Thousands of years ago Myths were used to help frame the world of the ancients, and dictate the guidelines of their societies. Today they are often the first stories we learn as children, iconic tales in which good and evil clash, and humanity and fantasy collide. But what is the reality behind these stories? From the epic tragedy of Medusa, Greek mythology’s most infamous femme fatale, to Hercules, its greatest action hero, and Hades, master of the land of the dead and a god so feared no one would speak his name, explore these myths and the legendary figures who inspired them in this series. Each episode connects ancient myths to actual historical events, as well as to events in the Bible and other cultures mythologies, gaining important historical insight from renowned scholars in search of the truth behind the legends.
Episode 1 Zeus – The story of Zeus and how he escaped being swallowed by his father Cronus, led the Olympians to defeat the Titans and gained control of the universe.
Episode 2 Hercules – Hercules, the strongest man in the world, murdered his family in a fit of rage. To atone for this crime, he is given twelve difficult and dangerous labours to complete.
Episode 3 Hades – Hades is the lord of the underworld and the keeper of dead souls. This episode tells how Hades came to this position, why he was so feared, and what the Greeks thought awaited them after death.
Episode 4 The Minotaur – The Minotaur was a flesh eating monster, half-man and half-bull, that lived in the labyrinth beneath the palace of Minos. Every 9 years, seven youths and seven maidens were chosen from Athens to be sacrificed to the Minotaur. Until a brave man named Theseus braved the labyrinth and killed the beast.
Episode 5 Medusa – Medusa was once a beautiful priestess of Athena until her vow of chastity was broken by Poseidon raping her. Refusing to punish Poseidon, Athena turns her wrath on Medusa and transforms her into a Gorgon, a monster so hideous that any person who saw her turned to stone. But she eventually meets her end at the hands of Perseus.
Episode 6 Odysseus: Curse of the Sea – Odysseus, king of Ithaca, leaves his wife and son to fight in the Trojan War. After the Greeks’ victory, he attempts to sail home, but has to face many challenges. After defeating a Cyclops on Sicily, the beast asks his father, Poseidon, to curse Odysseus. The story is continued in the following episode.
Episode 7 Odysseus: Warrior’s Revenge – Odysseus continues his journey across the chaotic sea, confronting sorceresses, sea monsters, and even a journey into death itself to reach his wife before she is forced to marry another.
Episode 8 Beowulf – The Norse saga of Beowulf, who battles with Grendel and other monsters.
Episode 9 Tolkien’s Monsters – About J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and how both legends and real life influenced it.
Episode 10 Thor – About the Norse god Thor and his nemesis, the Midgard Serpent.