Myth Madness

Nathan Rutherford
  • 5.0 (2)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Myths from around the world with some history on the people and civilizations that told them.

  1. 2D AGO

    Jamshid's Fate in the Garshaspnama

    The last two episodes featured Jamshid, a legendary king of the world in Persian mythology. According to the Shahnameh, for many years Jamshid enjoyed the favour of the Creator and invented many aspects of civilization for the first people. However, hubris brought Jamshid’s downfall and he was eventually deposed by the monstrous tyrant Zahhak. After his overthrow, Jamshid disappeared for 100 years but was eventually found and executed by Zahhak. The Shahnameh does not say what Jamshid did for those 100 years. For that we have to look to another epic poem called the Garshaspnama...

    24 min

  2. DEC 8

    Zahhak - The Serpent-Shouldered

    After Jamshid was pushed from the throne, the monstrous Zahhak rose to power and the accursed tyrant ushered in a Dark Age. It was a backwards world where virtue was shunned and cruelty celebrated. However, hope was never far away. This episode (67) details the story of Zahhak as presented in the Shahnameh and the rise of the hero Fereydun.

    37 min

  3. NOV 24

    Jamshid

    One of the best sources for Persian myths is the Shahnameh or “Book of Kings”. This epic poem was composed in 1010 AD and is one of the most important examples of Iranian literature. It tells a legendary history of Persia, starting with creation and the doings of the first kings, and then covers stories of successive generations of kings and their heroic champions.  This episode (66) covers one of the most significant kings – Jamshid, and his rise and ultimate fall after he succumbs to hubris.

    27 min

  4. NOV 10

    Hushang & Tahmuras – Persian Mythology's Demon-Slayer Kings

    The struggle between Good and Evil is a central theme of Persian mythology. This is not just a human struggle. Persian myths and legends often feature divs, creatures who work mischief on behalf of the evil spirit Ahriman. In this episode (65) I talk about divs, how they made trouble for the early humans and how two legendary Persian kings – Hushang and Tahmuras – fought against the divs and defeated them.

    29 min

  5. OCT 27

    The Origin of Humans in Zoroastrianism

    In this episode (64) I cover the creation of humans according to ancient Zoroastrian religious texts. I talk about the role of Gayomart (aka Keyumars), the prototypical First Man, and how he fought against the supreme evil spirit Ahriman. To understand how these myths changed over time, I compare the Zoroastrian version to what is written in the Shahnameh, a medieval Persian epic poem. I also discuss the first couple Mashya and Mashyana and how their descendants spread over the Earth.

    19 min

  6. OCT 13

    Persian Mythology - The Creation of the World in Zoroastrianism

    Welcome back to Myth Madness! This season of the podcast covers Persian mythology. The Persian or Iranian civilization’s roots go back over 3000 years ago, and this episode (63) gives a summary of that history from antiquity to the middle ages. For most of that time, the dominant religion in Persia was Zoroastrianism, and this means its stories have a very distinct Zoroastrian flavour. This episode covers the Zoroastrian creation myth and explains how the forces of Good and Evil battle for control of the universe.

    32 min

  7. 12/11/2023

    Atreus & Thyestes – Cursed Brothers of Greek Mythology

    (62) Greek mythology is full of terrible tales, and the story of the brothers Atreus and Thyestes includes murder, adultery, incest and cannibalism. These two cursed sons of Pelops were exiled from their homeland. Later, they fought against each other for control of Mycenae. Tragedy and nastiness ensued.

    25 min

  8. 12/04/2023

    The Epigoni - Sons of the Seven

    (61) When the Seven Against Thebes were killed, they left behind children - Epigoni/Epigonoi. Athena assigned these Sons of the Seven the task of destroying Thebes and avenging their fathers. Some, like Thersander, Aegialeus, and Diomedes were enthusiastic in building an army. Alcmaeon, the son of the champion Amphiaraus, was not. Alcmaeon also blamed his mother Eriphyle for the death of his father and was at first torn between two conflicting duties. After the war was over, the Sons of the Seven had more adventures. Some rose to kingship. Alcmaeon struggled with the wrath of the gods.

    32 min
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About

Myths from around the world with some history on the people and civilizations that told them.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Rutherford
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Myth Madness
  • Show Website
    Myth Madness

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