What happens to the cosmos when a god is defeated? When order itself is held captive by the scaled coils of chaos, from where can hope possibly arise?

In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we unearth one of the darkest and bloodiest tales from Hittite mythology: The Legend of Illuyanka. We trace the narrative through two distinct, brutal versions of the story, each recounting the Storm God's desperate struggle against a great serpent and the terrible prices paid for victory.

From the cunning scheme of the goddess Inara and the tragic fate of the mortal Hupasiya, to an even darker second telling where a father forges his own son into a weapon of vengeance, you will bear witness to the cruel games of the gods and humanity's fragile place within them.

Are you prepared to listen to the epic whispered across the ancient lands of Anatolia?

#HittiteMythology #Illuyanka #AnatolianLegends #Mythology #Podcast #VeritasAntiqua #StormGod #AncientHistory

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Is a myth just a story? Or is it a mirror reflecting the rituals, beliefs, and history of an entire civilization?

In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we don't just tell the story of Illuyanka—we excavate it like archaeologists. You will meet the historical figures behind this powerful myth, from Kella the priest to Pihaziti the scribe, and bear witness to the duties and societal role of the sacred clergy in the city of Nerik.

We take a deep dive into the inseparable link between the Illuyanka narrative and the ancient Purulli festival, which celebrated the cycle of nature. We'll explore the various academic interpretations and uncover how this myth was more than a story; it was a ritual brought to life.

Are you ready to decipher this ancient heritage, passed down to us on clay tablets?

#HittiteHistory #Archaeology #AncientMythology #Illuyanka #MythAndRitual #MythologyPodcast #VeritasAntiqua #AncientNearEast

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What if the most powerful forces governing your life—money, nations, human rights—only exist because we collectively agree to believe in them?

In the first international episode of Veritas Antiqua's new series, "Mind Library," we dive deep into the world-changing ideas of Yuval Noah Harari's "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind." How did our species go from being an insignificant animal to the rulers of the planet? What is the secret superpower that allows millions of strangers to cooperate, build cities, and wage wars? The answer lies in our unique ability to create and live inside "imagined realities."

Join us for a conversation that explores the fictions that shape our world, from ancient gods to modern corporations.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Cognitive Revolution and why our minds, not our muscles, won the evolutionary race.

• Dunbar's Number: The biological limit that Sapiens managed to break with shared stories.

• "Imagined Realities": What's the difference between a lie and a collective fiction like the Peugeot corporation?

• The Gilgamesh Project: How science is reframing death from an inevitable fate to a "technical problem" to be solved.

• The biology of happiness and why all our progress might not actually be making us happier.

Let us know what book we should analyze next in the Mind Library!

• In the previous episode, we listened to how Kumarbi's pawn, the god KAL, seized the kingship of the heavens. But what happens when a puppet becomes more powerful than its masters? How does hubris turn a victory into a disaster? In this commentary episode, we dissect the political intrigue behind the myth of KAL, the dangers of hubris, and the struggle of a creator against his own creation. Join us as we explore the strategies and lessons hidden within this divine game of thrones.

Can a pawn achieve what monsters could not? Can a puppet king overthrow the mighty Storm God, Teshub? In this episode, we delve into a tale of divine political intrigue—a coup d'état directed from the shadows by Kumarbi and Ea. Their new champion, the God KAL, rises to seize the throne. But power is an elixir that can poison even the most loyal of pawns. Discover how King KAL's hubris turns even his own creators against him, plunging the heavens into a new and uncertain chaos.

In our last episode, we heard the story of Hedammu, Kumarbi's monster born of the sea. But what does it tell us that the Goddess Ishtar defeated with cunning the very beast the gods could not overpower with brute force? In this follow-up analysis, we decipher the themes behind the Hedammu myth. We interpret the use of femininity as a weapon, the symbolism of insatiable desire and appetite, and how intelligence can bring even the wildest of monsters to its knees. Join us as we solve the deeper meanings hidden in this complex myth.

In our last episode, we heard the terrifying story of Ullikummi. But what does this ancient epic truly tell us? In this follow-up analysis, we peel back the layers of the myth to interpret the psychology of revenge, the limits of brute force, and the ultimate triumph of forgotten wisdom. Join us as we explore the deeper meanings hidden behind this epic tale.