers a more comprehensive understanding of the cultures he is exploring, which in turn helps to give the myths themselves more depth and resonance. In addition to its focus on specific cultures, Great Mythologies of the World also looks at some of the major themes and archetypes that recur throughout different mythological systems. For example, Voth examines the role of the hero figure in various traditions, and how heroes are often called upon to navigate complex moral dilemmas in order to achieve their goals. He also looks at the idea of creation, and how different cultures have imagined the origins of the universe and humanity. By doing so, Voth highlights the fundamental concerns and questions that myths across the world have sought to address. Overall, Great Mythologies of the World is an illuminating and engaging exploration of the myriad stories that have captivated human imagination for thousands of years. Whether you are a dedicated mythology buff or simply curious about the world's various cultures and traditions, this series is sure to offer something to enrich your understanding of our shared human experience.

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Seasons

60. Inca Myth as Imperial Mandate

August 21, 2015

Comparing the Incas to the Roman Empire, you'll find some fascinating parallels, both in history and in mythology. Hear the Kolla creation story from the Incas, based on their understanding of their world, which can still speak to us across the years.

59. Aztec Myth Meets Hernán Cort©s

August 21, 2015

Mesoamericans gods have several "manifestations" or "aspects," and each different manifestation has a different appearance, different powers, and is responsible for different things. Meet some of the major characters, and learn how to follow the stories in all their iterations.

58. The Maya and the Popol Vuh

August 21, 2015

Travel down to South and Central America to learn about the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Incas. While there are many shared stories and common origins, these people maintain cultures and myths that are significantly different from those of their cousins to the north.

57. Native American Tricksters

August 21, 2015

Go in-depth with the Trickster archetype. Although not exclusive to Northern American tales, the Trickster is the most popular character in Native American myths. There are likely more stories about him than about anyone else.

56. Stories of the Pueblo

August 21, 2015

Explore an excellent example of an emergence myth from the Zuni people, involving Awonawilona All-Father, his two boys, and the first writhing creatures of the deep. Compare this to a similar story from the Hopi, which stars Tewa the Sun Spirit, the culture hero Spider Grandmother, and Masauwu the Skeleton Man.

55. The Navajo Emergence Myth

August 21, 2015

Revisit the concept of "earth-diver" and "emergence" origin stories and see how they differ in the Southwest as you explore "air-spirit people" and their intriguing fables. Gain a deeper understanding of the duality of the Trickster as he both thwarts and contributes to the cultivation of the world.

54. Amerindian Tales from the Northwest

August 21, 2015

Life on the Northwest coast did not fit our image of typical Native American civilizations. Learn about how myths helped create these societies, villages, governing systems, and even an economic hierarchy that you don't see duplicated in many other regions, but remarkably mirrors some aspects of broader society today.

53. Mythology of the Plains Peoples

August 21, 2015

Journey through the Great Plains to look at new myths involving creatures and environments that can't be duplicated in other regions. Hear the fascinating story of the Buffalo Woman, and learn the way myths not only connect different groups of people, but also serve as a beacon of individuality.

52. Southeast Amerindian Origin Stories

August 21, 2015

The Southeast region of the United States was home to many different Native American cultures. Five major languages were spoken in the area, and a sign language was invented for easier inter-group communication. Learn how the constant cultural exchange resulted in an encompassing body of myths that tie the peoples together.

51. Tales and Rituals of the Iroquois League

August 21, 2015

Get an introduction to the "earth-diver" creation myths, and learn how many other peoples near the Iroquois and far away tell the same kind of story. You'll also consider myths that deal with the founding of various groups--different from what we normally think of as Native American myths, since they deal not with the long-ago mythic past but rather with a more recent, historical past.

50. Inuit and Northern Forest Mythology

August 21, 2015

Hear a riveting Inuit story of Sedna, the Old Woman (or Earth Mother) who lives under the sea. You'll also encounter the Nanabushu stories and the archetype of the Trickster, who is often a cultural hero, responsible for aiding in the creation of what we know today.

49. Nature in Native American Myth

August 21, 2015

Nature spirits take on a variety of forms in various cultures. Discover the maize myths and other stories about the origins of nature in the Americas. Learn how these stories demonstrate the way people answered questions about how the world came to be as it is.

