Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Abaddon, the abyss of absolute destruction in the Old Testament and the angel of the bottomless pit in the New Testament.. The term "Abaddon" originates from the Hebrew word "?????" (Avaddon), stemming from the root "???" (avad), which signifies "to be lost" or "to perish." Generally, "Abaddon" is understood as a great annihilating abyss; though less commonly, it is also the name of the angel who presides over this abyss, as we'll see. In the context of the Old Testament, Abaddon serves as a descriptor for a realm of destruction, frequently linked with Sheol--another Hebrew term, indicative of the underworld or the realm of the dead. However, the New Testament presents an evolution in the conception of Abaddon. No longer a place of doom and destruction, it becomes personified as a sentient entity with authority over the abyss. We're going to begin with three books from the Old Testament (the Books of Job, Proverbs, and Psalms), using them to consider Abaddon as conceptualized inanimately, meaning as a physical place or as an abstraction. Following that, we're going to dive into the book of Revelation, which is where Abaddon is personified, becoming a sentient entity, given the ominous honourific 'the angel of the abyss' and presented as the king of a pestilent swarm, as can be seen from this passage: "They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon." Alright, let's get into it. The Book of Job explores profound questions about human suffering, the nature of God, and the relationship between God and humanity. The story begins with Job, a man from the land of Uz who is described as "blameless" and "upright," who "feared God and shunned evil". Job is prosperous, with a large family and extensive flocks. In the heavenly realm, God praises Job's righteousness to 'the Adversary', Ha-Satan in Hebrew. The Adversary challenges Job's piety, arguing that Job is only righteous because he has been blessed with prosperity. The Adversary suggests that if Job were to suffer, he would surely curse God. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explain. Today, we're going to dive into the final battle between God and Satan. This story comes to us in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, and can be broken down into three stages, which are: (1) Satan and his fallen angels being cast out of heaven by Michael and the angels who remain loyal to God; (2) Satan and his wicked legions being defeated by Jesus, resulting in Satan's imprisonment for 1,000 years; (and 3) Satan and his forces being extirpated by God - this resulting in Satan's final defeat, which sees him cast into the lake of fire, where he will remain imprisoned, writhing in endless torment beyond the light of God's grace, for all of eternity. Alright, let's get into it. The Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, is an apocalyptic text, the writing of which is attributed to the Apostle John. It presents a series of visions and prophecies, vividly depicting a cosmic conflict between good and evil - the legions of the light and the divisions of the dark, each headed, respectively, by God and Satan. The culmination of all the war and wrath entailed in the Book of Revelation is the final judgment, the time when all souls will be judged, either rewarded with eternal life in paradise or condemned to the lake of fire, an unimaginably terrible fate marked by unending anguish and affliction and by utter and eternal separation from God. The Book of Revelation begins with John the Apostle on the island of Patmos. He receives a revelation from Jesus Christ, who instructs him to write to seven churches in Asia Minor. These letters commend, admonish, and encourage the churches, highlighting their virtues and vices and emphasizing the imminent return of Christ. In chapters 4-5, John is swept into a vision of heaven, where he sees God's throne, surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures. God holds a scroll sealed with seven seals, which no one is worthy to open except the Lion of Judah, depicted as a slain lamb, symbolizing Jesus Christ. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Sobek, a god depicted as either a crocodile or as a man with the head of a crocodile. Infamously known for snatching women from their husbands whenever the mood struck him, he was the god of water, especially the waters of the Nile, of river banks and marshlands, the patron of fishermen, and depending on the version, either a force for order or a force for chaos. Alright, let's get into it. Sobek, whose name means crocodile, was worshiped from at least as far back as the Old Kingdom, a period that began nearly 5,000 years ago, and he was revered for his power, the locus of which was rooted in, among other aspects, common crocodile haunts. The Pyramid Texts show him to be the son of Neith, a creator goddess who embodied the primordial waters of Nun, who was extolled with names like the Great Mother and the Terrifying One. In these same texts, Sobek was called the "raging one [who] takes women from their husbands whenever he wishes according to his desire". His consort, depending on the source, was either Renenutet, the harvest goddess, or Hathor, goddess of women, the sky, love, and fertility. In some places, such as Crocodilopolis, somewhere we'll cover in greater detail later on in the video, Sobek was worshiped as the great male god who emerged from the primordial waters. He was most feared and most venerated where people had to be wary of crocodiles. Moreover, he became the patron god of fishermen, who worked on his waters and had to contend with his great lurking predators on a daily basis, so fishermen invoked him for protection