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Five Minute Mythology

Gods and Monsters

Introducing a new mythological god, monster, or story in just five minutes.

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All Episodes

06:13

The Roc: Monster or Myth? | Ep97

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/27

Imagine a shadow so vast it dims the sun—this is the world of the roc. A bird of unimaginable size, its wings could darken the sky, and its talons were strong enough to carry off elephants. Revered in Arabian legends and feared by sailors, the roc's story stretches across continents and centuries, leaving behind tales of destruction, vengeance, and mystery. But was the roc a creature of flesh and bone, or merely a product of imagination? In this episode, we dive into the mythic depths of the roc,

06:07

Quirinus: Rome’s Forgotten Founder and God | Ep96

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/23

Quirinus, the shadowy god of early Rome, stands at the crossroads of myth and history. Born from the Sabine tribes and brought into the heart of Rome, his name echoes through time—half-remembered, yet impossible to ignore. Presiding over both peace and war, Quirinus was a god of quiet strength, whose presence hovered over the city's grain, its assembly, and its growth. But when Romulus, the city's founder, vanishes, something strange happens: he becomes Quirinus, deified and eternal. As Rome

07:14

How Pachamama Shakes the Earth in Revenge | Ep95

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/20

In this episode, we delve into the myth of Pachamama, the Andean Earth goddess who is as old as the land itself. She is not just a deity, but the very earth beneath our feet—the mountains, rivers, and soil that sustain life. From her maternal role in the cycles of nature to the rituals that honor her, discover how Pachamama embodies the delicate balance between humanity and the environment. Learn how her power persists through centuries of colonization, and how today, she has become a symbol of

06:41

The Ouroboros: Cycles of Creation and Destruction | Ep94

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/16

The ouroboros is a symbol as ancient as time itself—an eternal serpent or dragon, devouring its own tail in a never-ending cycle. But what does it truly represent? From ancient Egypt’s Mehen, guarding Ra’s nightly journey, to Gnostic texts and Norse myths of Jörmungandr, this emblem has transcended cultures and eras. It embodies more than just cosmic rebirth; it’s a reflection of the human psyche, the spiritual journey, and the cycles of life and death.In this episode, we dive deep into the

06:09

How the Nian Beast Was Defeated Forever | Ep93

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/13

Every year, as winter's chill clings to the land, the Nian beast awakens from its dark lair to terrorize villages with its hunger. Descriptions of this monster vary: some say it’s as large as an elephant, with fierce claws and teeth that can tear through doors, while others speak of its unsettling, ancient eyes. Yet, despite its strength, the Nian is no match for the power of noise, fire, and the color red. Learn how one clever man used these simple tools to drive the creature back—and how this

07:03

How the Manticore’s Tail Became a Deadly Arsenal | Ep92

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/09

A creature born from the darkest corners of legend, the manticore strikes fear into the hearts of all who hear its name. With the body of a lion, the face of a man, and a tail that doubles as a weapon of mass destruction, this terrifying predator was said to haunt the ancient Persian empire and later stalk the pages of medieval bestiaries. Explore the manticore’s insatiable appetite, its cunning tactics, and the myths that made it one of history's most dreaded monsters. From its deadly venom to its

07:18

The Haunted Cry of La Llorona: Fact or Folklore? | Ep91

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/06

La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, is a haunting figure whose legend flows through rivers from Mexico to the Andes. Once a proud mother named María, her rage and grief over betrayal led to a tragic crime—drowning her children in the river, only to realize the horror too late. Her punishment? An eternity searching for them, wailing in sorrow, dragging children into the water if she mistakes them for her own. But La Llorona’s myth is more than just a ghost story. She embodies the heartbreak of mothers,

06:54

How to Outsmart a Kappa: Tricks and Terrors | Ep90

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/08/02

In the murky waters between myth and mischief lurks the kappa, a creature as ancient as the rivers it haunts. This mysterious being, neither fully beast nor spirit, has been both feared and revered for centuries. With its slimy green skin, webbed fingers, and a peculiar bowl-shaped depression on its head, the kappa is a creature of contradictions—playful yet dangerous, polite yet ruthless. From drowning children to aiding farmers, its actions range from the mischievous to the miraculous. But one