48. Aboriginal and Colonial Myths of Australia

August 21, 2015

Australian mythology, like its wildlife, has features found nowhere else. Discover the mysterious underworld, from where most of life arose from the ground; encounter the Totemic Ancestors; hear tales of the creation of the world during Dream Time; and explore the mystical songlines. Another mind-bending aspect of Australian mythology: colonial occupiers who create their own myths.

47. Origins in Indonesia and the Philippines

August 21, 2015

Examine many variants on common mythological themes in this region: accounts of humanity emerging from eggs, intricate tales of the origins of different animals, and stories of how humans acquired (or reacquired) fire. Compare Trickster tales of the clever, delicate mouse-deer with those of the mischievous ape.

46. Melanesian Myths of Life and Cannibalism

August 21, 2015

Delve into variations of myths about the sun and moon, how humans and other creatures were created, and how death came into the world. Learn about the development of anthropology as a field of study, and see how cross-cultural misconceptions and fascinations can fuel false reports.

45. Creation and Misbehavior in Micronesia

August 21, 2015

Compare versions of the same myths found all over Micronesia, such as the creation story of the cosmic spider and the rebellious acts of the Trickster Olofat. Consider how the missionaries, anthropologists, and other Westerners who recorded these myths left their own indelible marks.

44. Nature Gods and Tricksters of Polynesia

August 21, 2015

Polynesian tales center around spirits of the natural world, some of whom are compassionate helper-deities and some, like the nasty menehune, that delight in causing trouble. Meet the supreme figures Ku and Hina, who have myriad subordinate versions; Lono, who has power over seas, clouds, and storms; and Maui, an inveterate Trickster who brings many gifts to humanity.

43. Gods, Rice, and the Japanese State

August 21, 2015

Discover how centuries of borrowing religious and political mythology from China and Korea led to a syncretic blending of political myth-making that was heavily influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism. Consider the dynastic myth of Okuninushi and his 80 brothers, and compare it to the story of the brothers Hoderi-no-mikoto and Hoori-no-mikoto.

42. Japanese Tales of Purity and Defilement

August 21, 2015

Prepare yourself for stories of decaying goddesses, befouled maidens from the underworld, deities emerging from a parent's dirty nostrils, and the contamination of the gods' most sacred spaces with divine excrement. The mythology of this culture, which prizes purity and has strong pollution taboos, is not for the squeamish.

41. Korea's Warring Kingdoms and Flying Dragons

August 21, 2015

Meet some pivotal figures of Korean mythology: the mythical culture hero Mireuk and his rival Seokga, the legendary king Hyokkose of Silla, and the self-sacrificing magistrate Pak Che-sang. Consider the porous border between mythology and history, and learn a trick for telling which myths have been altered by scholars.

40. Spirits and Syncretism in Korean Myth

August 21, 2015

Early Koreans interacted with the spirit world through spirit mediums, primarily women, who perform shamanic rituals and preserve cultural knowledge even up to the modern day. These traditions incorporate religious, mythological, and scholarly borrowings from Japan and China into a distinctively Korean syncretic blend.

39. Peasant Folktales and Chinese Scholarship

August 21, 2015

After centuries of oral retellings, the myths and sayings of rural peasants were transformed into formal verse by scholars, becoming the foundation for a highly sophisticated and nuanced body of writing that profoundly shaped subsequent literature. Unfortunately, much of the originality and charm of the myths was often removed in the name of moral lessons.

38. Chinese Heroes, Kings, and Destroyers

August 21, 2015

Chinese myths about the feats of culture heroes and the deeds of rulers, while relating stories about how things came to be, also engage with questions of what ought to be. Utopian stories of sage-kings are often told alongside dystopian tales of degenerate leaders. Explore the legends of the three revered kings Yao, Shun, and Yu the Great, and those of the two degenerates Jie and Zhou Xin.

37. Culture and Cosmos in Chinese Mythology

August 21, 2015

Begin your journey into the mythology of Asia and the Pacific with the story of Fu Xi, which illustrates a profound truth about both Chinese society and the mythology of the Pacific Rim: culture and human relations come first. See how the importance of social networks, the omnipresence of water, and the value of sacrifice comprise the three key motifs of the myths of this region.

36. African Heroes in the Underworld

August 21, 2015

In African mythology, as in myths around the world, it's not uncommon to find characters traveling to the land of the dead to face an ultimate challenge and experiencing a transformation as a result. Become familiar with three African mythological characters who brave the land of the dead, and witness how the experience affects them.

