The Real Minotaur

To be clear, all of this is merely my opinion. How could I possibly know the evolution of a myth thousands of years ago? But that said, some myths have meanings, like false memories of a real event.

And at least as I see it, the meaning behind Theseus and the Minotaur is nothing less than the conquest and destruction of one of earth's oldest civilizations. It's an echo, being repeated over a thousand years later in the stories of the victors.

In my eyes, the Minotaur was real. And I hope you too come to understand that Theseus was not just his murderer, but also kind of his son.

This video was made possible thanks to our incredible Patreon subscribers: &pointer, adam lenk, Adrián GP, Akasha Yi, Alex Gewanter, Alex Papageorgiou, Alex The Magical Cat, Alexander Lee, Alexander Reilly, Alexandru Pîntea, Alf Einar Solberg, Alice LWatson, Ammobunny, Andres Rama, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew Beals, Andrew L, Anina Shaorandra, Antoine Cribellier, Audrey Brown, Austin Cousineau, bajr, Barrett, BattleGoat Studios, BeanoTheElder, Ben Hewitson, Benkei Paczek, Blaise, Bob Dai, Bradley Brown, Brenna and Peter, Brian Miller, Brian ONeel, Brian Perkins, Bryan Schmidt, Bullseye89, Catherine Berry, Chieftom, Chris, Christoph Hotep, Christopher Perrin-Porzondek, Christopher Simpkins, Cody Schneider, Cole Skelton, Colin Miskowitz, Colton Creasey, Connie, Cullen McFater, Curtis Shimamoto, Cynical Rhys, Daniel Sierra Matus, Daniel Tyler, Dario Gosu, David Badilotti, David James McConnell, David Shrimpton, David V, Dinotrakker, Douglas Danger Manley, Dykam, Edward Sykes, Einar Holmedal, Elsilan, Emma, Eric Floehr, Eugene Pakhomov, f1r3w4rr10r, fadingnebula, feo, Friedrich Hunstock, Gabe Sockie, Giulian Fava, Gregory Kintz, Hanyang, herman, Immanuel Manohar, JackWhoWanders, Jake Capoun, James Hoadley, Jamey Brady, Jan Vilhuber, Jay, Jenn Herron, Jeremy Impson, Jeremy Wheelis, Jessica Mayberry, jmoggr, John and Tanya Hug, John Goff, Jonathan Lonowski, Josh Hoppes, Juan Coronado, Julia, Julian Fiander, Justin Thomson, Kameron Stroud, Karol Pilat, Karthi Balasubramaniam, Kenny Coulter, Kyle Hammer, Kyle Hofer, Lady Sixa, larry82, Lars Flöer, Lars Sturm, Lee, Lepidus, Lexi, Lilith Berkana De' Anu, Lillian Mark, Lorentz, Louis Lenders, Luke Tomkus, Mad Sumac, Mark Sea, Matt, Matthew Campuzano, matthew joseph klein, Matthew Springer, Matthew Wallace, Melanie Sumner, Michael, Michael Amesse, Michael E Resseguie, Michael Reavey, Miguel Martínez Chapa, Mike Frysinger, Mondoria, Ms Tek, Muncorn, MysticCobra, Nancy Reid, Nathaniel Feldberg, Nick Grippo, NiordSir, NM, NoPantsMagicDance, Nuno Balbona Perez, Oliver Frommeier, Oliver 'Kannik' Bollmann, Pablo D Lopez, Paul Bartholomew, Peter Gravelle, Petr Doležal, Pjotr Bekkering, Pranav Maddula, Ricardo Machado, Robbie Mills, Robert Velten, Roger Hoffmore, Roger L. Basler de Roca, Ron Warris, Ronen Finegold, RustyJuiceTin, Ryan Breaker, S Heutink, Sam Collins, Sam Rossetti, Sam Wolski, Scotty From Marketing, Sean Dennis, Sean McCool, Sensen, Sethzard, Shaventreebeard, Shawn Wang Williams, Shikyo, Simon Bohnen, Simon Hannus, smaz ruby, Space_Chickun, Sriram Govindarajan, Starrylock, Steve Williamson, Svein Ove Aas, Tedd, Teo Cherici, Theo Davis, TheRmbomo, Thomas, Thomas Paris, Tibor Galbács, Tim Barrett, Tobias B, Traxys, Ubikwitus, Vítězslav Houžva, Viktor Lundell, Vitali Perchonok, Wes Mills, Whitefang, Will Mullins, Xellos, Xenonfrenzy, Ylva Trimonyte, Zach Preston, ZitronenLord, and ZZ. We love you guys!

