In this latest episode, we listen to a portion of the greatest speeches of all time, Pericles’ famous funeral oration. Inspired by the goddess Athene, it was given by this Athenian statesman at the end of the first year of the war between Athens and Sparta.  As citizens assemble to bury their sons and fathers — warriors lost in defense of the city — Pericles recites all that is great and good about their immortal achievements. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible...

For almost 60 episodes, I’ve talked about the glory of the Greeks during the golden years of ancient Greece. I’ve also talked about when worship of the gods ended. In this new episode we go back to the beginning, to the so-called Dark Ages of Greece, to the time when the gods first revealed themselves to humans.  If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, available on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Support the showTweet me comments at...

EP 56:  Do this to live a good life The Greek world centered around Delphi for two reasons. One — the world’s most famous oracle resided there. Two — the secrets to a good life were carved into the marble sides of Apollo’s temple. One had only to walk the temple grounds to gain the priceless insights. In this episode we look at some the 147 maxims, including Know Thyself and Everything in Moderation. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo...

In the politics of Athens' new democracy, one goddess reined supreme: Peitho. She was the unheralded goddess of persuasion. Her influence brought down the philosopher Socrates. She could make any man silver-tongued, and all of her favorites became powerful orators. Join us as we meet this powerful — and divine — female. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Support the showTweet me...

There’s nothing like divine intervention to ensure success. Of course, things can go badly when it ends. Follow Alexander’s 10-year military career that earned him the moniker “Alexander the Great.” If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Support the showTweet me comments at @Garner_images, or email any episode suggestions to [email protected]

Orpheus, Apollo’s son, became famous for his extraordinary music and poetry. As talented as he was, he was unable to find love. But one golden afternoon he saw Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. The two fell in love. But their love was fated to be short. When Eurydice died, Orpheus descended to Hades’ underworld to bring her back. There he succeeded — and failed. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on Amazon.com and...

The goddess Persephone was queen of the Underworld. To the amazement of the other divinities, she became the wisest of them all. On rare occasions she would invite humans to visit her in that dark place. In this episode we recount her visit with Parmenides, the pre-Socratic philosopher who influenced modern thought. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Support the showTweet me...

One goddess alone ruled in the ancient underworld. She was Persephone, although the Greeks dared call her only The Goddess. She had been dragged unwillingly into that gloom by Hades, but she quickly adapted to her circumstances. Mysteriously, she, among all the gods, became the treasury of dark knowledge, the sole portal into universal truths. Today’s Wiccans, neopagans and witches look to her as a touchstone into all mysteries. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible...

2,500 years ago Delos was the most sacred island in Greece. As the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it was destined to become both the holiest of sanctuaries and a wealthy trading center.   Its downside was that it was also the region’s largest slave market. Amidst all the temples and sanctimony, traders became immensely rich by selling slaves captured by roving pirates. That wealth became, in the end, the island’s ruin. If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel...

How many of us know about the Goddess Tyche? Today this powerful divinity is largely forgotten. But 2,500 years ago, she was believed to determine the day-to-day fortunes of every Greek. If your ship was tossed against rocks as you steered through a storm, it wasn’t your fate as much as your fortune. Tyche was at play. If you stumbled across a hidden treasure, you could thank the goddess. She alone dished out fortune, chance and luck. It’s time to become reacquainted with the divinity who...

In this episode Garner takes the listener on a pleasant hike in the countryside. But the city dweller stumbles upon a strange scene that may involve Athene, Artemis or Aphrodite.  Upon returning to the city our hiker encounters the same woman in a coffee shop. Yet within minutes she vanishes. Intrigued and stunned by the encounters, our hiker returns to the countryside and once again witnesses a scene that seems to be a re-creation of worship and sacrifice from thousands of years ago. If you...

Novel 4 of The Naxos Quartet sums up the most important things in life — love and belonging. In this episode Garner reads a brief selection from the book, focusing on a dramatic moment in the return of Inanna, Gaia, Timessa and Dionysos. The Naxos Quartet includes The Winnowing, Cycladic Girls, Homo Divinitas and All That Lasts. All the novels are available on Amazon.        If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on...

In 1976 an obscure psychologist from Princeton University published a book titled, “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.” It was a sensation, not in small part because Jaynes postulated that before modern consciousness occurred, the voices humans heard in their head were considered those of the gods.  He pinpointed the date of this shift to around 1200 B.C.  After this date, humans became self-aware, yet the Delphic Oracle remained relevant because she...

