EPISODE · Oct 12, 2023 · 22 MIN
Episode 9: Sports and Athletics
from Myths and Muses: A Mythik Camps Podcast · host Plato Learning
The history of sports is deeply woven into the stories humanity has told, from its earliest days. In this episode, we look at the mythological tie-ins of the Olympic Games, how wrestling shows up in many ancient stories, and a particularly wild sport from Minoan civilization. We also explore some of the most popular modern sports -- and how some of those have ancient origins, too! This episode's interview features Anna Willenbrock, a Camp Mythik and Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn Counselor who has a deep love of athletics! She's done everything from discus to sword-fighting, and she wants demigods to hear that athleticism can be for everyone. If you'd like to submit a story or artwork to be featured on Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!). [Transcript for Episode 9] ----more---- Stuff to Read: The Olympic Games: The official modern Olympic guide to the ancient games The history of the games from World History Encyclopedia A look at the Olympic Games from the Metropolitan Museum of Art More on bull-leaping: Bulls and bull-leaping in the Minoan world Bull-Leaping in Bronze Age Crete The Mystery of Minoan Bull-Leaping More on other ancient sports: Viking Games and Sports The Great Wrestling Matches of Myth Wrestling in Mythology: Gilgamesh vs Enkidu Stuff to Watch: Our YouTube Playlist for Episode 9: Featuring an illustrated history of sports, several looks at the ancient Olympics, more on the epic of Gilgamesh, and some modern-day bull-related sports! Cool Images: Ancient stadium in Olympia, Greece: Olympic Boxers, c. 550 BCE (The Cleveland Museum of Art) Prize amphora showing horse-racing, c. 510 BCE (The Met) Heracles wrestling Triton (from theoi.com) Heracles wrestling Antaeus, c. 150 BCE Ullr on skis with a bow, 11th century: Ullr on skis with his bow, 18th century: The Bull-Leaping Fresco from the Great Palace at Knossos, Crete, c. 1600-1450 BCE: Minoan Bull-Leaper statue, c. 1500 BCE: Minoan gold ring showing a man leaping over a bull, c. 1400 BCE:
What this episode covers
The history of sports is deeply woven into the stories humanity has told, from its earliest days. In this episode, we look at the mythological tie-ins of the Olympic Games, how wrestling shows up in many ancient stories, and a particularly wild sport from Minoan civilization. We also explore some of the most popular modern sports -- and how some of those have ancient origins, too! This episode's interview features Anna Willenbrock, a Camp Mythik and Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn Counselor who has a deep love of athletics! She's done everything from discus to sword-fighting, and she wants demigods to hear that athleticism can be for everyone. If you'd like to submit a story or artwork to be featured on Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!). [Transcript for Episode 9] ----more---- Stuff to Read: The Olympic Games: The official modern Olympic guide to the ancient games The history of the games from World History Encyclopedia A look at the Olympic Games from the Metropolitan Museum of Art More on bull-leaping: Bulls and bull-leaping in the Minoan world Bull-Leaping in Bronze Age Crete The Mystery of Minoan Bull-Leaping More on other ancient sports: Viking Games and Sports The Great Wrestling Matches of Myth Wrestling in Mythology: Gilgamesh vs Enkidu Stuff to Watch: Our YouTube Playlist for Episode 9: Featuring an illustrated history of sports, several looks at the ancient Olympics, more on the epic of Gilgamesh, and some modern-day bull-related sports! Cool Images: Ancient stadium in Olympia, Greece: Olympic Boxers, c. 550 BCE (The Cleveland Museum of Art) Prize amphora showing horse-racing, c. 510 BCE (The Met) Heracles wrestling Triton (from theoi.com) Heracles wrestling Antaeus, c. 150 BCE Ullr on skis with a bow, 11th century: Ullr on skis with his bow, 18th century: The Bull-Leaping Fresco from the Great Palace at Knossos, Crete, c. 1600-1450 BCE: Minoan Bull-Leaper statue, c. 1500 BCE: Minoan gold ring showing a man leaping over a bull, c. 1400 BCE:
NOW PLAYING
Episode 9: Sports and Athletics
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m