I have recently fallen in love with this program. It's on the History Channel.
Does anybody else watch it?

If you're into mythology, then you'll enjoy the show.

I've only caught it a few times. Like all of the history channel's ancient programs, they tend to leave out major arguments and sensationalize things, and thell you "the truth." That said, I do find the show very entertaining.

I was just watching the episode on Theseus. I had done my final paper for Greek history on establishing Theseus as an Athenian national hero, so I know quite a bit about the hero. The things that history channel telks you are "the truth" are just what some scholars think, and they don't usually even use mainstream arguments, just the coolest sounding ones, which annoys me some. But it's TV, what are you going to do? It's not like it stops me from watching.

(Oh, I'm a senior classics major, by the way, looking to study classical history in grad school, so that's why I know stuff about stuff.)

They're also not afraid to talk about how Christians altered the beliefs of others by finding the smallest similarities in order to convert them into Christianity.
For instance, I was watching an episode about Thor the other day, and towards the end they were saying how only two Viking people, a man and a women, would come out of a tree. The Christians saw this similar to the story of Adam and Eve, and decided to tell all of the Norse Pagans that their beliefs were but a precursor to Christianity.

I'm interested in the evolution of religion, so I find the show amazing.

Christianity used a lot of pagan beliefs as basis to convert people. That's why many religeous holidays are placed around many pegan celebratory days.

I really like the show it's done very well. The graphics add to the fantastic appeal of the show.

I've only seen a few episodes so far, but I really love this show. I love mythology, so its great to have a show that is focused on mythology. So far it seems to be primarily interested in Greek and Norse mythology, but I hope that it expands to include mythology from other parts of the world as well.

Apeiron - I like learning how different religions influence each other as well. It can be really interesting how religions incorporate bits and pieces of other religions into their own. I usually study more Asian examples, but there are lots of instances like that in Christianity too.

Clarise - I agree that the History Channel does seem to sensationalize "the truth" sometimes. While a more balanced presentation of history would be nice, it is nice to hear more from some of the underrepresented fringe opinions about their version of history. The mainstream can overlook some aspects of history sometimes, so it can be nice to hear how some overlooked details could lead to a very different idea of what actually happen.

Originally Posted by nette

Christianity used a lot of pagan beliefs as basis to convert people. That's why many religeous holidays are placed around many pegan celebratory days.

I really like the show it's done very well. The graphics add to the fantastic appeal of the show.

I know. That's partly why I'm against the religion, because what they've done was pretty much lying, and I've always found lying to be a sin. But that's my own belief, and my beliefs are a whole 'nother Oprah. = w=

Yeah the old church at least what I know of Catholosism is highly corupt. But that's getting off topic here. The church isn't perfect but it's what people make of themselves that helps. We're moving into bad times and it's the worse place a person can be without any faith or stable religion to back themselves apon.

Anyhoo back on topic.. I'm watching the Thor episode now. I love Norse mythology :) Having Nowegian blood I make an extra effort to learn more about this mythology than some of the others that are more commonly known.

Originally Posted by nette

Christianity used a lot of pagan beliefs as basis to convert people. That's why many religeous holidays are placed around many pegan celebratory days.

I've also heard that the names used for our days are related to the Norse gods.
ie. Thursday = Thor

Anywho, I've never seen the show before. But now I'm curious. I need to look up when they play it. :3