Mythology Explained

By Mythology ExplainedHistory

Mythology Explained episodes

April 22, 2023 Are Demons More Powerful Than Angels?
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video we're going to try and figure out whether demons are more powerful than angels.

Let me start off by saying that this question has no definitive answer and that there's a lot of different ways one could try to answer it, different ways yielding different results. There's different angelic hierarchies, and there's different demonic hierarchies, many of which, in both cases, have been influential for centuries. Although, I will say that angelic hierarchies do have a degree of legitimacy that the demonic hierarchies do not. Most demonic hierarchies were produced during the late medieval period, the renaissance, and the early modern period, and words like occult and folklore go a lot farther in describing them accurately than the phrase 'Christian doctrine'. The bible has little to say about angels and even less about demons.

We'll begin by answering two questions: where do demons come from, and how is the angelic hierarchy structured?

Answering where demons come from, we'll explore the theory of demons being fallen angels. While this isn't the only theory that explains the origin of demons (in the Book of Enoch, for example, demons are said to be the spirits of the Nephilim) It is the most widely accepted theory in Christianity, as evidenced by many of the early church fathers endorsing it.

Answering how the angelic hierarchy is structured, we'll look at Dionysius the Areopagite's angelic hierarchy, one of the most influential and widely recognized systems of angelic stratification in Christian theology. However, it is important to note that there is no single "official" version of the angelic hierarchy accepted by all Christian denominations, different traditions having various interpretations and classifications of angels.
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16 min
April 20, 2023 The Ancient & Evil King Who Became Master of Hell
Hey everyone, and welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we'll be discussing an intriguing Old Testament passage that has been subject to various interpretations over time. Originally, it was understood in a more literal sense as referring to a Babylonian king. However, during the time of the early church fathers, this passage took on a metaphorical meaning, connecting it to Satan's fall from heaven after he rebelled against God.

Let's get into it.

Isaiah 14:12-15 is a fascinating passage from the Old Testament, interpreted differently throughout history. While the original meaning of the passage refers to the king of Babylon, it was eventually connected to the fall of Lucifer, or Satan, in Christian theology, this becoming the prevailing interpretation. Here's the passage:

How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah delivers a prophetic message on behalf of God. Addressing the King of Babylon, Isaiah uses metaphorical language to describe the ruler as the "morning star" or "son of the dawn." This king was known for his arrogance, pride, and unquenchable desire for power, and the passage serves to condemn his hubris.

The King's grandiose ambitions to rise above other nations and become like the Most High (God) are detailed in verses 13-14. However, verse 15 prophesies his eventual downfall, stating that he will be brought down to the realm of the dead. This passage serves as a stark warning to those who exalt themselves and pursue power at the expense of others.
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11 min
April 17, 2023 When Aliens Gifted the Infinite Power of God to Humanity
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Ark of the Covenant, the receptacle that was built to hold the 10 commandments.

The Ten Commandments are a set of moral and religious laws that are central to Judaism and Christianity. According to the Bible, the Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai and are considered to be the foundation of Jewish and Christian ethical and moral beliefs, instructing people in their relationship with God and in their relationships with each other.

We're going to start things off by looking at 5 occult theories about what the Ark of the covenant truly is. Following that we're going to look at the life of Moses: beginning with his inauspicious birth and his serendipitous adoption into the Egyptian Royal family. This will take us to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their Journey to Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the 10 commandments. The ark was built shortly thereafter to house the 10 commandments and, after 40 long years of wandering in the wilderness, was eventually brought to the land of Canaan, the land promised to the Israelites by God. We'll see how the Ark was instrumental in securing a number of military victories for the Israelites, allowing them to conquer the land that was promised them so long ago, how it was captured by the Philistines, and how the wrongful possession of it brought nothing but devastation to the Philistines, who eventually returned it, along with a bounty of compensatory gold. Finally, we're going to wrap the video up with what could be called the Ark's final chapter: its transportation to Jerusalem, its disappearance when Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians, and a few theories that speak to where the Ark might be today.

Let's get into it.
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25 min
April 06, 2023 The Titan Too Powerful for Tartarus
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we'll be discussing Atlas, the titan condemned to hold the sky up upon his shoulders for all of eternity, the Titan - because of his incredible power, unbreakable will, and superlative leadership - who was singled-out and saddled with a bespoke punishment that was even worse than being cast down into the depths of Tartarus, as was the fate of all the other male Titans who fought against the gods in the Titanomachy.

Let's get into it.