and prosperity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to dive into the story of the lost city of Atlantis. More than eleven thousand years ago the nations of the Mediterranean were attacked by a dominant naval power, hailing from outside the Pillars of Heracles. These invading Atlanteans sought to enslave all peoples within the pillars, only to be thwarted at the final hour by the Hellenes, the virtuous ancestors of the ancient Greeks who trace their lineage back to Athena herself. Though the Mediterranean was freed from subjugation, the conflict was not punctuated by a resounding victory but by the opening of the earth's cavernous and gnashing jaws - this unleashing sundering quakes and swallowing floods. In the resulting cataclysm, all the fighting men of the Hellenes sank into the earth, and: "...in a single day and night of misfortune... the island of Atlantis in like manner disappeared into the depths of the sea." Alright, Let's get into it. The story of Atlantis is preserved in the form of two dialogues by Plato, the Timaeus and the Critias, written circa 360 BC. The dialogues contain nested narratives passed down orally for over 200 years, and we'll read from the core narrative today. It follows Solon, a law-maker and poet of ancient Athens, who traveled to Egypt around 600 BC, and there learned of his own people's history from an aged Egyptian priest. Solon's account of these teachings, which are the earliest references to Atlantis in the literary record, are summarized in the "Timaeus" and detailed in the "Critias", though the latter dialogue survives only in part. In the "Timaeus", the story of Atlantis is introduced, albeit briefly. Both dialogues feature Socrates in conversation with three interlocutors - Timaeus, Critias, and Hermocrates. (Interlocutor, if you didn't know, is a formal word that denotes a participant in a conversation or dialogue.) Timaeus, a Pythagorean philosopher, is the primary speaker in the first dialogue, though he does not speak on Atlantis, instead presenting a complex and allegorical account of the creation of the universe, the Earth, human beings, and the cosmos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. Today's video dives into the celestial spheres of Heaven as they are depicted in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. Alright, let's get into it. The Divine Comedy is a monumental epic poem from the 14th century penned by Italian author Dante Alighieri. Comprising three components: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, it charts an allegorical journey through the afterlife - Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven - offering reflections on human morality, sin, and absolution. Our protagonist, Dante, finds himself astray in a gloomy forest, a metaphor for spiritual bewilderment. Guided through Hell and Purgatory by the Roman poet Virgil and later through Heaven by his beloved Beatrice, Dante's voyage examines the assorted rewards and punishments souls receive contingent on their earthly deeds and spiritual development. In Paradiso, the last part of the poem, Dante and Beatrice journey through the nine celestial spheres of Heaven. Dante encounters various saints and scholars, exploring the nature of divine love, wisdom, and the celestial hierarchy. The nine celestial spheres, as depicted in Dante's Divine Comedy, represent a hierarchical structure of Heaven based on the Christian cosmology and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Each sphere is associated with a celestial body (such as the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Fixed Stars, and the Primum Mobile). The structure of the spheres is such that it reflects the spiritual progression of souls from lesser to greater states of blessedness and closer proximity to God. The journey through the spheres begins with the First Sphere of the Moon, inhabited by those who were faithful but inconsistent in their vows. As Dante ascends through the spheres, he encounters souls that have achieved higher states of virtue and understanding during their earthly lives. The ascent culminates with the Primum Mobile, or the "First Moved," which symbolizes the pure love and will of God that drives all creation. Beyond the ninth sphere lies the Empyrean, the realm of pure light and divine presence, where God resides. The celestial spheres, therefore, provide a structured, hierarchical framework for understanding the various levels of spiritual attainment and divine proximity in Dante's interpretation of Heaven. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video we're going to answer an interesting and deceptively complicated question: Why does Satan Have 7 heads and 10 horns. First, we're going to look at what the Book of Revelation is, especially at the passage that pertains to the Red Dragon, a monstrous creature with seven heads and 10 horns who is thought to be Satan. Second, we'll quickly look at what Eschatology is (eschatology being the aspect of theology that focuses on death, judgment, the transcendence of the soul, and the destiny of humanity.) Third, we're going to look at the four lenses of Eschatology (preterism, historicism, futurism, and idealism), delving into each of them in turn and using each of them to understand the significance of Satan, as the Red Dragon of Revelation, having seven heads and 10 horns. Alright, let's get into it. The Book of Revelation is the final book of the bible. It is an apocalyptic and highly symbolic work that describes a vision received by the apostle John, revealing divine messages about the future, the final judgment, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It speaks of cosmic battles, the return of Jesus Christ, the