06:55

The Serpent That Holds—and Destroys—the World | Ep89

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/30

Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent, is more than just a monstrous snake—he is the living embodiment of boundaries, both holding the world together and threatening its collapse. Born of Loki and Angrboða, this colossal serpent circles the earth, his endless length coiling around the very fabric of reality. But his existence is a paradox: a guardian whose doom is bound to his own tail. From his playful challenge with Thor disguised as a cat, to the fateful final battle at Ragnarök, Jörmungandr’s tale is

07:28

Who Is the Incubus? Secrets of the Night | Ep88

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/26

In the quiet moments between waking and sleeping, something stirs in the shadows. The incubus, a creature that has haunted the world for centuries, slips in to claim the most vulnerable hours of the night. From ancient Mesopotamia to medieval Europe, and across continents, this shape-shifting demon takes many forms—sometimes a lover’s embrace, sometimes a faceless terror. But one thing remains the same: his power to drain, to disturb, and to leave nightmares in his wake.Explore the myth of the

07:38

Hecate: Goddess of Crossroads and Uncertainty | Ep87

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/23

At the crossroads of myth and mystery stands Hecate, the goddess of thresholds, transformation, and the unknown. With her three faces and shifting forms, she is both protector and danger, guiding spirits between life and death while watching over the overlooked spaces where decisions hang in the balance. From her ancient, tangled origins to her role in guiding Demeter’s grief and wielding her torches in battle, Hecate embodies paradox. She is a goddess of power and ambiguity, walking the fine line

05:58

Geryon: The Three-Headed Titan Who Defied Nature | Ep86

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/19

Meet Geryon, the monstrous, three-bodied titan whose very form defies the laws of nature. From the crimson sands of Erytheia, where the sun turns back, to the mythic battle with Heracles, Geryon’s story is one of grandeur and strangeness. Armed with three heads, six arms, and wings that could blot out the sun, this unique being wasn’t just a formidable warrior; he was a symbol of contradiction, an embodiment of the impossible. Discover how his legacy transcends myth—from the cattle-thief story to

06:51

The Wolf Who Will Swallow the Gods | Ep85

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/16

Fenrir, the monstrous wolf of Norse legend, is more than just a creature of brute strength. Born of Loki and the giantess Angrboða, Fenrir embodies the inevitable reckoning that awaits all things—no matter how powerful or cunning. Raised among the gods in Asgard, he grew too strong to tame, and his eventual binding became a contest of will and fear. The gods sought to control him with enchanted chains, but Fenrir, ever the cunning adversary, saw through their tricks. In a moment of betrayal, the god

06:17

Episode 84 - Echidna

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/12

In the depths of mythic caverns, Echidna, the enigmatic "Mother of Monsters," embodies a captivating duality, blending beauty and terror.Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

07:02

Episode 83 - Dagon

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/09

Explore ancient Mesopotamia's unique deity, Dagon: half-god, half-fish, embodying nature's duality and ruling seas and agriculture.Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

07:22

Episode 82 - Cerberus

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/05

In ancient Greece and Mesopotamia, Cerberus, a three-headed, snake-tailed canine, embodies a gateway between life and myth.Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

07:47

Episode 81 - Baba Yaga

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/07/02

Baba Yaga: A paradoxical figure in Slavic lore, commanding elements and defying physics, reflecting life's dual nature. Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

07:34

Episode 80 - Anubis

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/06/28

Stroll along the Nile and uncover the captivating deity of the Egyptian afterlife, guardian and guide through the world's most mystical realm.Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

06:37

Episode 79 - Zmey Gorynych

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/06/25

Eastern European dragon with three fiery heads challenges a hero, revealing immense power and unexpected vulnerability. Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

06:30

Episode 78 - Yōkai

Five Minute Mythology ·

2025/06/21

In the mystical depths of Japan, a hidden realm thrives, where enigmatic beings blur the line between reality and folklore.Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!

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