Legendary Passages - Greek/Roman Myths
33 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 months ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsShort summaries and readings of classical mythology (Hercules, Atlantis, Trojan War, etc.) Email: [email protected]
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Episodes
LP0118 philE2A2 Centaurs & Hippolytus
May 07, 2023 23:56 - 20.2 MBLegendary Passages #0118, Philostratus the Elder, Imagines Book 2, Image 2, Centaurs & Hippolytus. Previously, Theseus fought a war against the centaurs, and cursed his son Hippolytus to an early death. In this passage, we hear descriptions of the education of Achilles by the centaur Chiron, female centaurs and their foals, and the tragic fate of Hippolytus. The first image is that of the boy Achilles, fated to fight and die in the Trojan War. He is an athletic boy being trained by th...
LP0117 plLoT26 Antiope & Pirithous
August 29, 2020 23:59 - 21 MBLegendary Passages #0117, Plutarch's Life of Theseus, Section [XXVI.], Antiope & Pirithous. Previously, Theseus was crowned king of Athens after returning from the labyrinth without Ariadne. In this passage he loved and lost the amazon princess known as Antiope; and befriended Pirithous, whom he would follow into the depths of Hades itself. Antiope & Pirithous, a Legendary Passage from, Bernadotte Perrin translating, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, Life of Theseus, Sections [XXVI.] - ...
LP0116 LoAE-1-5 Epitome of Theseus
July 02, 2020 18:26 - 20.9 MBLegendary Passages #0116, Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library Epitome [E.1.5], Epitome of Theseus. Previously, Theseus discovered his origins and journeyed to Athens. In this passage, he expelled Medea, fought the Minotaur, and had many adventures as King, most ending in disaster. After sacrificing the Marathonian Bull, Theseus was recognized by his father Aegeus. He sailed to Crete, and navigated the Labyrinth with a spool of thread called a 'clue' given to him by Ariadne. He was going to...
LP0115 plLoT22 The Ship of Theseus
June 24, 2020 16:02 - 20.4 MBLegendary Passages #0115, Plutarch's Life of Theseus, Section [XXII.], The Ship of Theseus. Previously, Theseus returned from the Labyrinth, only to find his father Aegeus had jumped off the Sounion Cliffs, thinking him dead. In this passage, the people of Athens welcome the reign of their new king and his many innovations. Not only had Theseus seemingly returned from dead, but so had the thirteen other boys and girls from the tribute to Minos. Many new traditions began with their retu...
LP0114 philE1A14 Pasiphae & Semele
December 16, 2019 21:18 - 17.1 MBLegendary Passages #0114, Philostratus the Elder, Imagines Book 1, Image 14, Pasiphae & Semele. Previously, Theseus abandoned Ariadne on Naxos, where she was rescued by the god Dionysus. In this passage there are descriptions of three paintings: Semele, mother of Dionysus; Ariadne, wife of Dionysus; and Pasiphae, mother of Ariadne and the Minotaur. The first image is of the fire that consumed Semele and gave birth to Dionysus. Semele was the youngest daughter of Cadmus, and after she ...
LP0113 cat64b Ariadne's Curse
December 11, 2019 00:05 - 19.3 MBLegendary Passages #0113, The Poems of Catullus, Part II of Poem [64], Ariadne's Curse. Previously, Catullus described a couch covered with images of Theseus and Ariadne. Here the passage continues with her lamentations, her curse, and her rescue, of sorts. Ariadne had hoped for marriage, would have endured slavery, but being left to die alone was the ultimate betrayal by Theseus. She insulted his parentage, complained to the uncaring wind about the evilness of men, and despaired that ...
LP0112 cat64a Of the Argonauts & Ariadne
December 05, 2019 19:05 - 15.5 MBLegendary Passages #0112, The Poems of Catullus, Part I of Poem [64], Of the Argonauts & Ariadne. Previously, Princess Ariadne was abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos. In this passage we revisit how she came to be stranded there. Now the structure of this poem is quite odd. It begins with the voyage of the Argonauts, where Prince Peleus fell in love the mermaid goddess Thetis, and Jupiter, King of the Gods, approved of the marriage. The people of Pelion Thessaly abandoned farm...