establishment of a new heaven and earth, and the ultimate victory of God's Kingdom. Most germane to this video is the passage from the Book of Revelation that describes Satan as a Red Dragon and details the battle in heaven. In it, Satan and his angels fight against the angels who remain faithful to God.The battle is punctuated by the defeat of Satan and the expulsion of him and the angels he led astray from heaven. We'll begin with this passage, and then we'll spend the rest of the video examining what eschatology - its various branches - has to say about Satan's monstrous appearance. Here's the passage: "Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter." And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss nine of the most powerful giants in Norse mythology, especially those who contribute to defeating the Gods and Destroying the world during the fire and flood of Ragnarok, the great age-ending conflict that looms near in the mythic future. Alright, Let's get into it. Starting off our list is Ymir To speak of Ymir is to speak of the beginning of the universe, for he drew breath before any of the gods. First, there was only Ginnungagap, the great void. In it, two realms emerged: Niflheim, a world of ice in the North, and Muspelheim, a world of fire in the South. The Northern cold of Niflheim spread into the heart of Ginnungagap, and the heat from Muspelheim emanated from the south. Fire and frost met; droplets of water formed, and in these droplets there was a quickening. Ymir, whom the giants called Aurgelmir, was given form and life. He was the very first giant, and all the giants who dwell in Jotunheim, the realm of the giants, are his descendants. Later, Ymir began to sweat profusely in his sleep, a sweat of procreation. Two giants, one male and one female, grew underneath his left arm, and his legs came together, coupling to produce a second son. Another being emerged, Audhumbla, the cosmic cow. Four rivers of milk flowed from her udders, and it was from these rivers that Ymir drank and nourished himself. Though Audhumbla provided sustenance, it was she who would unearth the sire of Ymir's doom. She subsisted on salty blocks of ice, and her incessant licking eventually thawed out and freed Buri, the first god. He sired a son, Bor, who took the giantess Bestla as his wife, and they, in turn, had three sons: Odin, Vili, and Ve, who attacked Ymir, killing him, then tearing apart his body into the material from which they made the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Samson, one of the judges appointed by God to champion the Israelites. He's a man characterized by prodigious strength and ungovernable impulsivity, a man who could fairly be dubbed the biblical Hercules. We'll begin by going over who exactly the judges were and who the Philistines were, and then with that covered, we'll spend the rest of the video going over Samson's story in its entirety. Alright, let's get into it. The judges are a series of leaders who guided and governed the Israelites before the establishment of the monarchy. Their stories are primarily recounted in the Book of Judges, which is the seventh book of the Old Testament. The judges were not judges in the modern sense of the word; they were more like tribal leaders, military commanders, and deliverers chosen by God to rescue the Israelites from their enemies and to govern the people during times of crisis. The judges were seen as instruments of God's will, and their authority was believed to be divinely ordained. The period of the judges lasted several centuries, from the time of Joshua's death until the rise of the monarchy with the anointing of King Saul. According to the Book of Judges, the Israelites would often fall into a cycle of disobedience and idolatry, prompting God to allow their enemies to oppress them. Then, when the Israelites cried out to God for help, He would raise up a judge to deliver them from their enemies, restoring peace and order for a time. However, once the judge died, the Israelites would often fall back into disobedience, and the cycle would repeat. The Philistines were an ancient people who lived in the southern coastal region of Canaan, along the eastern Mediterranean coast, in what is now modern-day Israel and the Gaza Strip. Their territory, known as Philistia, comprised five main city-states: Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza. The Philistines emerged as a distinct culture around the 12th century BC and persisted until the Babylonian conquest in the 6th century BC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Samael, also known as Satan, Samil, Seir, Salmael, and Satanil, an enigmatic and ambiguous figure in that, depending on the source, he's portrayed as a either a champion of the light or as an entity of profound evil, comprising two diametrically opposed aspects. Samael is the angel of the planet Mars and of one of the days of the week, Tuesday. He's the angel of death, for which he is known to stand near the heads of those for whom the end draws near, holding up a sword from which a single drop of poison falls into their mouths, ending life. He's described as the angel of Rome, an epithet with negative connotations given Rome's invasion of Israel; he's described as a great 12 winged serpent, and he's described as the serpent who tempts Eve, tempting her to sin, seducing her, and siring Cain, the world's first murderer. Alright, let's get into it. In some Jewish astrological works, Samael was thought to be the angel who presided over mars. Samael is said to either be the chief of the fifth heaven or to reside in the seventh. In the Talmud, He's presented as Esau's, the twin brother of Jacob's, guardian angel. Samael is described as the