EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave

EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave

Author: Patrick Garner April 12, 2026 Duration: 20:28
What happened to the Greeks after death? What did other people in 500 BC believe? In this episode, we look at the afterworld of Greeks, Jews, Egyptians, Persians, Buddhists and Chinese. Feedback? Send me a text! Support the show Email any suggestions to patrickgarner@me.com

Garner's Greek Mythology moves beyond familiar tales to consider these ancient stories as a living force. Patrick Garner, a best-selling author and mythologist, doesn't just recount the exploits of Zeus, Apollo, or Artemis. He delves into their origins and enduring influence, asking provocative questions about their nature and their surprising evolution through history. This podcast explores what these deities represented to the Greeks and, more uniquely, traces their fragmented journeys into the modern world. You'll hear how figures like Aphrodite, Athena, and Poseidon were transformed, suppressed, or quietly persisted within art, philosophy, and spirituality. Now in its fifth season and heard globally, the series connects the pantheon to broader themes in religion, culture, and society. Garner provides a nuanced perspective that treats mythology not as a static relic but as a dynamic, shifting dialogue about power, love, war, and creation. Each episode builds on this foundation, offering rare insights that challenge conventional interpretations and invite a deeper appreciation for how these ancient gods continue to resonate.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 72

Garner's Greek Mythology
Podcast Episodes
EP 41: Pygmalion — From Ivory to Flesh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:34
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 fal…
EP 40: The Gods Are Here Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:38
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, Aphrodit…
EP 39: Dionysus, The Bacchae & The Fate Of Thebes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:25
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…
EP 38: The Curse of the House of Atreus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:31
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 T…
EP 37: Centaurs - The Strange Horse-Men [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:03
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 b…
EP 36: Ancient Sacrifice - Gifts for the Gods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
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 ancie…
EP 35: Greek Priestesses - Power-Brokers for the Gods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:31
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…
EP 34: The Muses -- Where Art Begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
Welcome to Episode 34! Here we take our inspiration from the Muses, nine goddesses and daughters of the mighty Zeus. 3,000 years ago they lit the fire behind every masterpiece. Many of us say they play the identical role…
EP 33: Pythagoras - Man or God? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:56
Welcome to Episode 33 where we meet Pythagoras, a 6th century B.C. genius. Was he man or god? Not even his contemporaries were sure. Pythagoras himself once said, “There are gods … and there are men … and there is Pythag…
EP 32 - The Spartans: Defiance, Dominance, Defeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
Welcome to Episode 32. In this episode we hang with the mighty Spartans. Where did they come from? How did they grow to dominate the Greek world in all things relating to war? Their society was founded by a man named Lyc…