logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
35m 55s

Myth of the Minotaur: Half Man Half Bull

History Hit
About this episode

The myth of the Minotaur has endured thousands of years for good reason... it's hard to forget! Today, Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the story of King Minos of Crete, the monster in his maze, and the son of Athens that comes to kill it, thanks largely to the cunning of Princess Ariadne.


Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Charlotte Long.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARK

You can take part in our listener survey here.

Up next
Aug 21
The Darkest Scandal in Victorian Britain
Today we step into the shadowy world of W.T. Stead—a Victorian journalist whose life was as controversial as it was groundbreaking. Hear how he uncovered a sex scandal which shocked the nation, dabbled in the supernatural, and also… predicted the Titanic disaster (and ultimately, ... Show More
41m 31s
Aug 18
New York's Wildest Murder Case
This 1897 New York murder case that has it all - a villain, an incredibly useless police force, and a duck who saves the day. The incredible Dr Cat Byers (@heymorguegirl) joins Maddy and Anthony to tell this story.Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer ... Show More
38m 55s
Aug 14
Victorian Love Triangle Murder
Through the industrial fog of Victorian London, in one of the city's most notorious slums, a murder took place that shocked a nation.The Bermondsey Horror, as it was called at the time, centred around a young woman and her older partner, and a wealthy man who was lured to their h ... Show More
48m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
The Minotaur
Half man and half bull, the Minotaur is one of the most famous, and scariest, monsters of Greek mythology. The story goes that it was trapped in a great labyrinth beneath Knossos on the island of Crete and feasted on human flesh until it was slain by the hero Theseus with the hel ... Show More
50m 58s
Oct 2023
Murder After Murder, Generation After Generation; the Curse of the Tantalids and the Pelopidae
It's that time of year again... When we talk about the most horrifying stories from myth. Today, that cursed and murderous family, the Tantalids. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content!CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fi ... Show More
32m 49s
Apr 2025
The Truth About Medusa
You could be forgiven for thinking the Greek myth of Medusa has zero relevance to us today. Snake for hair?! But as you'll hear in today's episode, she's a woman who was vilified for her femininity and sexuality. She was literally cast out of society for it - into a cave, of all ... Show More
32m 7s
Aug 2015
Ep. #3- Was There A Real Labyrinth?
Is the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur just a bedtime story for morbid children or does it contain the kernels of real history? This week we dive into this classic myth and discover how it might hold clues about a real conflict between ancient bronze-age civilizations. Tune in t ... Show More
44m 37s
Oct 2024
The Legend of Osiris, King of the Dead
The story of Osiris and how he became King of the Dead is a gruesome tale and one of the most famous legends from Egyptian mythology. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Campbell Price to explore the myth which culminates in a divine and bloody battle between the God of Chaos Set and ... Show More
46m 27s
Aug 2024
SPRING HEELED JACK – The Leaping Terror of London
Spring-Heeled Jack - A terrifying urban legend of Victorian London, Spring-Heeled Jack was known for his inhuman leaps, glowing red eyes, and attacks on unsuspecting victims. Discover more TERRIFYING podcasts at http://eeriecast.com/ Follow Carman Carrion!  https://www.facebook.c ... Show More
42m 23s
Oct 2024
New York Morgue's Dark Secrets
The unclaimed dead of New York City's streets and rivers were brought to the New York Morgue in the second half of the nineteenth century. This history is full of dark, sad stories and buried secrets. Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney are joined by Cat Byers who is a writer and h ... Show More
54m 35s
Aug 2024
The Sirens
The word 'Sirens' conjures up many images, possibly of beautiful mermaid-like creatures luring sailors to their watery deaths. These ancient Greek mythical creatures, linked to the Queen of the Underworld Persephone, feature in well known myths such as Jason and the Argonauts and ... Show More
39m 58s
Mar 2025
The Myth of Aspasia, Woman, Politician, Philosopher, Wh*re
Aspasia was an intelligent, independent and influential woman at the heart of Classical Athenian politics. She was also a sex worker. This is the instagram reel this episode is 'responding' to. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes ... Show More
39m 44s
Dec 2024
396: Greek Myths: Hades, Too
💀Hades is taking the long way home💀 After dropping Persephone off in the world of the humans, Hades makes the long walk back down to his palace at the heart of his realms, giving us a tour of the greek underworld and all the things that creep within. 😈 The Creature: Bwca An el ... Show More
49m 46s