Myths & Monsters

Stories of heroes and the villains encountered on their adventures are among the most thrilling in all mythology. This episode examines the controversial theory that a common structure exists in such stories that transcends cultural and historical influences.

Forest and mountain, sea and ice - the wilds of this world are a rich setting for myths and legends. As this episode shows, the stories told about the wilderness - and the monsters feared lurking within it - can tell us a lot about a people. The city-loving Ancient Greeks saw it as a realm of the divine - and a dangerous place for mortals. The Norse were master sailors, yet imagined the seas...

War: The violent story of Romulus and Remus, the brutal Vikings and the Valkyries, the Trojan War and exploring the influence of Homer's Iliad on Alexander the Great. (S1, ep 3)

Love and Betrayal: Love is a universal and powerful emotion but it can also be destructive, lust can destroy and betrayal can wound.

Change & Revolution: How do communities form, survive and adapt? Explore how myths and legends shape societal rules and the punishments for those who break them. (S1, ep 5)

The End of all Things: Death is a frightening, unsettling prospect for us all. Myths and legends help explore those anxieties but they tell us about more than mortal fear alone. (S1, ep 6)