Greek Gods

In this Greek gods episode timed with the Winter Olympics, we explore the fascinating world of Greek mythology starting with the origin story of the three most powerful gods—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—who were born to the Titan Cronus and his wife Rhea during the Golden Age, though Cronus attempted to eat all his children after a prophecy warned he’d be overthrown by his sons, leading Zeus to eventually free his brothers and defeat their father.

We discuss the 12 great Olympians including Zeus (the serial cheater who ruled the sky), Hera (his perpetually angry sister-wife and goddess of marriage), Athena (the brilliant goddess of wisdom who burst fully formed from Zeus’s head), Dionysus (the fun-loving god of wine and theater who was gestated in Zeus’s thigh after his mother exploded), and several compelling minor gods like Hecate (goddess of magic and crossroads) and Pan (the half-goat satyr god of wilderness).

We share captivating myths including Hades kidnapping Persephone with pomegranate seeds that created the seasons, Prometheus stealing fire for humanity and suffering eternal punishment, and the tragic tale of Arachne, who challenged Athena to a weaving contest with devastating consequences.