Veritas Antiqua

"Lightning flashes in the sky, while on Earth, the Moon trembles in fear." It sounds like an apocalypse, but this is a millennia-old Hittite myth. In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we trace a bilingual (Hattian and Hittite) ancient tablet to tell the story of the Moon God Kašku's fall from the sky. The terrifying wrath of the Storm God, the Moon's crash into a marketplace, a cosmic panic that no...

In this episode, we continue our "Lost Deity" series by analyzing the legend of Kamruşepa, the Luwian goddess of healing. Drawing from Hittite texts, we examine the societal panic that ensues when healing abandons the world, and the ancient rituals embedded within this myth. Topics include: Kamruşepa's equivalence with the Hatti deity Katahzipuri. "Analogy Magic": The meaning of the frozen river a...

Imagine waking up one morning. The herbs you know no longer heal. The words of sorcerers echo into the void. Your doctor, your protector, your medicine... is gone. In the ancient lands of Anatolia, when a goddess mounted her chariot and left, only despair remained. In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we investigate the mysterious legend of Kamruşepa, the Goddess of Health. Why did the magic break?...

You've heard the dramatic story of Telipinu's rage. But what lies hidden between the lines of this ancient legend? In this special analysis episode of Veritas Antiqua, we peel back the layers of the myth of the Vanishing God, Telipinu. Join our speakers as they discuss how a misplaced pair of shoes symbolized cosmic chaos, why the most powerful gods were rendered helpless, and how the fate of a ci...

What happens when an entire world freezes over with the rage of a god? A moment when fires die, fertility abandons the earth, and even the gods themselves are left helpless... In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we delve into one of the most dramatic legends of the Hittites: the story of the Vanishing God, Telipinu. Discover how a divine rage, sparked by a misplaced pair of shoes, brought all of l...

What happens to the cosmos when a god is defeated? When order itself is held captive by the scaled coils of chaos, from where can hope possibly arise? In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we unearth one of the darkest and bloodiest tales from Hittite mythology: The Legend of Illuyanka. We trace the narrative through two distinct, brutal versions of the story, each recounting the Storm God's despera...

Is a myth just a story? Or is it a mirror reflecting the rituals, beliefs, and history of an entire civilization? In this episode of Veritas Antiqua, we don't just tell the story of Illuyanka—we excavate it like archaeologists. You will meet the historical figures behind this powerful myth, from Kella the priest to Pihaziti the scribe, and bear witness to the duties and societal role of the sacred...

What if the most powerful forces governing your life—money, nations, human rights—only exist because we collectively agree to believe in them? In the first international episode of Veritas Antiqua's new series, "Mind Library," we dive deep into the world-changing ideas of Yuval Noah Harari's "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind." How did our species go from being an i...

We have heard the tragic and magnificent story of Silver. But what was the power that drove a mortal to defy the gods? Was it hubris, or a rightful quest for his birthright? In this commentary episode, we explore the deep themes behind the myth of Silver: the destructive anger of a fatherless son, the search for identity, and the questioning of divine justice. Join us as we discover the lessons wh...

Can an orphan who doesn't know he has the blood of gods flowing through his veins defy the lords of the heavens? In this episode, listen to the story of Silver, who, after learning the bitter truth of his parentage, transforms into a king on a path of revenge and self-discovery. Join us for the sorrowful and magnificent tale of Kumarbi's most unexpected weapon—a broken-hearted mortal who brought e...

In the previous episode, we listened to how Kumarbi's pawn, the god KAL, seized the kingship of the heavens. But what happens when a puppet becomes more powerful than its masters? How does hubris turn a victory into a disaster? In this commentary episode, we dissect the political intrigue behind the myth of KAL, the dangers of hubris, and the struggle of a creator against his own creation. Join us...

Can a pawn achieve what monsters could not? Can a puppet king overthrow the mighty Storm God, Teshub? In this episode, we delve into a tale of divine political intrigue—a coup d'état directed from the shadows by Kumarbi and Ea. Their new champion, the God KAL, rises to seize the throne. But power is an elixir that can poison even the most loyal of pawns. Discover how King KAL's hubris turns even h...

In our last episode, we heard the story of Hedammu, Kumarbi's monster born of the sea. But what does it tell us that the Goddess Ishtar defeated with cunning the very beast the gods could not overpower with brute force? In this follow-up analysis, we decipher the themes behind the Hedammu myth. We interpret the use of femininity as a weapon, the symbolism of insatiable desire and appetite, and how...

Kumarbi's thirst for revenge is unquenchable. After the stone giant, a new threat emerges, this time born from the sea itself: Hedammu, the giant serpent. In this episode, we explore another of Kumarbi's monstrous creations. When the gods are once again powerless, the goddess Ishtar must rely on her cunning, sensuality, and magic to confront a beast driven by insatiable hunger and lust. Join us fo...

In our last episode, we heard the terrifying story of Ullikummi. But what does this ancient epic truly tell us? In this follow-up analysis, we peel back the layers of the myth to interpret the psychology of revenge, the limits of brute force, and the ultimate triumph of forgotten wisdom. Join us as we explore the deeper meanings hidden behind this epic tale.

In our last episode, we witnessed Kumarbi's fall from grace. In this episode, we listen as his burning desire for revenge takes shape—a monstrous, unstoppable terror born of stone. Witness the rise of Ullikummi, a colossal monster nurtured in the depths of the sea, against whom the weapons of the gods are useless. From the desperation of the Storm God Teshub to the ancient secrets of the wise god...

Welcome to the brutal and cosmic drama of the Hurrian-Hittite gods. In this first episode, we journey back to the beginning, when the divine throne was a stage for betrayal and violent succession. Learn about Alalu, the first king in heaven, and how he was overthrown by his own cupbearer, Anu. But the cycle of violence doesn't end there. For nine years, Kumarbi, the son of the deposed king, serves...

Welcome to Veritas Antiqua. Journey with us into the depths of history and mythology as we uncover the forgotten stories, epic myths, and ancient secrets that shaped our world. From cosmic battles between gods to the whispers of lost civilizations, your mysterious narrator draws back the curtain of time to reveal the truths of our ancient past.