As Beowulf approaches his twilight years, he is left with little else to accomplish. He has slain monsters, ruled a peaceful kingdom for 50 years, and held invaders at bay. But that tranquility is soon disturbed when an underground thief steals a cup from a dragon—and a fiery fury is unleashed on the land of the Geats.

After defeating the vicious monster Grendel, Beowulf and the Danes celebrate their first night of peace in many years. But little do they know, another vicious beast lurks in the darkness—Grendel's terrible mother, a creature who will stop at nothing for revenge.

Whether it’s dismissed as little more than an old children’s story or a record of the moment when paganism gave way to Christianity, Beowulf has had a profound impact on the evolution of western storytelling and is one of the most important works of Old English literature.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: In the wake of Queen Hippolyta’s death and Antiope’s abduction by Theseus, the Amazon Queens’ youngest sister, Penthesilea, was left to rule the nation of warrior women. Consumed with rage at the injustices done to her sisters, Penthesilea grew into a bitter leader.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: For years, the tribe of warrior women known as “the Amazons” lived in isolation on an island far from men, until Hercules and Jason and the Argonauts beached upon their shores. From that moment on, a friendship was forged that would ultimately lead to the Amazons’ destruction.

Krampus is only one of a wide variety of Germanic Holiday Demons. In the 12 days surrounding Christmas, or Rauhnächte, demons, witches, werewolves, and spirits are believed to haunt the Alps, making the Christmas season a time of horror.

Every year, in early December, a creature roams the Austrian and Bavarian Alps. While the nice children get gifts from St. Nicholas, those who are naughty find themselves at the mercy of Krampus.

In Southeast Asia, there persists a tale of a vampiric spirit more ghastly than almost any other. Legend has it: an affair discovered—a burning at the stake—and a protection spell cast too late.

For 14 years, The Monkey King protected Tripitaka from various demons seeking to destroy him. Alongside Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Yulong, the band of immortals finally reach India and are rewarded for their efforts by the Buddha.

After 500 years trapped underneath a mountain by Buddha, the Monkey King finally gets a chance at redemption by joining the Buddhist Monkey, Tripitaka, on a sacred journey to India. Tripitaka quickly learns that the Monkey King's mischievous ways will be difficult to adjust to.

Born from a stone egg atop a mountain, the magical Monkey King stops at nothing to learn the secrets to immortality. As his strength grows, he proves a challenge for the heavens—forcing the Jade Emperor and Buddah himself to teach this irresponsible monkey a lesson.

According to old Algonquin legend, a terrifying beast stalks the winter wastes of Canada's northern tundra. It's heart is made of ice, and it feasts on human flesh. All who behold its terror know to fear the mighty Chenoo.

A Lakota deity said to bring good fortune. The White Buffalo Calf Woman was a central myth of the Plains tribes, serving as a beacon of inspiration, strength, and hope to those who needed it.

A central myth of the Plains tribes—the White Buffalo Calf Woman was a Lakota deity, said to bring good fortune. After their encounter with her, two Lakota hunters—Akecheta and Enapay—bring her back to their tribe with the hopes of experiencing enlightenment and harmony.

Stepmoms can be so cruel. Just ask Fionnghuala, Aodh and twins Fiachra and Conn...condemned to live as swans for 900 years.

From Irish Mythology—a tale of affection, jealousy and a curse spanning hundreds of years.

Orpheus descends into the underworld in search of his beautiful wife. But Hades, the God of the Underworld, does not let his own go easily, and Orpheus finds the challenge Hades sets before him extremely difficult...

Thank you for being a loyal listener! We’re excited to announce all Parcast Network episodes older than 6 months are now available for free on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Orpheus, a great singer, and Eurydice, his beautiful bride, were deeply in love. But their union wasn't fated for happiness, and quickly devolved into tragedy. Orpheus must face man's darkest fear for his beloved: death itself.

Atop Rosstrappe hill in Germany’s Harz Mountains, there is a massive indentation resembling a horse’s hoof print. According to legend, it became imprinted in the rock when a beautiful princess named Brunhilde fled from an evil giant named Bodo.

Now a human, Anansi must navigate having a fragile body and living in a complex social structure. He struggles with looking outside of himself, frequently manipulating others without considering the consequences. As he ages and tires of his earthly responsibilities, he longs to return to the life of a god.

The West African Ashanti tribe have a rich oral tradition surrounding one central figure. Anansi is a spider, a man, a hero, a villain, a comedian, and a teller of serious truths. In our version, he begins as a god, the son of Nyame the sky god. He trades wits with his father, both demanding a series of favors from one another that escalate into madness. In the process, Anansi might just bring enlightenment to humanity.

