Great Mythologies of the World

Overview

Course No. 2380
Four renowned professors guide you through 60 lectures exploring:

• Creation stories, gods, and heroes from six continents
• Universal mythological themes across cultures
• How myths shaped civilizations and reflect human values
• Comparative analysis of Greek, Norse, African, Asian, and Native American traditions

Discover why these ancient narratives continue to resonate across millennia and cultures.

Video Lessons

European and Mediterranean Traditions

1. Greek Titans (35 min)
   Uranus, Kronos, and Zeus’s cosmic battles
2. Greek Goddesses (31 min)
   Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera’s complex roles
3. Gods & Humanity (33 min)
   Prometheus, Pandora, and Eleusinian Mysteries
4. Herakles (32 min)
   The flawed hero’s twelve labors
5. Odysseus (33 min)
   Homer’s master schemer and survivor
6. Jason & Medea (33 min)
   Golden Fleece quest and tragic aftermath

7-9. Roman Myths (98 min total)
Romulus/Remus, Aeneas, and mother goddess Cybele

10. Celtic Mythology (32 min)
    Dagda’s harp and Cú Chulainn’s exploits

11-12. Norse Legends (64 min total)
Odin, Thor, and magical artifacts

Middle Eastern and African Traditions

13. Gilgamesh Epic (33 min)
    World’s oldest surviving myth
14. Babylonian Creation (31 min)
    Enuma Elish’s cosmic origins

15-17. Egyptian Myths (97 min total)
Osiris, Horus, Ra, and pharaohs’ divine roles

18. Book of Job (30 min)
    Suffering and divine justice

25-36. African Mythology (12 lectures)
Creation stories, tricksters, and epic heroes

Asian and Pacific Traditions

19-20. Indian Epics (65 min total)
Ramayana and Mahabharata sagas

21. Buddhist Stories (31 min)
    Buddha’s life and teachings
22. Persian Book of Kings (31 min)
    Rostam’s heroic labors
23. Arabian Nights (31 min)
    Sindbad and supernatural tales

37-48. East Asian & Pacific Myths (12 lectures)
Chinese sage-kings, Korean syncretism, Polynesian nature gods

Americas and Indigenous Traditions

49-57. Native American Myths (9 lectures)
Inuit, Iroquois, Navajo, and Pueblo stories

58-60. Mesoamerican Myths (96 min total)
Maya Popol Vuh, Aztec gods, Inca creation