angelic prince guardian of Edom, an ancient name for the land - what is now southwestern Jordan - that borders Israel. In the Holy Kabbalah, he's designated as "the severity of God '' and features as the 5th archangel in Beri'ah: the world of creation, an angelological realm that exists next to Atzilut, the plane of divine emanation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In Today's video, we're going to dive into a question that has been debated by theologians since the inception - or close to it - of Christianity, which is why does God allow Satan to exist instead of just expunging him from creation. This dove-tails into the implicit overarching question of why God suffers the existence of evil to mar his grand design, for as an omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent being, he could simply extirpate evil, yanking it out root and stem with nothing more than a thought. We're going to begin with a quick overview of Satan: who he was as angel, why he was cast out of heaven, and what he became after his precipitous expulsion, banished from the divine plane and plummeting like a lump of celestial rock burning through the atmosphere. After that, we'll spend the rest of the video going over four theological theories that explain why Satan - and more broadly, evil - are allowed to endure, including: free will, soul-making theodicy, the limitations of human understanding, and the greater good. Free will argues that God allows Satan to exist to preserve human moral agency, enabling meaningful choices between good and evil. Soul-making theodicy posits that Satan and evil serve as necessary challenges for humans to grow morally and spiritually. The limitations of human understanding suggest that humans cannot fully grasp God's reasons for allowing evil and Satan to exist, and the greater good theory asserts that God permits evil and Satan to achieve a higher purpose, such as developing virtues or fulfilling God's plan. Alright, Let's get into it. Before his fall, Satan held a high-ranking position among the angels in heaven; often it is inferred that he was formerly the highest ranking. Although the Bible does not provide explicit details about his pre-fall status, passages in Isaiah and Ezekiel are often interpreted as referring to Satan's fall due to pride. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Zagreus, the son of Zeus. He was destined to become the next king of the Cosmos, eventually replacing his father, this evidenced by Zeus seating Zagreus on his throne and arming him with lightning, the most powerful weapon in all of Greek mythology, Zeus having laid low countless foes with the searing destruction of his smoking bolts. Zagreus is not a prominent figure in mainstream Greek mythology, and his existence is predominantly associated with Orphism, a religious movement that provided an alternative belief system in Ancient Greece. While some aspects of Zagreus' story occasionally overlap with traditional Greek myths, his importance is almost entirely exclusive to Orphic beliefs and texts. First, we're going to get into what Orphism is: when it started, why Orpheus is the primary prophet, and what the core beliefs are. Second, we're going to explore the story of Zagreus: his birth, the lofty aspirations his father had for him, and his horrific death. And finally, we're going to wrap the video up with the birth of Dionysus, the God Zagreus became after his heart was saved and used to impregnate a mortal woman. Alright, let's get into it. Orphism is a religious movement and belief system that emerged in ancient Greece around the sixth century BC, offering its followers hope for salvation and the prospect of an afterlife that was more paradisiacal than the gloom of Hades' realm. It is named after the mythical musician and poet Orpheus, who was said to have ventured into the underworld and returned to the mortal plane, thus piercing the veil and coming back changed, now endowed with profound knowledge about the spiritual essence of humans and the path to salvation. The Orphic teachings, which are preserved in fragments and referenced by ancient authors such as Plato, provide a unique perspective on the nature of the human soul and its relationship with the divine, emphasizing the need for inner transformation and purification in order to achieve spiritual liberation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video we're going to discuss the Watchers, a group of 200 fallen angels who unleashed evil into the world, triggering a chain of events that saw the world savaged by giants and later inundated by a world-consuming flood, saw the creation of the first demons (this coming from a more esoteric and marginally-endorsed origin story of how demons came to be), and saw the Watchers fall prey to ruination when the consequences of their actions finally caught up with them in the form of divine retribution. We're going to begin by looking at what the Book of Enoch is, then looking at the Dead Sea Scrolls, a cache of religious texts found in the 1940s that forced people to rethink the importance of the Book of Enoch, now shown to be thousands of years old. After that, we'll go through the story of The Watchers, cover to cover, beginning with their departure from heaven and ending with their incarceration in the abyss. Lastly, we'll examine an intriguing, lesser-known origin story of demons. While the mainstream belief holds that demons are fallen angels, this alternative account suggests that demons are the restless souls of the Nephilim, a race of fierce giants who were driven to extinction through deadly conflict orchestrated by the machinations of a cunning archangel. Alright, Let's get into it. The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious work ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. Although it is not part of the biblical canon for most Christian denominations and is not considered part of the Hebrew Bible, the text has been influential in Christian eschatology and apocryphal literature. Composed during the Second Temple period (around 300 BC to 70 AD), it consists of five distinct sections, each addressing unique themes and purposes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Ogdoad, the group of 8 primordial gods who embody the qualities of chaos in Egyptian mythology - a group of 8 self-created gods so ancient they existed for years uncounted before creation even began. We're going to begin with the Waters of Nun and at how the ancient Egyptians conceptualized the universe. Then we're going to discuss the Ogdoad: where they came from, who they were, and what their purpose was. And finally, we're going to wrap up by taking a quick look at the complementary nature of different creation myths in Ancient Egyptian mythology Alright, let's get into it. The Waters of Nun, also known as the Primordial Waters, are a fundamental concept in ancient Egyptian cosmology, referring to the formless, chaotic, and boundless expanse of water that existed before creation. In ancient Egyptian beliefs, the universe emerged from this watery abyss, with the primeval mound, or Benben, rising from the waters to become the first dry land and the site of creation. This process of emergence from the chaos of the Waters of Nun is often referred to as the "Zep Tepi," or the "First Time," which marked the beginning of time and heralded the beginning of life on Earth. Similar concepts of an infinite chaos preceding creation can be found in other mythologies. In Greek mythology, Chaos is the primordial deity representing the void or formless state from which the cosmos emerged (Hesiod, 2006). In Norse mythology, Ginnungagap is the primordial void that existed before the creation of the cosmos. It is described as a vast abyss, lying between the realms of fire (Muspelheim) and ice (Niflheim). When the fire and ice met in Ginnungagap, they formed the first giant, Ymir, marking the beginning of creation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Seraphim, the angels closest to God's throne and the highest order of angels in the celestial hierarchy. Because of this, Seraphim can be viewed as the most powerful order of angels - the most powerful demons sometimes said to have been Seraphim before they fell from grace and became malevolent entities. However, it is important to note that certain named archangels, especially Michael, are often considered the most powerful angels. Michael, for example, is seen as a warrior and protector, and in the Bible, he is depicted as leading the heavenly host in the battle against Satan and the forces of evil. One reason that explains this is that the word 'archangel' has multiple meanings. In angelology, it usually refers to the second lowest angelic order. However, in the bible, the word 'archangel' has a more general meaning that simply denotes superior angelic beings. The word Seraphim is derived from the Hebrew word "saraph," which means "to burn," and reflects their intense, fiery nature, usually associated with their burning love for God. They are mentioned explicitly in the Bible only in the Book of Isaiah, where they appear in a vision experienced by the prophet Isaiah. In this vision, the Seraphim are described as having six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two for flying. Seraphim are considered the highest order of angels in the Christian angelic hierarchy, this based on the classification system developed by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in his work "The Celestial Hierarchy." Thomas Aquinas, in his "Summa Theologica," further developed the understanding of Seraphim, emphasizing their unmatched love for God and their superior knowledge of divine truths. As part of the first triad in the angelic hierarchy (along with Cherubim and Thrones), Seraphim serve as intermediaries between God and the lower orders of angels, transmitting divine wisdom throughout the cosmos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the nine circles of Hell as they are presented in the Divine Comedy. Alright, let's get into it. The Divine Comedy is a 14th-century epic poem written by Italian poet Dante Alighieri, consisting of three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. It is an allegorical journey through the realms of the afterlife - Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven - serving as a reflection on human sin, morality, and redemption. The protagonist, Dante, finds himself lost in a dark forest, symbolizing spiritual confusion. The Roman poet Virgil, sent by Dante's beloved Beatrice, guides him through Hell and Purgatory, while Beatrice herself leads him through Heaven. The narrative explores the various punishments and rewards experienced by souls based on their earthly deeds and spiritual growth. In Inferno, Dante and Virgil journey through nine circles of Hell, each representing different categories of sin, with punishments tailored to the severity of the sins committed. Dante encounters historical and mythological figures, using their stories to explore themes of divine justice and the consequences of human actions and behavior. Purgatorio, the second part of the poem, is set on Mount Purgatory, a seven-terraced mountain representing the seven deadly sins. As souls ascend the mountain, they undergo purification through penance and spiritual growth. Dante's journey through Purgatory serves as a metaphor for the process of overcoming sin and embracing