35. Death and the Afterlife in African Myth

August 21, 2015

Since the goal of mythology is often to provide reason to the unexplainable, it is no surprise that death and the afterlife are major themes throughout African stories, expressing yearning for immortality and questioning why we die. These myths draw blatant links between the importance of following divine instructions and adhering to communal law.

34. The Epic of Bakaridjan Kone

August 21, 2015

The epic of Bakaridjan Kone is much more recent than the Dausi, but it comes from almost the same part of Africa. Much of its history was wracked by war and tensions with the peoples of the surrounding communities, many of whom had been converted to Islam. Bakaridjan's story bears clear traces of the strong Muslim influence in that society.

33. The Dausi and African Epics

August 21, 2015

The epic looms large as a storytelling genre in world mythology. Because of their customary length and level of detail, epics often provide a more comprehensive sense of the early cultures that spawned them than any other literary form. African mythology contains numerous captivating epics. Explore what is known of an ancient and powerful one: the Dausi.

32. The African Morality Tale

August 21, 2015

Myths about the creation of the world or the establishment of a society provide people with an important sense of shared origins and beliefs. Stories play an essential role in maintaining a code of behavior and morals. In many cases, morality tales provide no clear right or wrong answers, but invite listeners to seek answers in discussions with one another.

31. Culture Heroes of African Myth

August 21, 2015

The earliest superheroes were the heroes of mythology. Though they're known for playing pivotal parts in the founding of societies, it's often impossible to know whether they actually ever existed. And fact-based or not, they inevitably capture something essential about the societies that tell them. Compare the Mongo story of Lonkundo, the Maasai story of Le-eyo, the Fon story of Sogbo, and more.

30. Close Encounters with African Divinities

August 21, 2015

Lesser divinities are often heavily involved in human affairs. The interactions between African gods and mortals express many different ideas about the relationship between mortal life and the divine. Examine the stories of Mregho and Ruwa, Miseke and Thunder, goddesses and mortals, and how Tricksters get involved in mortal relationships.

29. Africa's Gods and Humanity

August 21, 2015

A recurring theme in African myth is the physical separation between the original creator god and humanity and how that separation came about. While there are parallels to biblical stories of the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, the many ways in which theme is explored and retold offer interesting insights into the cultural framework behind it.

28. Tricksters of Africa

August 21, 2015

Tricksters are prevalent in mythologies around the world. From Anansi the Trickster spider to Norse Loki and Japanese Susa-no-wo, the archetype of the Trickster has resonated in storytelling worldwide. Tricksters in African myth are unrepentant troublemakers who are skilled at deception, just as they are in other folkloric traditions around the world.

27. African Religious Cosmology

August 21, 2015

The hierarchy of African religious myths is similar to that of many Western cultures. A single god occupies a high position of authority, responsible for the creation of the world. In variations across Africa, this supreme creator has many different names and stories. Learn about Cagn, Jok, Ngewo, and others, as well as a plethora of lesser divinities, sprit beings, and the emergence of shamans.

26. African Creation Stories

August 21, 2015

Many myths found across the globe wrestle with the concept of how the world started. African mythology is no exception, embracing a variety of philosophies including ex nihilo ("out of nothing") myths, chaos stories, and cosmology tales to explain our existence.

25. The Beauty of African Mythology

August 21, 2015

Jump into the distinctive elements of African mythology with the story of Shango--a fearsome king of the city-kingdom of Oyo who later became a god. Explore how the cyclical structure of the story is another distinctive feature of African myths. Rather than moving in a straight line, African myths may start in the middle, seem to end, circle back to the beginning, and then reach a conclusion.

24. Tales of Flood and Fire

August 21, 2015

Fire and flood are universal images, so it's not surprisingly that many myth traditions in South Asia and the Middle East include them in their stories of destruction and eventual renewal. See this powerful theme at work in Gilgamesh, Zoroastrian mythology, and the Buddha's "Sermon of the Seven Suns."

23. One Thousand and One Nights

August 21, 2015

Can an overwhelmingly secular text be read as mythology? Find out in this lecture on the One Thousand and One Nights, known in the West as The Arabian Nights. You'll get insights into great heroes like Sindhbad the sailor, mythical creatures like jinns, and the text's use of the supernatural to provide real-world guidance.

22. Persia's Book of Kings

August 21, 2015

The Book of Kings is widely regarded as the national epic of the world's Persian-speaking community. Go inside this 11th-century epic poem that traces 50 generations of Persian kings and heroes, including Rostam--whom you'll follow on his famous "seven labors" and his battle with the crown prince of Persia.