LP0111 ovHero10 Ariadne's Letter
October 31, 2019 20:41 - 21 MBLegendary Passages #0111, Ovid's Heroides, Epistle [X.], Ariadne's Letter. Previously, with Ariadne's help Prince Theseus defeated the Minotaur and escaped the Labyrinth. In this passage Ariadne awakens alone on the Island of Naxos, Theseus having abandoned her and sailed away in the night. Ariadne's Letter, a Legendary Passage from, Grant Showerman translating, Publius Ovidius Naso, Heroides Epistle [X.], Ariadne to Theseus. https://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidHeroides2.html#10 X. AR...
LP0110 plLoT17 The Black Sail
September 30, 2019 18:51 - 21 MBLegendary Passages #0110, Plutarch's Life of Theseus, Section [XVII.], The Black Sail. Previously, the time had come for the third tribute of Athenian youths to be sent to Crete, with no hope of return. In this passage are many different versions of their adventures, not one ending happily ever after. First of all, Theseus promised his father that if they returned safe and sound, he would replace the ship's black sail with a white one. After prayers and sacrifices to Aphrodite by the s...
LP0109 Bacchy17 The Athenian Youths
August 02, 2019 19:01 - 21.3 MBLegendary Passages #0109, Bacchylides' Odes, [XVII.], The Athenian Youths. Previously, Theseus had many adventures on his way to Athens before volunteering to be sent to the Minotaur's Labyrinth. This passage recounts some of those adventures as well as a few others. Ode 17 begins with the voyage of the seven boys and seven girls to Crete. King Minos throws a ring overboard and challenges the young prince to retrieve it from the sea-god's domain. Ode 18 is all dialogue between the Gr...
LP0108 pDoG1-26-4 Marathonian Bull
July 01, 2019 23:53 - 19.9 MBLegendary Passages #0108, Pausanias' Description of Greece, Book [1.26.4], Marathonian Bull. Previously, Theseus found his father's sword and sandals, killed the Marathonian Bull, and volunteered for the Tribute of Minos. In this passage we hear more of those stories, as well as exploring the Acropolis of Athens. After the Erectheum and the image of Athena is a golden lamp that burns for an entire year without being refilled. After the Temple of Athena, Pausanias describes the strange ...
LP0107 plLoT13 Tribute
June 01, 2019 00:27 - 17.4 MBLegendary Passages #0107, Plutarch's Life of Theseus, Section [XIII.], Tribute. Previously, after many labors Theseus arrived at Athens, drove off the witch Medea, and was recognized by his father as the crown prince. In this passage, Theseus contends with the sons of Pallas, the Marathonian Bull, and King Minos come again to collect his tribute. Long ago, King Pandion had four son: Pallas, Nisus, Lycus, and Aegeus, who might have been adopted. Aegeus became King of Athens, and when Mi...
LP0106 pDoG2-2-3 Children of Corinth
May 02, 2019 15:29 - 19.6 MBLegendary Passages #0106, Pausanias' Description of Greece, Book [2.2.3], The Children of Corinth. Previously, Medea's children were killed after they brought poisoned gifts for their father's bride Glauce. In this passage we hear many myths about them and their mother before she flees to Athens. But first, a tour of Corinth. Lechaeum and Cenchreae are the harbors north of the city, followed by the grave of Lais, a courtesan known for her beauty. Next are carvings made from the tree Pe...
LP0105 pDoG1-44-6 The Corinthian Isthmus
April 16, 2019 19:40 - 20.7 MBLegendary Passages #0105, Pausanias' Description of Greece, Book [1.44.6], The Corinthian Isthmus. Previously, Theseus traveled the road from Troezen to Athens around the Saronic Gulf. In this passage, we explore in the opposite direction, from the Scironian Road, Cromyon, and then to the Isthmus. First is the white Megarean mussel stones along the road to the Molurian Rock, where Ino & Melicertes jumped into the sea, and became known as Leucothea & Palaemon. Later, Sciron fed stranger...
LP0104 plLoT6 Labors of Theseus
April 08, 2019 15:48 - 21.1 MBLegendary Passages #0104, Plutarch's Life of Theseus, Section [VI.], Labors of Theseus. Previously, Theseus learned that he was the son of Aegeus, king of Athens. In this passage, Theseus makes his way to Athens to be recognized as his father's heir. Theseus retrieved his father's sword and sandals from under a boulder, but then refused to sail to Athens, wanting to go by land instead. His grandfather told him of the terrible bandits and beasts that lay on the road around the Saronic G...