virtue. Finally, Paradiso depicts Dante's ascent through the celestial spheres of Heaven. Guided by Beatrice, Dante encounters various saints and theologians, exploring the nature of divine love and wisdom. The journey culminates in a vision of God, emphasizing the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we'll be discussing Sekhmet. In the pantheon of ancient Egyptian deities, Sekhmet, the fierce and powerful lioness goddess, holds a unique position, one of great power and importance. Her name, derived from the ancient Egyptian word "sekhem" which means "power" or "might," captures the essence of her divine role as a protector and a punisher. Her head was surmounted by the sun disc encircled by the Uraeus. The sun disc symbolized the Eye of Ra, and the Uraeus was the rearing cobra that symbolized divine authority. Sekhmet embodied the dichotomy of life and death, wielding destruction and restoration as a person would a sword and shield - this making her a complex and enigmatic pattern in the tapestry of Egyptian mythology, for she was capable both of annihilating the enemies of the Sun God and of healing those fortunate enough to find succor beneath the bulwark of her protection. While Sekhmet was a harbinger of death and did unleash carnage, when it came to royalty, particularly pharaohs, she was unequivocally a protective force, functioning as a sort of protective mother to the kings of Egypt. In Memphis, the capital city where the Pharaohs lived during the Old Kingdom, Sekhmet was worshiped as the consort of Ptah, who created the universe with his heart and tongue, and as the mother of Nefertem, the personification of the primeval lotus from which Ra, the sun god, emerged when creation commenced. She was often associated with Ra, as his daughter and the manifestation of his destructive power. Her prowess as a warrior was legendary, her fiery breath and fierce gaze capable of either wiping-out her enemies or safeguarding those under her protection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the seven deadly sins and the seven deadly demons who represent the seven deadly sins. We're going to begin by looking at how the modern conceptualization of the seven deadly sins was created; then we're going to dive into what exactly the seven deadly sins are; and finally, we're going to look at the seven deadly demons who represent the seven deadly sins. Let's get into it. The modern conceptualization of the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins, emerged from early Christian monastic traditions in Egypt, which were significantly influenced by Neoplatonist teachings from the School of Alexandria, which was located in the city of Alexandria and was founded in the 3rd century BC. These sins represent the most objectionable vices in Christian moral teachings and are considered particularly harmful, as they lead to other immoral behaviors, hindering spiritual growth and righteousness. To understand the development of the Seven Deadly Sins, it is essential to recognize the gradual process involving various theologians and thinkers who aimed to identify and classify human failings and vices that obstruct spiritual growth. The Seven Deadly Sins are considered so odious and ruinous because they represent fundamental moral weaknesses and negative character traits that spawn immoral behavior, harm to oneself or others, and spiritual degradation. These sins are believed to be particularly destructive because they give rise to other vices and harmful actions. Additionally, they are considered obstacles to spiritual growth and the development of virtues, which are essential for living a morally upright life. By identifying and avoiding these sins, individuals are thought to be better able to cultivate virtues and live in harmony with themselves, others, and their spiritual beliefs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video we're going to try and figure out whether demons are more powerful than angels. Let me start off by saying that this question has no definitive answer and that there's a lot of different ways one could try to answer it, different ways yielding different results. There's different angelic hierarchies, and there's different demonic hierarchies, many of which, in both cases, have been influential for centuries. Although, I will say that angelic hierarchies do have a degree of legitimacy that the demonic hierarchies do not. Most demonic hierarchies were produced during the late medieval period, the renaissance, and the early modern period, and words like occult and folklore go a lot farther in describing them accurately than the phrase 'Christian doctrine'. The bible has little to say about angels and even less about demons. We'll begin by answering two questions: where do demons come from, and how is the angelic hierarchy structured? Answering where demons come from, we'll explore the theory of demons being fallen angels. While this isn't the only theory that explains the origin of demons (in the Book of Enoch, for example, demons are said to be the spirits of the Nephilim) It is the most widely accepted theory in Christianity, as evidenced by many of the early church fathers endorsing it. Answering how the angelic hierarchy is structured, we'll look at Dionysius the Areopagite's angelic hierarchy, one of the most influential and widely recognized systems of angelic stratification in Christian theology. However, it is important to note that there is no single "official" version of the angelic hierarchy accepted by all Christian denominations, different traditions having various interpretations and classifications of angels. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, and welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we'll be discussing an intriguing Old Testament passage that has been subject to various interpretations over time. Originally, it was understood in a more literal sense as referring to a Babylonian king. However, during the time of the early church fathers, this passage took on a metaphorical meaning, connecting it to Satan's fall from heaven after he rebelled against God. Let's get into it. Isaiah 14:12-15 is a fascinating passage from the Old Testament, interpreted differently throughout history. While the original meaning of the passage refers to the king of Babylon, it was eventually connected to the fall of Lucifer, or Satan, in Christian theology, this becoming the prevailing interpretation. Here's the passage: How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, In this passage, the prophet Isaiah delivers a prophetic message on behalf of God. Addressing the King of Babylon, Isaiah uses metaphorical language to describe the ruler as the "morning star" or "son of the dawn." This king was known for his arrogance, pride, and unquenchable desire for power, and the passage serves to condemn his hubris. The King's grandiose ambitions to rise above other nations and become like the Most High (God) are detailed in verses 13-14. However, verse 15 prophesies his eventual downfall, stating that he will be brought down to the realm of the dead. This passage serves as a stark warning to those who exalt themselves and pursue power at the expense of others. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Ark of the Covenant, the receptacle that was built to hold the 10 commandments. The Ten Commandments are a set of moral and religious laws that are central to Judaism and Christianity. According to the Bible, the Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai and are considered to be the foundation of Jewish and Christian ethical and moral beliefs, instructing people in their relationship with God and in their relationships with each other. We're going to start things off by looking at 5 occult theories about what the Ark of the covenant truly is. Following that we're going to look at the life of Moses: beginning with his inauspicious birth and his serendipitous adoption into the Egyptian Royal family. This will take us to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their Journey to Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the 10 commandments. The ark was built shortly thereafter to house the 10 commandments and, after 40 long years of wandering in the wilderness, was eventually brought to the land of Canaan, the land promised to the Israelites by God. We'll see how the Ark was instrumental in securing a number of military victories for the Israelites, allowing them to conquer the land that was promised them so long ago, how it was captured by the Philistines, and how the wrongful possession of it brought nothing but devastation to the Philistines, who eventually returned it, along with a bounty of compensatory gold. Finally, we're going to wrap the video up with what could be called the Ark's final chapter: its transportation to Jerusalem, its disappearance when Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians, and a few theories that speak to where the Ark might be today. Let's get into it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we'll be discussing Atlas, the titan condemned to hold the sky up upon his shoulders for all of eternity, the Titan - because of his incredible power, unbreakable will, and superlative leadership - who was singled-out and saddled with a bespoke punishment that was even worse than being cast down into the depths of Tartarus, as was the fate of all the other male Titans who fought against the gods in the Titanomachy. Let's get into it. Said to be a wise man and known as the father of astronomy, Atlas was the Titan saddled with the unending burden of holding up the heavens on his shoulders, functioning as a living pillar that separated earth from sky. He could be found, locked between Gaia and Uranus, in the far West, near the edge of the world, adjacent to where the Hesperides dwelt. And because of the tireless effort required for his perpetual task, Atlas was associated with endurance and resilience. The first generation Titans comprised the original 12 titans who were the progeny of two primordial deities, Gaia, the personification of the earth, and Uranus, the personification of the sky. Atlas' father was Iapetus, one of the original 12 Titans, and his mother was Clymene, one of the Oceanids, which was a group of 3,000 sea nymphs who were the daughters of Oceanus. Atlas, along with his three brothers, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius, were second generation Titans. Unlike the other titans who fought against the Olympians during the Titanomachy, which was the cataclysmic 10 year war that raged between the gods and the Titans, Atlas wasn't condemned to an eternity of imprisonment in the depths of Tartarus. No, his special punishment was to forever hold up the heavens upon his shoulders. