The Return of the Horned God - Ronald Hutton

00:00 // Introduction
00:34 // Pagan Gods in Ancient and Medieval Europe
01:07 // The Romantic Movement and Changing Views on Nature
04:33 // Pan’s Rise in Popularity
08:19 // Pan as the Protector of Nature
10:41 // Pan and Religion: A Rival to Christianity
14:53 // Pan as a Symbol of Rebellion
25:22 // Pan and Sexuality
35:34 // Pan’s Evolution into the Horned God
36:36 // The Modern Pagan Revival
40:48 // Conclusion: A Cultural or Divine Figure?

Until the nineteenth century, the favourite ancient pagan gods in Western culture were those related to human qualities and activities. During that century, especially in Britain, attention switched to a horned divinity associated with the countryside and wild nature, usually personified as the Greek Pan. This lecture explores how and why this happened, and the impact on British culture, when the full subversive potential of this deity as a force for personal liberation became realised. It also shows how the image subsequently evolved from a classical god into an archetype.

This lecture was recorded by Ronald Hutton on 19th February 2025 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London.

Ronald is the Gresham Professor of Divinity.

He is also Professor of History at the University of Bristol and a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Historical Society, the Society of Antiquaries and the Learned Society of Wales.

[MickieU]

I don’t even know how I found this guy, but I’m glad it happened. I could listen to him talk all day.

[whitewokeweary]

What an absolutely delightful surprise. Never heard this guy. Sometimes the algorithm is just wonderful.

[robbieofdoom]

I'm a fan of Prof. Hutton, his talks and his books. I walk past him occasionally in Bristol. He's often heading towards the train station. I don't bother him, but I often end up thinking, "I wonder where that dude is bustling to and what he's doing today, I'm sure it's something unusual".

[atheistsgod]

Another fabulous lecture from Professor Hutton! May Mercury watch over him and continue to poke the algorthym to bring his delightful wit and words to those who need them.

[samanthacomer]

I can, and do, listen to this man for HOURS.

[louisemay]

Thank you Gresham, another fabulous lecture from the magnificent Prof Hutton.

[UnindictedCo-Conspirator]

Talk about saving a truly dreadful day! Hutton late night in Mississippi. It makes everything alright 💜

[lacrimassenzio]

The Wind in the willlows salvific apparition of Pan is till this day one of my favorite cottage core image.

[meko_oyasi]

Every lecture of Ronald Hutton is a gift for humanity.

[ProfessorDarkAcademia]

Saw the man in the thumbnail. Clicked it. No hesitation. I'll always have time for Ronald Hutton.

[jeremybaer]

I'd spend an afternoon in a tea shop listening to Professor Hutton recite poetry.

[solluna]

Thank you for this content..I’ve been connected to cernnous for awhile now, showing me dreams before they happen. I’ve seen myself with a horned snake wrapped around my right hand, gold torc around my left hand. He showed me my path of addiction by a bear ripping apart my chest, as well as showing me my family 5 years before I met them, by zooming into a deers eye. My family has been on death beds seeing relatives with deer horns on their head. I fully believe ❤🦌

[avalonkerr]

Wake up people, The professor is uploaded!

[jim-stacy]

Its always a ray of sunlight in a dark room to hear professor hutton lecture

[KyleMaxwell]

I don’t know what I expected but Professor Hutton lustily reciting Aleister Crowley’s ode to bisexuality wasn’t it. Bravo! 🙌

[pchabanowich]

Huge respect - Love, really - for you, Mr. Hutton! This is Divine!

[Marzipan-Beetle]

Reminding me of how much the child-me loved Herne popping up in Robin of Sherwood (a big tv show for many kids in 80s Britain)

[meijiturtle]

A brilliant lecture by Prof.Hutton.
I was introduced to Pan by his appearance at the conclusion of The Wind in the Willows. Subsequently I received a children's novel as a present around 1950 or 1951 in which Pan appeared. It was set on the north West coast of Scotland. I really must try and research its title and author.

[johnd]

Pans people as a young lad watching top of the pops in the early 70s were a delight I can tell you.

[MADSAHAD]

Now, Am I on the correct track. Cernunnos and Pan being somewhat similar, Cernunnos got pushed aside and almost forgotten due to the Roman Invasion and destruction of the Druid strongholds whereas Pan and the rest of the Greek pantheon was incorporated into the Roman pantheon more or less. It is surprising that Pan would have a stronger pull than Cernunnos on Cernunnos' homeland.