Cave paintings are prehistoric paintings and drawings that were created on cave walls and ceilings, some of which date back to as early as 40,000 years ago. These paintings are found in caves all over the world, although the most famous examples are located in France and Spain. Collectively called parietal art (from the Latin …
From Ragnar Lothbrook and Erik the Red to Leif Erikson and Cnut the Great, these famous Vikings are recognized as the fiercest warriors in our history and they still capture the imagination worldwide. While many common perceptions about Vikings – such as horned helmets – are fantasy, the reality of their deep and complex religious …
The banshee is a supernatural being in Irish folklore. She is often depicted as a female spirit or fairy who appears as an omen or harbinger of death. The belief in banshees has been an integral part of Irish folklore and mythology for centuries, adding an air of mystery and superstition to the tales of …
Medusa is a famous monster from Greek mythology. This fearsome creature with a head of snakes and the power to turn men to stone has been a recurring feature of popular fiction and, in modern consciousness, one of the staples of Greek myth. But there is more to Medusa than her monstrous gaze. Her history …
Valkyries are powerful female mythical beings from Norse mythology. They were considered handmaidens of Odin, the All-Father and chief god in Norse mythology. Valkyries were often depicted as fierce and beautiful women, often riding winged horses and wearing armor. They were skilled warriors in their own right, and some stories suggest they would also join …
Though the Norse pantheon is vast, many of its members remain somewhat obscure. Norse myths were transferred orally in the pre-Christian era, and in those centuries before the written word, stories and their characters tended to be lost, changed, or supplanted by something that came later. So, while names like Odin or Loki are familiar …