21. Stories of the Buddha

August 21, 2015

According to Professor McClymond, it's best to understand the mythology of Buddhism as a grand anthology of short stories. With this in mind, explore the life and beliefs of the Buddha, ponder the teachings of Buddhist myth as told through its stories, and examine stories that pit Buddhism against other religious traditions.

20. The Bhagavad Gita

August 21, 2015

Turn now to a section of the Mahabharata known as the Bhagavad Gita. You'll peel back the layers behind the popular story of the warrior Arjuna; learn how to read the Gita as a devotional story and a manual for life; and discover how it shaped Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy.

19. The Great Indian Epics

August 21, 2015

Get inside Indian culture with this lecture on its two great epics: the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Both are frame narratives that bring together hundreds of smaller stories. Both help establish Vishnu's importance among other Hindu gods. And both have had a lasting effect on Indian spirituality, politics, and literature.

18. The Book of Job

August 21, 2015

Examine the biblical Book of Job through a mythological lens and learn how it addresses the same basic questions of other myths. How do Job's trials and tribulations at the hand of the Hebrew god force us to look at the world--and our role within it--from a fresh perspective?

17. Myths of the Pharaohs

August 21, 2015

The pharaohs themselves played a vital role in Egyptian culture: maintaining cosmic order throughout the land. Investigate the lives and deaths (and possible afterlives) of several of ancient Egypt's 330 pharaohs, including King Amenhotep IV, who tried to become a supreme god, and Cleopatra, the civilization's last pharaoh.

16. Horus, Osiris, and Ra

August 21, 2015

Focus on three Egyptian gods who are inextricably linked with the pharaohs. They are the murdered and resurrected Osiris, associated with nature; Horus, the sky god responsible for unifying Upper and Lower Egypt; and Ra, the popular sun god known for his nightly journeys through the land of the dead.

15. Chaos and Order in Egypt

August 21, 2015

Perpetual violence. A destructive struggle between order and chaos. Welcome to the mythography of ancient Egypt, which includes multiple creation stories tied to different city centers; a fantastic pantheon of gods; different historical and mythic "time lines"; and maat, the overarching concept of morality and justice.

14. The Babylonian Creation Story

August 21, 2015

Where did ancient Babylonians believe the world came from? What startling similarities does their account have with the Bible's? Explore these and other questions in this look at the Enuma Elish, a sophisticated creation story (or cosmogony) that casts the average Babylonian as a mere afterthought in the eyes of the gods.

13. The World's Oldest Myth: Gilgamesh

August 21, 2015

Start these riveting lectures at the only appropriate point: the oldest story in the world. In looking at the epic of Gilgamesh, you'll learn how this foundational Babylonian myth reflects real historical tensions between ancient Eastern city-states; tensions mirrored in the myth's concerns with civilized--and untamed--human nature.

12. Hammers, Rings, and Other Norse Magic

August 21, 2015

Skidbladnir, the ship of the gods that can also fit in your pocket. Andvarinaut, a powerful ring that inspired a cycle of mythological stories. These and other magical items are the prized possessions of Norse kings, warriors, and heroes. And their importance--and legacies--are the subject of this final lecture.

11. Norse Tales of Odin and Thor

August 21, 2015

Dark and brooding, Norse mythology reflects the harsh living conditions of ancient Germanic and Scandinavian people. Here, focus on two of the most well-known Norse gods: Odin (the god of war who sacrificed himself on a tree) and Thor (the god of order who wields his dwarf-crafted hammer, Mjolnir).

10. The Dagda's Harp and Other Celtic Myths

August 21, 2015

Using the intriguing tale of Dagda and his magic harp as a framework, Professor McClymond introduces you to the often unappreciated world of Celtic mythology. Meet unforgettable heroes like Cº Chulainn and Lugh, and encounter powerful magical items and treasures with unique personalities, including the Stone of Fal.

9. The Mother Goddess in Rome and Beyond

August 21, 2015

What does Cybele reveal about the great mother goddesses of mythological traditions? Learn how this classic figure evolved over thousands of years, how it adapted to different cultures, how it became connected in Rome with power and aristocracy, and where it appears (and doesn't appear) in other human cultures.

8. Roman Heroes and Traitors

August 21, 2015

Discover why Aeneas, the ancestor of all Romans, and Tarpeia, who betrayed Rome for personal gain, are two sides of the same coin. As you explore their stories, you'll see how they offer inspirational (and cautionary) testaments to Rome's values--and reflect character types we see in almost every civilization's myths.

