Dragons: A History - Ronald Hutton

Why have people believed in dragons, and what were they actually? Is there a difference between Western and Eastern dragons, in a global perspective, and if so, why?

Has the Western attitude to dragons changed in the modern era? Did Christianity give rise to a different idea of what a dragon should be? These are the questions that this lecture sets out to answer.

This lecture was recorded by Ronald Hutton on 14th February 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

Ronald is Gresham Professor of Divinity.

He is also Professor of History at the University of Bristol.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[johnnzboy]

Professor Hutton is unable to give an unengaging lecture. What a treat that these lectures are free to watch!

[CKNate]

This guy is a treasure. Thanks for this terrific presentation.

[draconity]

I would love an entire lecture series on dragons and dragon myths. Just a comprehensive dive into this stuff. I want to know absolutely everything he knows. It's so hard to find that information.

[talanigreywolf]

Not so much as reverence but cautious respect for Coyote the trickster. Apache here and taught by my Grandfather. Ya'ta'hay!

[TomFynn]

"Noble dragons don't have friends. The nearest they can get to the idea is an enemy who is still alive." - Terry Pratchett, "Guards, Guards"

[lindasmith]

I wish I could have had this gentleman as a college prof. I could listen to him all day!

[brandontaylor]

I was surprised you didn't mention Tiamat when talking about Leviathan

[MelissaThompson]

I thoroughly enjoy Prof. Hutton's lectures, interviews, cozy chats, whatever.

[davidchurch]

Ivor the Engine's dragon was very nice and friendly! He was Welsh.

[MelissaThompson]

To be fair, Pernese dragons are specifically NOT Earth dragons. To give Ms. McCaffery proper credit....

[imzadiwhite]

You missed the Welsh dragons. Which is one of the few Western dragons that fulfills a protective role.

[psantini]

This was tremendous fun! I think the cryptozoologist's theory about dragons with hydrochloric acid in their stomachs, therefore being prone to exploding, may have been borrowed by Terry Pratchett for his Discworld dragons.

[guillemclapes]

Thank you very much! Always enjoy Professor Hutton’s lectures

[nickoforesta]

This was fantastic. Best hour I've spent on youtube in a number of years. Thank you Gresham College and the incredible Professor Hutton.

[Redmenace]

Has everyone seen, "Dragonslayer" from 1981? In my top 20 All-time films.

[Namaerica]

Thank you so much Professor Hutton. Your knowledge is wide and deep…like the habitation of some dragons. The presentation is amusing and riveting.

[KonguZya]

I will listen to Ronald Hutton speak about anything.

[GlassEyedDetectives]

Another wonderful talk from Professor Hutton, thank you. i love his delivery and the topics he presents to hopefully a wide audience. Along with all the possible cultural connections he puts forth around Dragon-Lore, i also think that the amygdala or R-Complex within most sophisticated animals, including us- humans, is the core element that then generates all the behavioral characteristics we recognize as 'reptilian'., for example; Alligators, as far as reptiles go, are excellent mothers to their own offspring yet nightmares to everybody familiar anyone?

[donnadees]

On a hike with our little daughter of 3or4, we crossed paths with a little snake spitting his tongue - our little daughter said he spit fire. Odd coincidence.

[MuscleQween]

Wow! I am from Mid Wales and I remember being told the story about the Gwiber growing up. I was looking into it just the other day. The mountain was Moel Bentyrch