LP0103 plLoT1 The Parallel Lives
March 27, 2019 20:05 - 17.3 MBLegendary Passages #0103, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, Life of Theseus [I. - VI.] The Parallel Lives. This passage begins Plutarch's comparison between the Life of Theseus and the Life of Romulus, founder of Rome. There are a few notable parallels, including questionable or divine parentage, strength and cunning, foundation of empires, terrible relationships, and feuds with family and countrymen. The story of Theseus began with wise Pittheus, son of Pelops, and King Aegeus, descendant...
LP0102 LoA3-15-2 Kings of Athens
March 07, 2019 18:55 - 21.4 MBLegendary Passages #0102, Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library Book 3 [3.15.2], Kings of Athens. This passage recounts the genealogy and history of Theseus, his father Aegeus, his father Pandion the second, his father Cecrops, his father Erectheus, and his father Pandion the first. Now, Pandion the first had many children after Erectheus, including a son Metion and a daughter Orithyia. After Erectheus died, his son Cecrops became King. But his son Pandion the second went to Megara, married...
LP0101 ovMeta7-322 Medea & Aegeus
February 11, 2019 02:03 - 20 MBLegendary Passages #0101, Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses Book 7 [322], Medea & Aegeus. Previously, Medea convinced the daughters of Pelias to slay their father. In this passage, they do just that, and Medea flies from Iolcus to Corinth to Athens, sowing chaos in her wake. After slaying Pelias, Medea and her dragons sail over Pelion, Orthrys, Pittane, Ida's grove, Eurypylus, Rhodes, Carthaea, Hyrie, Pleuron, Calauria, and Cyllene; all with their own legends. After burning the pal...
LP0100 dsLoH4-56-3 The Birth of Theseus
January 30, 2019 18:07 - 21.1 MBLegendary Passages #0100, Diodorus Siculus, Library of History [4.56.3], The Birth of Theseus. The next 25 episodes cover the early adventures of Theseus, son of Aegeus. In this passage, he journeys to Athens to be recognized by his father. But first, this passage continues from last episode with an alternate route of the Argonauts around the Iberian Peninsula. Then, the sons of Heracles fought wars against Eurystheus, Mycenae, Troy, and the Dorian Invasion. Finally, Theseus was bo...
LP0099 -XXV ARGO- The End of the Argo, from Diodorus' Library of History
December 31, 2018 02:26 - 21.7 MBLegendary Passages #0099 -XXV ARGO- The End of the Argo, from Diodorus' Library of History. Previously, Medea tricked the daughters of Pelias into killing their own father. In this passage, the Argonauts take over Iolcus, and Jason hands the kingdom over to Acastus, the king's son. Jason and Medea live happily in Corinth, but Jason stets aside his wife to marry the daughter of Creon, so Medea sneaks into the palace with a magic root that burns the palace to ash. Finally, Medea cured He...
LP0098 -XXIV ARGO- Medea & The Argo, from The Library of Apollodorus
November 17, 2018 03:00 - 20.2 MBLegendary Passages #0098 -XXIV ARGO- Medea & The Argo, from The Library of Apollodorus. Previously, the Argonauts had many adventures on their quest to obtain the Golden Fleece. In this passage, Medea's own story comes to the forefront. Not only does she help Jason win the fleece, but slays her own brother to aid in their escape. After being purified for this deed by her aunt Circe, Medea weds Jason on the isle of the Phaeacians. Medea defeats the bronze giant named Talos on the isle o...
LP0097 -XXIII ARGO- Fables of the Argo, from the Fables of Hyginus
November 05, 2018 20:03 - 21.7 MBLegendary Passages #0097 -XXIII ARGO- Fables of the Argo, from the Fables of Hyginus. Previously, the Argonauts launched from Iolcus, getting sidetracked by the women of Lemnos. In this passage they sail all the way to Colchis, and leave with Medea, who is eventually betrayed, exiled, and returns home. http://www.theoi.com/Text/HyginusFabulae1.html#16 Fables of the Argo, a Legendary Passage from, GAIUS JULIUS HYGINUS, FABLES XVI - XXVII, translated by MARY GRANT. [16] - [27] [16] X...
LP0096 -XXII ARGO- The Chariot (Part 7) of Euripides' Medea
October 31, 2018 00:45 - 21.3 MBLegendary Passages #0096 -XXII ARGO- The Chariot (Part 7) of Euripides' Medea. Previously, Medea slew both the King and Jason's bride. In this passage, she completes her revenge, and escapes to Athens on a flying chariot. http://sacred-texts.com/cla/eurip/medea.htm The Chariot (Part 7), a Legendary Passage, from Euripides' Medea, trans. by E. P. Coleridge. LEADER OF THE CHORUS This day the deity, it seems, will mass on Jason, as he well deserves, heavy load of evils. Woe is thee, da...
