

Mythillogical
Charles Snart
Mythillogical is the podcast where two enthusiasts of mythology, history and folklore try and make sense of the wide variety of fantastic tales told by cultures around the world. We discuss why the same idea can show up in the mythology of cultures on opposite sides of the world, what real events can inspire superstition and folklore, how stories can completely change over time, and where possible try to figure out what could have inspired people to dream up dragons, demons, gods and monsters. May contain wild speculation, terrible puns, and if we’re lucky, actual facts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 30, 2025 • 2h 14min
Cú Chulainn, Hero of the Irish, Part 1
Heroes arise to battle! Today, Charles the Victorious and Cassie the Nightmare Queen discover the exploits of Cú Chulainn, Ireland’s greatest warrior. Along the way, they tell of the mythical origins of the Irish people, the gods Lugh and The Morrigan, the enmity of the Ulstermen and the Connachta, and Ireland’s most famous epic, the Cattle Raid of Cooley. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Audio editing by Byron Lewis, find more original work by him below! https://byronlewis.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@ByronLewis Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dec 14, 2024 • 2h 36min
The Story of Santa Claus
Ho ho ho! In this festive special, we open up our sack of gifts to give you the story of Santa Claus, from the story of Saint Nicholas of Myra, through to Germanic traditions around Christmas, and how much these influenced the jolly old man delivering presents on Christmas Eve. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music: Carol of the Bells (Celtic Version) by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 53min
The Loch Ness Monster, Part 3
Resurfacing with part three, we continue our voyage through the history of the Loch Ness Monster, following the organisations making scientific efforts to identify Nessie, and the story of one particularly infamous Nessie Hunter. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 51min
The Loch Ness Monster, Part 2
What lurks in the unfathomable depths of Loch Ness? This time we dive into the mystery of the famous monster, from mythical creatures of Scotland, to the sightings that gave birth to the legend we know today. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Aug 10, 2024 • 2h 52min
The Loch Ness Monster, Part 1
What lurks in the unfathomable depths of Loch Ness? This time we dive into the mystery of the famous monster, from mythical creatures of Scotland, to the sightings that gave birth to the legend we know today. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

May 18, 2024 • 2h 6min
Pandora's Box and the Creation of Man
Hey guys, it’s your girl Pandora, welcome to my latest unboxing video. Charles and Crofty join me to unpack my jar of evils, on the way learning of the creation of humanity, the trickery of Prometheus, and how the story evolved from Ancient Greece to the present day. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://www.twitter.com/The_Histocrat https://bsky.app/profile/thehistocrat.bsky.social Mythillogical logo + Thumbnail art by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

4 snips
Apr 14, 2024 • 1h 8min
The Flying Dutchman
Dive into the eerie world of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship cursed to sail the seas forever. Discover its transformation from a tragic vessel to a chilling omen for sailors. Hear about harrowing encounters during storms, superstitions, and the mysterious sailor delivering letters to the ghostly captain. Explore the evolution of the Dutchman’s legend, its connections to love, redemption, and cultural critiques, and learn how it became a key superstition for sailors by the late 19th century. Intriguing tales await!

Jan 24, 2024 • 2h 24min
Amaterasu and the Japanese Creation Myth
So folks, it’s been a while! On today’s episode Crofty and Charles journey to the land of the rising sun, to examine the head of the Japanese pantheon and mythical ancestress of it's Imperial family, Amaterasu. Together they examine her earliest appearances in Japanese myth, along with wider theories as to her origin and evolving significance in Japan’s culture. https://www.patreon.com/theHistocrat https://www.twitter.com/The_Histocrat Mythillogical logo by Ettore Mazza. You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below: https://www.instagram.com/ettore.mazza/ https://ettoremazza.tumblr.com/ Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 48min
The Fairies, Part 2
The hosts take a fascinating journey through the fairy ruins of Ireland and Scotland. They explore ancient myths, like the Tuatha Dé Danann and characters such as Lugh and the Banshee. Personal anecdotes from their visits to archaeological sites add a mystical touch. The influence of Reverend Robert Kirk on Scottish fairy lore opens a window to the past, while tales of Thomas the Rhymer delve into prophetic adventures. The intertwining of fairy beliefs with witchcraft adds a darker layer to this enchanting folklore.

Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 51min
The Fairies, Part 1
Dive into the enchanting world of fairies, from their origins as cunning elves to the regal figures of Elizabethan literature. Discover the darker side of fairy tales, including tales of changelings and their eerie implications. Join a mystical journey into Welsh traditions and meet unique fairy characters, while exploring the duality of their nature through figures like Puck. The hosts blend humor with history, making fairy folklore both intriguing and entertaining!