EP 45:  Interview with Greek AF Radio In this episode we join hosts Ari and Foti of Greek AF Radio as they interview Patrick Garner on a wide-ranging array of mythology topics. Garner discusses his creative background, his novels and the inspiration for the podcast itself. Greek AF Radio is the world’s largest platform for all thing Greek. Check them out at www.greekafradio.com ... If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available...

When Greece became part of the Roman empire in 146 B.C., the Olympic gods were still dominant. But the gods had begun to drift away even then. This episode tracks their willful retreat from the lives of mankind. Narrated by mythologist and best-selling author, Patrick Garner, Garner's Greek Mythology is unlike any other Greek history series.  Here these divine beings are viewed as if they were anything but mythical ... If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about...

In Episode 43 we analyze the impact of violence on the ancient Greeks. It was everywhere — the product of men constantly warring with each other and the result of gods randomly exerting their power. Far too often the gods precipitated war solely for their own enjoyment … Men waged war to replenish slaves. The Olympic gods fought with each other. Mortals who thought too highly of themselves were punished. Narrated by mythologist and best-selling author, Patrick Garner, Garner's Greek Mythology...

Episode 42: The Divine Voice Welcome to Episode 42 where we hear a divine voice — or rather, we hear about how Socrates was guided throughout his life by a spiritual voice called a daimon. This daimon accompanied him from his cradle to his death. Socrates was hardly alone in hearing a divine voice. The pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus makes reference to his own daimon. And centuries later, the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius writes extensively about being guided throughout his life by a...

Welcome to Episode 41 where we meet the ancient King of Cyprus, Pygmalion. The sculpture he creates of a beautiful woman changes his life — and provides inspiration for artists for another 3,000 years. King Pygmalion falls madly in love with the statue. Praying to Aphrodite to find him a woman as beautiful, the king is shocked to find that instead, the goddess breathes life into the statue itself. As Pygmalion gently kisses the carving, she steps off the base and into his arms. The king and...

Welcome to Episode 40. Now we leave ancient Greece and shift to contemporary America. The old gods have come to the suburbs of Pennsylvania to play — and to save the world. The three Fates, plus Artemis, Athene, Aphrodite and the ancient goddess Nyx — all appear in order to thwart scientists who are on the verge of discovering immortality. This startling tale weaves morality, sensuality and seduction with a fast-paced narrative that ends in conflagration, and finally, rebirth … Narrated by...

Welcome to Episode 39. In this episode we enter the city of Thebes with the god Dionysus, who returns to his mother’s home seeking revenge. There he converts the city’s women and girls to Bacchae, or followers of Bacchus, another name for Dionysus. He is arrested by the young King Pentheus and events goes downhill from there … Narrated by mythologist and best-selling author, Patrick Garner, Garner's Greek Mythology is unlike any other Greek history series.  Here these divine beings are viewed...

Welcome to Episode 38. In this episode we follow six cursed generations known as the House of Atreus. A classic Greek tragedy, the story involves gods and men, wives and daughters, and spans 800 miles of geography from Troy to Athens. Like so many of these tales, it begins with Zeus, who has a son who has a son. What follows? Murder, deceit, incest, matricide and suicide … Narrated by mythologist and best-selling author, Patrick Garner, Garner's Greek Mythology is unlike any other Greek...

Welcome to Episode 37. Imagine beasts that are half-horse and half-man. They’re crude. Their weapons are broken branches and rocks. The ancient Greeks called them Centaurs. But among them was a unique and sophisticated being. A centaur named Kheiron (pronounced Sheer-roan) was so wise and wily that gods and men asked him to teach their children. He raised Asklepios, Peleus, Jason and Achilles. He was friends with the hero Heracles. Although immortal, after a long life he was wounded by a...

Welcome to Episode 36. Today we examine the difficult topic of sacrifice. The discussion of killing animals upsets many people. If you’re one of them, this may be an episode to avoid. Sacrifice was so common in the ancient world that no one thought twice about the practice. On the contrary, sacrifice was an essential means of communication between mortals and divinities. Every ceremony, every celebration, every festival and every battle included the practice. In fact, not sacrificing was...

Welcome to Episode 35. In this show we identify the most exalted and powerful mortal women in Greece. Who were they? ... Priestesses, serving goddesses, and in some cases, gods. These women were the equivalent of today’s superstars. Their names were known by everyone, they conducted sacrifices, and they led festivals and celebrations throughout the year. But their most important function was to act as intermediaries, connecting ancient Greek women to the divine ... Narrated by mythologist and...