Following his reunion with his son, Telemachus, Odysseus puts his plan in motion, goading the suitors into anger as his allies stole their weapons and sealed the palace doors. As Odysseus prepared to reveal himself, he knew one thing; he would show no mercy.

Parcasters - We hope you enjoyed this special exploration of The Odyssey! Let us know which mythical stories you would like to hear on Mythology by reaching out to us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!

After twenty years away, Odysseus finally returns to his homeland of Ithaca, only to find that all was not well. A small army of suitors had taken up residence in his palace, hoping to coerce his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them so that they could lay claim to Odysseus' kingdom. With help from the Goddess Athena, Odysseus sets about his plan to retake his throne.

Parcasters - What would you do if you had the hiccups...for seven weeks? Find out today on our new podcast, Medical Mysteries, available on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

As a guest of the Phaeacians, Odysseus entertains his hosts with the tale of his misadventures. He tells the story of what happened after he and his fellow Ithacans left Troy with the spoils of war. Here, Odysseus relays his encounter with the dreaded Cyclops, the Witch Circe, and his own descent into the Underworld itself.

Sponsors!

Care/of - For 25% off your first Care of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter MYTH.

Nearly 10 years after the end of the Trojan War, Odysseus, king of Ithaca and bravest of the Greeks, had yet to return home. His wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, had no idea if he was even alive, though they held out hope that he would one day come back to him. After a message from the Gods, Telemachus sets out to pick up his father's trail and learn the fate of Odysseus.

Parcasters - Don’t miss the first episode of our new podcast MEDICAL MYSTERIES, available now on Spotify, or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals!

In the wake of Queen Hippolyta’s death and Antiope’s abduction by Theseus, the Amazon Queens’ youngest sister, Penthesilea, was left to rule the nation of warrior women. Consumed with rage at the injustices done to her sisters, Penthesilea grew into a bitter leader and planned to launch an attack on Theseus’ Athens.

Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of, we move on from Hollywood and start our exploration of the music industry. Our first episode details the myth of the 27 Club, you won't want to miss it! Subscribe to The Dark Side Of on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For years, the tribe of warrior women known as the Amazons lived in isolation on an island far from the worlds of men, until Hercules and Jason and the Argonauts beached upon their shores. From that moment on, a friendship was forged between Hercules and the Amazon Queen Hippolyta. A friendship that would ultimately lead to the Amazons' destruction.

Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

After Inanna, Queen of Heaven, was killed by her sister Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld, the world began to suffer in a melancholy malaise of sexless apathy.

Parcasters - This week on Extraterrestrial we delve into one of the most famous cases of all time, The Rendlesham Incident! Listen to Extraterrestrial today on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals!

In Ancient Sumer, Inanna was the goddess of sexuality and the Queen of Heaven, the most powerful goddess alive. Yet, even as she stood at the pinnacle of deific power, she longed to conquer more.

Sponsors!

Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order at PairOfThieves.com/MYTH

The honeymoon is cut short when the vile Queen Medb casts a curse upon the fighting men of Uliad. She marches her army towards the castle and Cú Chulainn is the only thing that can stand in her way.

Parcasters - This Thursday on Haunted Places we explore the ghosts of the White House! You won’t want to miss this historical horror story, subscribe to Haunted Places today on Spotify or wherever you get your Parcast Originals!

When Cú Chulainn is denied the opportunity to marry the love of his life, he travels to the Isle of Skye to train under the warrior woman Scathach. Her training is legendary for its brutality, and Cú Chulainn realizes that he may not make it home alive.

Parcasters - Was Leo Frank responsible for the death of little Mary Phagan? Find out today on Vanessa’s other podcast, Unsolved Murders! Available now on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast!

In the ancient Irish kingdom of Uliad, the God Lu and a beautiful woman had a child named Setante. He is gifted beyond all measure, but he's also cursed with a fiery temper that transforms him into a monster who cannot discern friend from foe.

Sponsors!

Daily Harvest - Go to Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code MYTHOLOGY to get three cups FREE in your first box!

Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order at PairOfThieves.com/MYTH.

After Hadding claimed the throne of ancient Denmark through war and blood, he found himself growing increasingly bored with the day to day aspects of ruling a kingdom. In his boredom, Hadding begins to seek out battle and conflict that leads to negative consequences for his kingdom, and even his own children.

Sponsors!

Go to Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code MYTHOLOGY to get three cups FREE in your first box!

When the Norwegian King Swipdag invaded ancient Denmark, he slaughtered the Danish King Gram, sending Gram's infant son Hadding into exile. After being raised by giants, Hadding becomes a man and decides to seek revenge against the tyrant who murdered his father.