Thanks for watching! You're clearly one of the good ones.

[RareEarthSeries]

I now realize that I say 9 men and 9 women, then just after 7 men and 7 women. This is because the myths differed on the number and I forgot I'd already used the nine. I am a fool. Support my Patreon anyway please.


Also I realize he plays Thor, this one is a different Hemsworth.

[Nyingmaba]

I usually dislike the approach of "oh its actually true, just in a different sense than you're thinking" but this was fascinating

[danielschein]

I wonder how many people watch these videos without noticing what a treat the ending credits page is. I’ve learned to always pause there to read it.

[michaelcherry]

I for one would love to start using the word "gams" again, but I think all I'd get is puzzled looks.
This story proves what Sir Terry Prachett wrote:
“The anthropologists got it wrong when they named our species Homo sapiens ('wise man'). In any case it's an arrogant and bigheaded thing to say, wisdom being one of our least evident features. In reality, we are Pan narrans, the storytelling chimpanzee.”
― Terry Pratchett, The Globe

[LiluBob]

Just a point of correction here, Ishtar is not the goddess of Sumer or the Sumerians, that would be Inanna, for whom Ishtar was later based upon by the Akkadians "... the first known ancient empire of Mesopotamia, succeeding the long-lived civilization of Sumer."

"Inanna[a] is the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, and fertility. She is also associated with sensuality, procreation, divine law, and political power. Originally worshipped in Sumer, she was known by the Akkadian Empire, Babylonians, and Assyrians as Ishtar[b] (and occasionally the logogram 𒌋𒁯). Her primary title was "the Queen of Heaven".

[dessertstorm]

"The Mythical Monster That Was Actually Metaphorical" probably wouldn't be a good video title

[RisingMooon]

You have such an amazing way of engaging storytelling. It's seriously impressive and I learn so much every time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making all of these brilliant videos. Rest in peace, Asterion.

[JonnoPlays]

Studying the chronology and development of religion is extremely fascinating. This was a cool way to explore the subject. It's important to understand that there is thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands of years of religion that come before all this. The religion of pre-history (before written records) is also generally the religion before farming when people were still hunter gatherers. The channel Crecganford is a great resource if you're looking for academic level material on this subject that is easy to understand as a layman.

[Demane]

If we can translate Linear A language, so much could be revealed. A frustrating point of history without it.

[jimmyisawkward]

Evan, you have such a magical knack for storytelling. Usually I don’t care for old mythology, but I sat and listened to this whole video with no lack of interest.

[JohnVance]

Congrats on hitting a million subs! I've always enjoyed your informative, non-hyped style that respects your viewers.

[Zahaqiel]

...Actually Moloch/Molech was probably not a god, but a particular sacrificial practice itself. There isn't evidence of a god matching the medieval perspective on Moloch outside of the medievalist art itself (which does not come from Carthage/Canaan/Tophet).

[specialkman]

This is one of my favorite episodes you've done. Really top notch story telling in this one

[LilFeralGangrel]

I have been obsessed with bronze age civilizations for as long as i can remember, and i have to say, this video left me very pleased. And i'm also happy to see other people who know the ridiculous amount of influence that Ishtar had and still has to this day.

[paul]

RE the word gams: In german, the Chamois, an alpine goat species, is called Gämse, derived from Gams. Hunters actually call it Gams or Gamswild

[kaysb]

I didn't think the day would come; a Rare Earth episode filmed in a location I've actually been. I didn't like Knossos Palace. Too obviously fake and constructed. But after watching this, I understand that the stories it tells are maybe more important than the location itself. Thank you.

[ZoroarkChampion]

I'm fascinated by everything you touch on in this video: the meaning of myths, the origins of gods, the practices of cultures long dead and almost forgotten, both totally alien and just as human as we are. Thank you for bringing this story Evan! Do you have any sources, or even just recommendations on what to read? I can't get enough of this!

[bromandude]

These pot edibles kicking in right on time

[dr.briandecker]

Man I’m so down for a bunch of videos exploring this part of human history. Love this, keep it up

[YBnormal]

Thank you for highlighting some of the most interesting aspects of our world. Your story about Remy to this day still helps me when I need to overcome myself. You are a treasure to humanity.