Said to be a wise man and known as the father of astronomy, Atlas was the Titan saddled with the unending burden of holding up the heavens on his shoulders, functioning as a living pillar that separated earth from sky. He could be found, locked between Gaia and Uranus, in the far West, near the edge of the world, adjacent to where the Hesperides dwelt. And because of the tireless effort required for his perpetual task, Atlas was associated with endurance and resilience.

The first generation Titans comprised the original 12 titans who were the progeny of two primordial deities, Gaia, the personification of the earth, and Uranus, the personification of the sky. Atlas' father was Iapetus, one of the original 12 Titans, and his mother was Clymene, one of the Oceanids, which was a group of 3,000 sea nymphs who were the daughters of Oceanus. Atlas, along with his three brothers, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius, were second generation Titans. Unlike the other titans who fought against the Olympians during the Titanomachy, which was the cataclysmic 10 year war that raged between the gods and the Titans, Atlas wasn't condemned to an eternity of imprisonment in the depths of Tartarus. No, his special punishment was to forever hold up the heavens upon his shoulders.
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7 min
March 30, 2023 The Unstoppable Weapon that Pierced the Heart of Jesus Christ
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Spear of Destiny, the spear that pierced Jesus after he died on the cross (also called the Holy Spear, the Lance of Longinus, and the Holy Lance). We're going to begin by spending a little time on the spear's current location, then moving on to Hitler, who, at the very least, has become closely associated with it in popular culture, then moving on to the practice of crucifixion, and finally, wrapping up the video with the death of Jesus and the significance of both water and blood pouring forth from Jesus' chest after he was stabbed.

Let's get into it.

First and foremost, it's important to note that the Spear of Destiny was just a regular spear before it pierced the side of Jesus Christ. It was the blood of Jesus that made it special. The true whereabouts of the Spear of Destiny are unknown and remain a mystery. While there are many legends and stories about the spear and its ownership, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that anyone currently possesses it or knows where it is.

Over the years, many alleged "Holy Lances" have been discovered, but none of them have been authenticated or substantiated as the true Spear that pierced Jesus. Some of these lances are believed to be mediaeval forgeries, while others are believed to be genuine relics but lack the historical provenance to conclusively corroborate them to be the spear onto which the blood of Jesus poured.

Some have suggested that the true Spear of Destiny may have been lost or destroyed centuries ago. Others believe that it may still exist, perhaps surreptitiously stashed away in a secret location by an ancient steward of bygone centuries, perhaps held by a private collector or organization that hasn't been forthcoming about the possession.
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16 min
March 27, 2023 The Avenging Angel Who Slaughtered 185,000 Soldiers in One Night
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the angel who single-handedly erased an entire army in one night, slaughtering 185,000 soldiers in one fell swoop.

First, we're going to look at the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem based on what is said in Assyrian sources; second, we're going to look at the biblical account, which ends with an unnamed angel wiping out the Assyrian army and delivering Jerusalem from ruin and subjugation.

Let's get into it.

Sennacherib was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 705 BC to 681 BC. He was the son of Sargon II, and his reign was marked by numerous military campaigns and architectural projects that aimed to strengthen and expand the empire. Sennacherib is best known for his campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah and the city of Babylon, as well as for constructing the new Assyrian capital, Nineveh.

Sennacherib's military campaigns aimed to consolidate the empire's power and suppress revolts in conquered territories. He fought against various regional powers, including the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Elamites, and Arameans.

Historical records, primarily from Assyrian sources, indicate that Sennacherib did launch a campaign against the Kingdom of Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. This is supported by "Sennacherib's Annals," which are a series of inscriptions on clay prisms that describe Sennacherib's military campaigns.

Thanks for watching!
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7 min
March 21, 2023 Demon of the Deep: Satan's Sea Monster Form
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Leviathan, the biblical sea monster, a monster so infamous that his very name has become a byword for sea monsters in general. Depending on the source, it is either a large sea animal, a sea monster, an archdemon, another name for Satan, or a wellspring of power that can be tapped into by those with arcane knowledge or unorthodox religious beliefs.

We're going to begin with the Book of Job, which is where most of the biblical information about Leviathan comes from. Next, we'll take a look at how he factors into demonology. Following that we're going to explore the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation myth. It features a monstrous goddess named Tiamat who is thought by some to perhaps be an antecedent that influenced the inclusion of Leviathan in Jewish Scripture and, thus, Christian Scripture.

Let's get into it.