Parcasters - This week on Extraterrestrial, we take on the mysterious Anunnaki, supposed ancient alien gods. What is their origin? What interactions have they had with our planet? Find out today at parcast.com/extraterrestrial

When the Titan Prometheus stole fire for humanity, Zeus sought vengeance against him and all he held dear. His most extreme act of retribution came in the form of Pandora, a magnificent woman who didn't realize she was simply a pawn in a squabble between the gods.

Sponsors!

Omax Health - Get 50% off a one-month supply of Omax3, plus free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee at OMAXHEALTH.com and enter code MYTH.

Pair of Thieves - Listeners get 20% off their first order at PairOfThieves.com/MYTH.

The Ancient Egyptian prince, Setne, longed for the magical power the Book of Thoth could grant him. In order to acquire it, he breaks into Naneferkaptan's tomb, only to find the dead pharaoh's spirit guarding the book.

Sponsors!

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

In Ancient Egypt, one god's wisdom surpassed all the rest: Thoth, the baboon god of intelligence. Thoth took it upon himself to maintain the balance of Ma'at, the force that sustained all life and constantly fluctuates between order and chaos.

Sponsors!

Daily Harvest - Go to Daily-Harvest.com and enter promo code MYTHOLOGY to get 3 cups FREE in your first box!

Falsely accused of a horrific crime, Bellerophon is punished by King Lobates, who desperately wants to see him dead. The King sends Bellerophon on a suicide mission; to fight and kill the chimaera, a nightmarish beast with the heads of a lion, a goat, and a venomous serpent.

Sponsors!

Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order when you go to PairOfThieves.com/MYTH.

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

After discovering that he was the son of Poseidon, Bellerophon dreamed of flying on Pegasus, an immortal winged stallion. With the help of Athena, Bellerophon would achieve his dream, but jealousy would eventually tear his life apart.

Parcasters - Did Poseidon play a role in the sinking of Atlantis? Find out this week on Unexplained Mysteries and Conspiracy Theories, where we cover different theories regarding the ancient sunken empire.

Acrisius, the King of Argos, feared that his offspring would rise up against him. He locked Danae, his only daughter, in a tower to keep her from bearing children. Yet no tower can stop Zeus, king of the gods.

Sponsors!

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Ancient Japan was ruled by the gods who lived in heaven, and the kami who roamed the earth. The most important god of all was Amaterasu, goddess of the sun, who gave life. However, after fighting with her brother, Amaterasu hid herself from the world, leaving everything to die.

Sponsors!

Daily Harvest - Go to DAILY-HARVEST.com and enter promo code MYTHOLOGY to get three cups FREE in your first box!

In Ancient Japan, practitioners of the Shinto religion worshiped Amaterasu, goddess of beauty and the sun. Amaterasu lives in the heavens shining her brilliance down upon the Earth. Yet, her brother, Susano-O, god of storms and seas, destroys her creations out of spite.

Sponsors!

Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Mythology a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Mythology.Robinhood.com.

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Seth, the god of chaos and violence, ruled over Ancient Egypt after murdering his brother, Osiris. Now Isis, Osiris's wife and goddess of magic and compassion, set out on a quest to bring Osiris back to life. However, Seth does not plan on giving up his power easily.

Parcasters - Do you want a ton of gold? Maybe you'll be the one to find the mythical city of El Dorado. Check out our most recent episode of Gone now at parcast.com/gone

Together they wish to lead the world to peace and prosperity, but their tyrannical grandfather stands in their way. When Isis figures out how to gain power, a nefarious villain would soon enact a plot against them that would change the fate of Egypt forever.

Sponsors!

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart dot com slash MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is!

After traveling most of the globe, Jason finds the fleece guarded by a tyrannical king, his army, and a dragon. Faced with such steep odds, Jason doubts his own talents. But the gods soon send him help... In the form of the King's daughter.

Parcasters - Interested in the journey of a real life hero? Check out our recent episodes of Hostage covering the captivity of John McCain at parcast.com/hostage

Jason crafts the finest ship ever built and crews it with the greatest men from Greek legend. This group of warriors then travels far across the sea facing beast, giants, and obstacles the likes of which have never been seen before. The fleece soon proves to be more difficult to acquire than Jason could have possibly imagined.

Sponsors!

BetterHelp - Mythology listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code MYTH. Go to BetterHelp.com/Myth.

Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Mythology a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Mythology.Robinhood.com.

After driving a man to suicide, Narcissus's self-obsessed worldview only grows. He soon finds himself stalked by Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance, and his story ends when he rejects a Nymph named Echo. This rejection was just one too many.

Parcasters - To learn about an iconic event in American history, check out our our new episode on John McCain on HOSTAGE, wherever you get your shows. Listen now at parcast.com/hostage

Sponsors!