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Spear of Destiny, the spear that pierced Jesus after he died on the cross (also called the Holy Spear, the Lance of Longinus, and the Holy Lance). We're going to begin by spending a little time on the spear's current location, then moving on to Hitler, who, at the very least, has become closely associated with it in popular culture, then moving on to the practice of crucifixion, and finally, wrapping up the video with the death of Jesus and the significance of both water and blood pouring forth from Jesus' chest after he was stabbed. Let's get into it. First and foremost, it's important to note that the Spear of Destiny was just a regular spear before it pierced the side of Jesus Christ. It was the blood of Jesus that made it special. The true whereabouts of the Spear of Destiny are unknown and remain a mystery. While there are many legends and stories about the spear and its ownership, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that anyone currently possesses it or knows where it is. Over the years, many alleged "Holy Lances" have been discovered, but none of them have been authenticated or substantiated as the true Spear that pierced Jesus. Some of these lances are believed to be mediaeval forgeries, while others are believed to be genuine relics but lack the historical provenance to conclusively corroborate them to be the spear onto which the blood of Jesus poured. Some have suggested that the true Spear of Destiny may have been lost or destroyed centuries ago. Others believe that it may still exist, perhaps surreptitiously stashed away in a secret location by an ancient steward of bygone centuries, perhaps held by a private collector or organization that hasn't been forthcoming about the possession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the angel who single-handedly erased an entire army in one night, slaughtering 185,000 soldiers in one fell swoop. First, we're going to look at the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem based on what is said in Assyrian sources; second, we're going to look at the biblical account, which ends with an unnamed angel wiping out the Assyrian army and delivering Jerusalem from ruin and subjugation. Let's get into it. Sennacherib was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 705 BC to 681 BC. He was the son of Sargon II, and his reign was marked by numerous military campaigns and architectural projects that aimed to strengthen and expand the empire. Sennacherib is best known for his campaigns against the Kingdom of Judah and the city of Babylon, as well as for constructing the new Assyrian capital, Nineveh. Sennacherib's military campaigns aimed to consolidate the empire's power and suppress revolts in conquered territories. He fought against various regional powers, including the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Elamites, and Arameans. Historical records, primarily from Assyrian sources, indicate that Sennacherib did launch a campaign against the Kingdom of Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. This is supported by "Sennacherib's Annals," which are a series of inscriptions on clay prisms that describe Sennacherib's military campaigns. Thanks for watching! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Leviathan, the biblical sea monster, a monster so infamous that his very name has become a byword for sea monsters in general. Depending on the source, it is either a large sea animal, a sea monster, an archdemon, another name for Satan, or a wellspring of power that can be tapped into by those with arcane knowledge or unorthodox religious beliefs. We're going to begin with the Book of Job, which is where most of the biblical information about Leviathan comes from. Next, we'll take a look at how he factors into demonology. Following that we're going to explore the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation myth. It features a monstrous goddess named Tiamat who is thought by some to perhaps be an antecedent that influenced the inclusion of Leviathan in Jewish Scripture and, thus, Christian Scripture. Let's get into it. Most of the Biblical information about Leviathan comes from the Book of Job, from chapter 41. In it, he's described as a giant sea monster: invincible scales armoring his body, fire erupting from his mouth, and smoke billowing from his nostrils. Mortal weapons are useless against him, and such is his strength that to him steel is like straw and brass like rotten wood. To see him is to have the frozen fist of fear grasp one's heart, and not even the bravest can stand before him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss Mimir, a giant who was counted among the gods and renowned the nine realms over for his knowledge and wisdom. He was traded in a hostage exchange to end a war between two warring tribes of gods. He was decapitated by his captors, his severed head later reanimated by Odin. And he was the master of the well of Mimir, a well that teemed with knowledge, wisdom, and mystical power that could be harnessed by those who drank from it - that is, by those who could stomach the sacrifice needed to drink from it. We're going to begin with the Aesir-Vanir War, then moving on to Mimir's time as a hostage, and finally, wrapping up with the Well of Mimir and Mimir's relationship with Odin. Let's get into it. With that covered, we're now going to dive into the Aesir Vanir War. One day, a sorceress traversed the rainbow bridge, crossed into Asgard, and approached the impregnable gates and towering walls of the Aesir fortress. She introduced herself as Gullvieg, meaning "Lust for Gold. At first, the Aesir gods were apprehensive about letting Gullveig into their midst, for the conventional wisdom was that those who practiced sorcery weren't the most reputable or trustworthy sort, having a penchant for mischief, trickery, and sowing disorder. Despite this, Gullveig won them over with her charm and with her promises of wealth and power. She was a master of Seidr, a feminine sort of magic, which she harnessed to perform favors for various gods. However, as time went on, rather than improve lives, her magic was a source of strife, not betterment. Gods were resentful of other gods that gained advantage and prestige through Gullveig's arts, thinking them obtained unfairly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.