Creepy Classics
Ancient, medieval and early modern ghost stories re-told, followed by a short discussion of where they come from and what they might mean.
The Story of Glam and Grettir
An Icelandic farmer gets a new shepherd in to his haunted farm, but the cure may turn out to be worse than the disease... This story is adapted from Grettir's Saga, 32-35, and is followed by a discussion of revenants riding the roof, Yule and Christmas, and ancient Norse Hel.
The Story of the Vampire Arnold Paole
A Serbian village is plagued by an epidemic of vampires; medical doctor Flückinger wants to be skeptical, but can't deny the evidence of his own eyes... Based on Johannes Flückinger's 1732 report 'Visum et Repertum', this story is followed by a discussion of early modern Eastern European vampires and how their folklore made its way into Western Europe.
Content warning: Contains detailed discussion of dead bodies and brief references to stillbirth, neonatal death, and maternal mortality.
The Story of Olaf the Peacock and Killer Hrapp
Olaf's new homestead is plagued by an angry ghost, and his father seems to know something about it... From Laxdaela Saga, 10-24, this story is followed by a discussion of the medieval Icelandic undead, Viking and Christian burial practices, and cultural memory.
The Story of the Hero of Temesa
Euthymus the boxer comes across a weird ritual of human sacrifice at the coastal town of Temesa - why do the locals sacrifice a maiden to a monster every year? Based on Pausanias, Description of Greece, 6.6.7-11, this story is followed by a discussion of Greek history and folklore including human sacrifice in ancient Greece, the ancient Olympic Games, and the Delphic Oracle.
Content warning: brief references to sexual assault.
The Story of Marathon
The Athenian army fight and win a famous victory at Marathon, but Tolmis finds himself living the battle over again and again in an endless loop... This story is inspired by Pausanias, 1.32.3-5 and based partly on Herodotus, 6.112-117. It's followed by a discussion of the Battle of Marathon, battlefield ghosts, and the history of the site itself.
The Story of the Unidentified Flying Object
Rome is at war, and strange ships accompanied by men in shining white are seen in the sky... This story is inspired by Livy, History of Rome, 21.62.5 and 24.10.10, and is followed by a discussion including ancient UFOs, dream interpreters, and dream books.
The Story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
On New Year's Eve, a mysterious Green Knight rides into King Arthur's Christmastide feast and challenges Arthur and his knights to a deadly game... Adapted from the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this story is followed by a discussion including medieval Christmas, Green Men, and the history of Father Christmas - and exactly what colour robes he "traditionally" wore!
The Story of Erichtho’s Necromantic Rite
The night before battle, a nervous young officer consults a witch, who promises to raise the dead to prophesy for him... Adapted from Lucan, Civil War, 6.413-830, followed by a discussion of Roman witches, zombies, and a lengthy digression on horse rearing!
Content warning: The story is a lot gorier than usual, and there are references to suicide and to abortion and birth trauma in the commentary.
The Story of the Female Spirits
A young girl has a strange dream about a conversation between famous historical women, including her own mother, which takes a turn into the macabre towards the end... Based on the 1798 unpublished manuscript 'Ithuriel, the Angel of Truth, Thus Restateth an Event of the Heavens' by Jane Porter and an unknown co-author. Followed by a discussion about the history behind the text and the women featured; Mary Wollstonecraft, Lady Jane Grey, Aspasia, Sappho, and Boudicca.
Content warning: The commentary following the story discusses miscarriage, maternal and infant mortality (in some detail, especially on death in childbirth, and...
The Story of White Island
A group of strangers tell stories about the mysterious White Island (now called Snake Island, Ukraine) where the spirit of Achilles lives eternally, but they can't quite agree on the details... This story is based on Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.19.11-13, Arrian, Periplus of the Euxine Sea, 32-34, and Philostratus, On Heroes, 54.1-56.4. Followed by a discussion including Trojan War stories, ancient Greek hero cult, and conflicting folklore tales.
This episode is dedicated to the Ukrainian defence forces.
Content warning: war and warfare, including reference to the current conflict in Ukraine.
