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Mythology
Myths, gods, heroes, and ancient epics from all different ancient civilizations, with clear retellings, context, and links to traditions.
Loki’s Children: Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr
Loki and Angrboða’s children became three of Norse myth’s most feared figures. The Eddas explain why Odin separated Hel, Jörmungandr and Fenrir, and what…
Serpents in Ancient Mythology: Creation, Chaos and Protection
Ancient serpents could threaten the sun, surround the world or protect a god. Egyptian, Norse, Mesoamerican and South Asian traditions gave them very different…
Forgotten Goddesses: Why Some Ancient Cults Faded From View
Despoina, Dione, Bendis, Nisaba, Asherah and Tanit left temples, inscriptions and images. Their evidence reveals how ancient religions changed.
Tricksters in Mythology: Hermes, Loki, Anansi, Eshu and More
From Hermes and Loki to Anansi, Eshu, Raven and Māui, explore what trickster stories meant in their own cultures and why their differences matter.
The Hero’s Journey in Ancient Myth: Before Joseph Campbell
From Gilgamesh and Inanna to Odysseus, Aeneas and Sigurd, ancient hero myths share journeys but disagree about death, duty and return.
Mythical Creatures A to Z: 26 Legends and Their Origins
From Apep and Medusa to the qilin and Ziz, trace 26 legendary creatures through ancient texts, medieval art, and the cultures that imagined them.
Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian Mythology Compared
Compare Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian mythology through creation, gods, fate, death, heroes, rituals, and the evidence behind each tradition.
Tyr vs Ares: Norse and Greek Gods of War Compared
Tyr lost his hand to Fenrir. Ares was wounded by Diomedes. Their myths and cults reveal striking differences, and unexpected similarities, between two war…
Fenrir and Gleipnir: How the Norse Gods Bound the Wolf
The Norse gods bound Fenrir with a ribbon called Gleipnir, but Týr paid for their deception with his hand. Here is how the story…
Gilgamesh Tablet XII: Mesopotamia’s Underworld
Tablet XII of Gilgamesh describes Enkidu’s journey to the underworld and the fate of the dead. Its unusual ending comes from an older Sumerian…
Hathor: Egypt’s Goddess Who Nearly Destroyed Mankind
Hathor almost destroys humanity in Egypt's Book of the Heavenly Cow. The red beer that saves the survivors also helps explain her dangerous solar…
How Útgarða-Loki Tricked Thor in Norse Mythology
Útgarða-Loki made Thor fail five impossible tests. Snorri’s Prose Edda reveals the giant’s tricks, the hidden opponents and why he feared Thor.