LP0095 -XXI ARGO- The Messenger (Part 6) of Euripides' Medea
September 07, 2018 21:14 - 20.6 MBLegendary Passages #0095 -XXI ARGO- The Messenger (Part 6) of Euripides' Medea. Previously, Medea sent her children with a poisoned crown & robes to the daughter of Creon. In this passage, she debates just how far to take her vengeance, when a messenger arrives and reveals the ill fates of Creon and his daughter. http://sacred-texts.com/cla/eurip/medea.htm The Messenger (Part 6), a Legendary Passage, from Euripides' Medea, trans. by E. P. Coleridge. (MEDEA turns to the children.) ME...
LP0094 -XX ARGO- The Children (Part 5) of Euripides' Medea
August 31, 2018 17:47 - 20 MBLegendary Passages #0094 -XX ARGO- The Children (Part 5) of Euripides' Medea. Previously, Medea hatched a plan of vengeance upon her husband Jason, his new bride, and their children. In this passage, Medea pretends to make peace, and so that her children may escape banishment, prepares a golden crown and robes for Jason's new bride. http://sacred-texts.com/cla/eurip/medea.htm The Children (Part 5), a Legendary Passage, from Euripides' Medea, trans. by E. P. Coleridge. CHORUS (sing...
LP0093 -XIX ARGO- Aegeus (Part 4) of Euripides' Medea
July 28, 2018 05:57 - 20.5 MBLegendary Passages #0093 -XIX ARGO- Aegeus (Part 4) of Euripides' Medea. Previously, Medea decided not to take vengeance on Jason or his new wife until she could secure some safe haven for herself. In this passage, Aegeus, father of Theseus, offers Medea safe haven in Athens. http://sacred-texts.com/cla/eurip/medea.htm Aegeus (Part 4), a Legendary Passage, from Euripides' Medea, trans. by E. P. Coleridge. CHORUS (singing, strophe 1) When in excess and past all limits Love doth co...
LP0092 -XVIII ARGO- Jason (Part 3), from Euripides' Medea
June 30, 2018 00:31Legendary Passages #0092 -XVIII ARGO- Jason (Part 3), from Euripides' Medea. Previously, Medea was left by Jason for the daughter of Creon, and was then banished into exile. In this passage, Jason... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0091 -XVII ARGONAUTS- Creon (Part 2) of Euripides' Medea
May 17, 2018 21:31Legendary Passages #0091 -XVII ARGONAUTS- Creon (Part 2), from Euripides' Medea. Previously, Jason left Medea for the daughter of Creon. In this passage, Medea is confronted by Creon who banishes... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0090 -XVI ARGONAUTS- The Nurse (Part 1) of Euripides' Medea
April 25, 2018 21:49Legendary Passages #0090 -XVI ARGONAUTS- The Nurse (Part 1) of Euripides' Medea. Unlike previous episodes, the next seven are actually a play, performed by myself, and by my sister Aly playing as... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0089 -XV ARGONAUTS- Medea's Letter, from Ovid's Heroides
March 16, 2018 18:30Legendary Passages #0089 -XV ARGONAUTS- Medea's Letter, from Ovid's Heroides. Previously, Jason left Medea for another woman. Now she wants him to take her back, or... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0088 -XIV ARGNONAUTS- Canace & Medea, from Ovid's Heroides
March 01, 2018 23:14Legendary Passages #0088 -XIV ARGNONAUTS- Canace & Medea, from Ovid's Heroides. Previously, Medea helped Jason win the golden fleece, they got married, and lived happily ever after. In this... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0087 -XIII ARGONAUTS- Rejuvenation, from Ovid's Metamorphoses
February 16, 2018 21:41Legendary Passages #0087 -XIII ARGONAUTS- Rejuvenation, from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Previously, the Argonauts returned home with the golden fleece, discovered old King Pelias had killed Jason's... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....
LP0086 -XII ARGONAUTS- The Return of the Argo, from Diodorus
January 17, 2018 14:31Legendary Passages #0086 -XII ARGONAUTS- The Return of the Argo, from Diodorus. Previously, the Argonauts rescued King Laomedon's daughter from the Trojan sea-monster, and suffered casualties... Mythology read aloud in twelve minute serials. Think ancient legends told as bedtime stories....