7. Romulus, Remus, and Rome's Origins

August 21, 2015

Not all Roman mythology is indebted to Greece. Focus on several uniquely Roman myths about the empire's founding, including the lives of the brothers Romulus and Remus and the abduction of the Sabine women. What's the difference between creation and origin stories? What are some traditional mythic elements we find in ancient Rome?

6. The Golden Fleece and the Hero's Return

August 21, 2015

An altogether different--and darker--mythological adventure story is Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. In pondering the best-known versions of both Jason's story and his wife, Medea's, you'll begin to see Jason as a failed hero and Medea as more than just the woman who murdered her own children.

5. Odysseus, Master of Schemes

August 21, 2015

Turn now to the hero of Homer's celebrated Odyssey: Odysseus. From his plans for the Trojan horse to his tricking of a murderous cyclops to his final arrival back in Ithaca, learn how Odysseus's scheming and lying led to heroic triumphs that made his story relatable to everyday ancient Greeks--and to modern readers.

4. Herakles and the Greek Hero

August 21, 2015

Investigate the mythological roots and legacies of the powerful--but flawed--Greek hero, Herakles. Explore common threads that run through some of his twelve labors, including the slaying of the Hydra and the cleaning of the Augean stables. Also, ponder Herakles's role in ancient Greek society as both mortal and god.

3. Gods and Humanity in Greek Thought

August 21, 2015

Discover fresh insights into several Greek myths that teach us about the relationship between gods and humans. Is Prometheus a troublemaker (according to Hesiod) or a liberator (according to Aeschylus)? What happened after Pandora's box of evil spirits was opened? How did Persephone's kidnapping inspire the Eleusinian Mysteries?

2. Complex Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera

August 21, 2015

Meet three iconic goddesses whose personalities and stories reflect how the ancient Greeks viewed women. They are: Athena, who emerged fully-formed from Zeus's head and is linked to legal courts; Aphrodite, best known for her wild love affair with Adonis; and Hera, Zeus's wife-sister, who presides over marriage and childbirth.

1. The Titans in Greek Mythology

Welcome to the ancient Greek myths: some of the most popular, well-known stories in Western civilization. When did these tales emerge, and what are our earliest sources for them? Find out in this lecture on father-son conflicts between Uranus, Kronos, Zeus, and the other first-generation gods known as the Titans.

Description

Over the course of 24 lectures, Voth covers a range of myths and mythological figures from across the globe, including those from Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, Japan, and the Americas. Each lecture delves into the specific beliefs and traditions of the culture in question, placing the myths within their broader historical, social, and philosophical contexts.

Throughout the series, Voth draws from a wealth of sources to bring these legends to life. He examines ancient texts, archaeological findings, artwork, and artifacts to help viewers visualize the stories and peoples he is discussing. He also highlights common themes and motifs that can be found across different cultures and time periods, helping viewers to better understand how myths have evolved and interconnected over the centuries.

One of the strengths of Great Mythologies of the World is Voth's engaging style of presentation. He is clearly passionate about his subject matter, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He has a knack for explaining complex ideas in a straightforward and accessible way, making even the most intricate mythological systems feel relatable and relevant to modern audiences.

Another strength of this series is its focus on the cultures themselves, rather than just the myths in isolation. Voth spends considerable time discussing the historical, social, and philosophical contexts that gave rise to these legends. For example, he explores how Ancient Egyptian myths were connected to the country's geography, climate, and religious practices, and how they helped to articulate ideas about the afterlife and the divine realm. By doing this, Voth gives viewers a more comprehensive understanding of the cultures he is exploring, which in turn helps to give the myths themselves more depth and resonance.

In addition to its focus on specific cultures, Great Mythologies of the World also looks at some of the major themes and archetypes that recur throughout different mythological systems. For example, Voth examines the role of the hero figure in various traditions, and how heroes are often called upon to navigate complex moral dilemmas in order to achieve their goals. He also looks at the idea of creation, and how different cultures have imagined the origins of the universe and humanity. By doing so, Voth highlights the fundamental concerns and questions that myths across the world have sought to address.

Overall, Great Mythologies of the World is an illuminating and engaging exploration of the myriad stories that have captivated human imagination for thousands of years. Whether you are a dedicated mythology buff or simply curious about the world's various cultures and traditions, this series is sure to offer something to enrich your understanding of our shared human experience.