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Myths & Legends

All over the world there are extraordinary stories—stories that once upon a time were believed to be true but are today limited to the sphere of ancient myths and legends. The question remains, are those myths and legends something that existed in the minds of our ancestors, or were they based on true events? It is true that most of those ancient myths and legends appear to the scientific world to be fictitious products of vivid imaginations whose goals were purely to explain phenomena beyond their comprehension. Yet is it not arrogant to accuse our ancestors of being uncivilised and ignorant in one breath, then offer them praise and admiration over their monuments, buildings, art, sculptures, and societies in the next? This only proves that our modern society has two contradictory attitudes toward our past.

In this section we will explore some of the most amazing myths and legends from around the world—legends that may hold truths that can unlock the secrets of our ancient origins.

Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Africa’s mythological traditions are rich and diverse, offering a window into the beliefs of its ancient cultures. One enduring legend is the Tokoloshe , a creature feared across southern Africa...
AI image of Moirai, Goddesses of Fate.

Ancient Concepts of Fate: Deities and Influencers of Destiny

Looming over the lives of gods and mortals alike, fate was more than a concept, it was an inscrutable force, a celestial decree woven by unseen hands. Dictating the unfolding of destinies, the gods...
Tokoloshe newspaper headline, December 7, 1955, on sale in a bookstore in the 19th District, Vienna, Austria.

Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Africa’s mythological traditions are rich and diverse, offering a window into the beliefs of its ancient cultures. One enduring legend is the Tokoloshe , a creature feared across southern Africa...
Reconstruction of Tinnis Late Iron Age Fort ablaze

Archaeological Finds Support Local Folklore of Merlin’s Grave

In the tranquil region of Tweeddale in southern Scotland, the ancient village of Drumelzier has long been entwined with the legend of Merlin, the mythical wizard famously linked to King Arthur...
Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in Kaos

‘Netflix’s Kaos is the Cleverest Retelling of Greek Mythology I’ve Ever Seen’

By Ellie Mackin Roberts /The Conversation Last year, one of my child’s English assignments was to rewrite a traditional fairy tale with one major plot difference, to see how the story might play out...
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Podcast: History Fuzz: Episode 01: Professor Giulio Magli. Intentionality vs Chance in Archaeoastronomy

In this episode, I interview Professor Giulio Magli, a leading astrophysicist and archaeoastronomer who heads the Department of Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Milan. Magli, a prominent...
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Podcast: History Fuzz: Episode 00: Ashley Cowie. Introduction. Delineating the Show Themes, Structure, and Schedule

Ancient Origins Premium is now featuring select episodes of the History Fuzz Podcast hosted by historian, adventurer, author, broadcaster, Ashley Cowie! Each episode will be featured bi-weekly and...
Noppera-bō (by Asai Ryōi in his Otogi Boko, early Edo period)

Faceless Terror: Unmasking the Noppera-bō of Japanese Folklore

Every culture has told creepy ghost stories, but Japanese folklore has some of the best. Take, for example, the Noppera-bō, also known as the faceless ghost. This haunting figure is known for its...
Egyptian Creation Myth and the Gods of Chaos: Life From Darkness

Egyptian Creation Myth and the Gods of Chaos: Life From Darkness

The Ancient Egyptians were one of the world’s earliest civilizations and left an incredible mark on the whole of humanity. Having endured in history for millennia , they never strayed too far from...
Why is an Ultimate Goal Called a ‘Holy Grail?’

Why is an Ultimate Goal Called a ‘Holy Grail?’

By Joanne M. Pierce /The Conversation For decades, winning an Olympic medal has been described as the Holy Grail of sports. Athletes aren’t the only ones in search of a Holy Grail. For example, in...
Left; Shuten-doji, Right; Tamamo-no-Mae

The Evilest Yokai: Supernatural Creatures from Japanese Mythology (Video)

Japanese mythology is filled with stories of yokai, supernatural beings that embody the darkest aspects of human nature. Two of the most feared yokai are Shuten-doji and Tamamo-no-Mae, whose legends...
Isis wall painting in the tomb of Seti I.

The Egyptian goddess Isis in Rome (Video)

​​ The Egyptian goddess Isis held significant influence in Rome, particularly from the 2nd century BC onward. Initially associated with the fertility of the Nile and the mother of Horus, her...
AI image of a Minotaur.

The Dark Side of Mythical Humanoid Monsters

In the shadowy recesses of human imagination, mythical humanoid monsters have long lingered. Since the dawn of language, creatures of a repellent nature have existed in all their abhorrent splendor...
Agartha: Exploring the Legends of a Hidden Subterranean World

Agartha: Exploring the Legends of a Hidden Subterranean World

For some reason, we’ve long been obsessed with the idea of lost cities and advanced hidden civilizations. A classic example of this is the ongoing hunt for Agartha, a legendary city supposedly hidden...
Chitchenitza with the Milky Way captured behind it.

Religious Practices in Ancient Maya Civilization

The ancient Maya civilization , known for its intricate and highly developed society, flourished in Mesoamerica for thousands of years, reaching its zenith during the Classic Period (250-900 AD)...
Foes of Evil: The Navajo Myth of Twins Monster Slayer and Born-For-Water

Foes of Evil: The Navajo Myth of Twins Monster Slayer and Born-For-Water

The Native American tribes boast a very complex and thought-provoking set of beliefs and traditions, in which the legend of heroic twin brothers is often shared and found in many tribes. In the myths...
Half woman half wolf, representation of God’s She-Wolf.	Source: ana/Adobe Stock

God’s She-Wolf in Croatian Folklore

Wolves are a big part of mythology worldwide. Some stories are very well known, like the ones of Romulus and Remus , or Fenrir , and others reside in the shadows like the story of the Croatian God’s...
Kobayashi Eitaku, Izanagi and Izanami, c. 1885	Source: Public Domain

Kojiki: Japan’s Oldest Surviving Chronicle

The Kojiki, or "Records of Ancient Matters," holds the prestigious title of being Japan's oldest surviving chronicle. Compiled in 712 AD, this amazing text offers a window into the myths, legends,...
Representational image of a Knights templar in silent prayer.

Top 10 Secret Societies of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century AD, was a period marked by the rise and fall of kingdoms, the spread of religions, and significant social and political...
The cosmic egg in the hands of a giant deity

Five Common Myths From Around the World

Modern h umans evolved between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago, spreading across the globe around 100,000 years ago and developing diverse cultures. Despite these cultural differences, many myths share...

The Enduring Mystery of the Lost City of Zerzura and the 20th Century Race to Find its Treasures

The vast expanse of the African desert has long been a source of intrigue and adventure. Ancient historians told legends of curious tribes amidst the merciless landscape and formidable armies...
King Arthur by Charles Ernest Butler.	Source:	 Public Domain

The True Story of King Arthur: Legend or Historical Reality?(Video)

King Arthur's legend , a cornerstone of Western literature, traces its origins back approximately 1,200 years. The first recorded mention appears in the "Historia Brittonum," a document penned around...
The god of Chaos in Greek mythology was depicted as both a goddess and a place.	Source: RolffImages / Adobe Stock

Literary Legends: Mythology and Folklore Across Civilizations

The narratives of ancient civilizations are stitched together with ethereal threads of mythology and folklore. Be they tethered in fact or complete fiction, these tales, handed down through...
A second-century Roman sarcophagus shows the mythology and symbolism of the Orphic and Dionysiac Mystery schools.

What are the Orphic Mysteries?

The Orphic Mysteries are just as intriguing as they sound. They’re a set of religious beliefs and practices centered around the mythical figure of Orpheus and rooted in ancient Greek mythology...

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