Most of the Biblical information about Leviathan comes from the Book of Job, from chapter 41. In it, he's described as a giant sea monster: invincible scales armoring his body, fire erupting from his mouth, and smoke billowing from his nostrils. Mortal weapons are useless against him, and such is his strength that to him steel is like straw and brass like rotten wood. To see him is to have the frozen fist of fear grasp one's heart, and not even the bravest can stand before him.
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13 min
March 16, 2023 Why the Smartest Man Alive Really Got His Head Chopped Off
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Mimir, a giant who was counted among the gods and renowned the nine realms over for his knowledge and wisdom. He was traded in a hostage exchange to end a war between two warring tribes of gods. He was decapitated by his captors, his severed head later reanimated by Odin. And he was the master of the well of Mimir, a well that teemed with knowledge, wisdom, and mystical power that could be harnessed by those who drank from it - that is, by those who could stomach the sacrifice needed to drink from it.

We're going to begin with the Aesir-Vanir War, then moving on to Mimir's time as a hostage, and finally, wrapping up with the Well of Mimir and Mimir's relationship with Odin.
Let's get into it.

With that covered, we're now going to dive into the Aesir Vanir War.

One day, a sorceress traversed the rainbow bridge, crossed into Asgard, and approached the impregnable gates and towering walls of the Aesir fortress. She introduced herself as Gullvieg, meaning "Lust for Gold. At first, the Aesir gods were apprehensive about letting Gullveig into their midst, for the conventional wisdom was that those who practiced sorcery weren't the most reputable or trustworthy sort, having a penchant for mischief, trickery, and sowing disorder. Despite this, Gullveig won them over with her charm and with her promises of wealth and power. She was a master of Seidr, a feminine sort of magic, which she harnessed to perform favors for various gods. However, as time went on, rather than improve lives, her magic was a source of strife, not betterment. Gods were resentful of other gods that gained advantage and prestige through Gullveig's arts, thinking them obtained unfairly.
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10 min
March 12, 2023 Proto-Angels: The First Angels to Walk the Earth
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Lamassu, spirits who functioned as protectors and guardians in Ancient Mesopotamia. They aren't a direct antecedent of the angels found in the Abrahamic religions, but there are certainly several parallels to be drawn, namely: having wings, functioning as the protectors of humanity, being spiritual entities who serve the gods, and possessing the ability to move between worlds, specifically, the realm of mortality and the realm of divinity.

And to start us off, here's a passage from The Assyrian Winged Bull:

"The image of the Assyrian winged bull or lion is one of the most familiar and enduring symbols of the ancient Near East. These protective spirits... were typically placed at the entrances of important buildings such as palaces, temples, and other significant structures, to serve as guardians. The Lamassu, as they were known, were associated with the gods and goddesses of Mesopotamian mythology, and were believed to possess the power to protect people and their property from harm. They were often depicted in ancient art as powerful, winged creatures with a human head and the body of a bull or lion, conveying their ability to move between the earthly and spiritual realms, and to serve as protectors and guides for those who invoked their power."

The Lamassu are composite creatures of Mesopotamian mythology, and their origins can be traced back to the late 4th millennium BC. While it is difficult to determine exactly which ancient Mesopotamian culture first engendered the Lamassu, it is generally believed that the Sumerians played a significant role in their development.
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6 min
March 09, 2023 When Zeus Turned Hera Into a Cloud to Romance a Man
Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Nephele, a cloud nymph whom Zeus created in the likeness of Hera to seduce Ixion, a man infatuated with Hera. This was contrived as a test Ixion failed spectacularly, and his lust and lack of scruples earned him a permanent vacation in Tartarus, bound to a spinning flaming wheel for all of eternity.

Let's get into it.

In Greek mythology, Nephele was a cloud nymph who played a significant role in the story of Ixion and the creation of the centaurs.

Ixion was a mortal king who had attempted to seduce Hera, the wife of Zeus. In order to punish Ixion for his hubris and unbridled hedonism, Zeus decided to create a decoy doppelganger of Hera, which he called Nephele. Nephele was a cloud nymph, and Zeus created her in the image of Hera so that she would look and act like the real goddess.

When Ixion saw Nephele, he was immediately taken with her beauty and so uncannily similar was she in manner and appearance that he believed her to be the goddess in the flesh, the queen of the gods herself. He attempted to seduce her, but Zeus, who had been watching the entire time, closed the jaws of his trap. He was outraged, understandably so - the man actually had the audacity to make a play for the queen of the gods, wife of Zeus, aegis bearer, whose wrath was the black-clouded sky wreathed with lightning. An example was to be made, and Zeus' thought process must have been akin to a torturer running the tips of his fingers over his instruments of pain, deliberating over which one he'd use.
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7 min

About Mythology Explained

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On Mythology Explained we will be diving deep in to all kinds of Mythology: Greek, Roman, Norse, Chinese, Egyptian - you name it. If you've always been curious about the beginnings of Hercules or how…