BetterHelp - Go to BetterHelp dot com slash Myth to get 10% off your first month with discount code MYTH.

Blessed with nearly divine beauty, the mortal man Narcissus finds himself the object of affection from all around him. As his pride grows to momentous levels, he leaves behind him a trail of tears borne from rejection. Eventually, those tears turn to blood.

Sponsors!

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is!

This 10-year war between the old gods and the new gods of Greek Mythology has Cronus leading the Titans and Zeus leading the new gods. Zeus came from a line of tyrannical deities, focused only on their own power. But when it comes time for him to take the lead, will he be able to forge his own way, or will he fall back into the abusive pattern of his predecessors?

Parcasters - For more stories on family conflicts, be sure to check out our new podcast CRIMES OF PASSION. Listen now at parcast.com/passion.

After slaying the giant Humbaba, Gilgamesh and Enkidu find themselves challenged by the gods themselves. The fallout from their next fight leads Gilgamesh on an existential journey for the gift of immortality.

Sponsors!

BetterHelp - Mythology listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code MYTH when you go to BetterHelp.com/Myth.

The half-god king, Gilgamesh, finds himself growing bored with his power, so the gods create a wild man who can challenge his strength. When these two fearsome men meet, they will live on in their stories for millennia to come. This Mesopotamian epic poem, composed in 2100 BCE, is considered to be one of the foundational texts in human history.

Sponsors!

BetterHelp - Mythology listeners get 10% off the first month with discount code MYTH.

The goddess of the harvest, Demeter, loved nothing more than her daughter, Persephone. So when Hades, King of the Underworld, kidnaps Persephone, she vows to rescue her. Demeter’s grief plunges the entire world into an endless winter. With the fate of humanity at stake, will Demeter be able to rescue her daughter? Or will Persephone be trapped forever under frozen ground?

Sponsors!

Upstart - Hurry to Upstart dot com slash MYTHOLOGY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

The King sends him on a suicide mission, but determined to find redemption, Hercules sets out to complete the task. His journey would take him to the gates of Hades and the heights of Mount Olympus, but Hercules’ story would only end with fire and blood.

Parcasters - If you like our Mythology podcast, you should check out our other storytelling podcast, Tales at parcast.com/tales

Of all the mythological figures of Ancient Greece, none has maintained as much prominence as Hercules, the demigod gifted with super strength. While many of us know of Hercules's feats, his childhood and early life were defined by drastic mistakes and their gruesome consequences.

Parcasters - Be sure to check out this week’s episode of Hostage where one of the most valuable races horses in the world is held for ransom!

The Trickster God has tested the Asgardian gods’ patience for the last time. Ever the treasonous brethren, scapegoat, and foe to the gods, Loki stands trial as Odin hands down an unthinkably cruel punishment in the wake of the impending prophecy.

Parcast News - Be sure to check out Parcast’s first fictional crime show MIND’S EYE at Parcast.com/MindsEye!

The Gods know their fate and that Loki’s is the most tragic of them all. Constantly confronted with his terrible destiny, a darkness begins to settle over Loki’s one time light hearted countenance. He begins to resent the gods and their ignorant vanity. But is it the Gods who are responsible for this budding malice, a malice that will ensure the coming of Ragnarok and the destruction of the world, or is it Loki himself?

A figure prevalent within the Norse Mythology, but one whose motivations and purpose have been the subject of debate for hundreds of years. There is relatively little source material about Loki and his name has multiple translations. The son of a Giant and a God, Loki shows an ambivalence towards their problems and relies heavily on shape shifting tricks.

Check out Parcasts first Fiction Podcast - MIND'S EYE

She exists in a liminal state, but slowly finds her own identity as protector of Athens, guardian of heroes, and goddess of wisdom at home and at war. Athena struggles to walk the line between her feminine ideal and her warrior nature, defending the weak, and fighting for her own city. But soon realizes that her penchant for transformations has dark consequences.

Parcast Network - Check out our new show Hostage at https://www.parcast.com/hostage.

The Goddess of art and war defied gender roles exhibited in Greek culture. Athena fought fiercely in a culture where women didn’t go to battle. Athena vowed to never be a lover or bear children. She used wisdom to find a balance between the ways of the past and the way of the future.

If you enjoy this episode, help us out and leave a 5-star review!

Gods and heroes. Titans and transformations. Life before earth, and after it. Mythology uses half-humans to explore what it means to be human. And the newest podcast from Parcast explores Mythology. Through audio-drama, we bring these stories to life. Then, we examine where myths come from, what they mean, and how they shape our world today. New episodes of Mythology come out every Tuesday.