Good lord this guy is enthusiastic about classical mythology. I could listen to him talk for hours. Why the BBC hasn't given him a series is beyond me. Many thanks to U of Birmingham for uploading this fascinating lecture. Cheers from the USA. :)
Oh, such fortunate people you are over there! You may be very proud of him and your Professor to his students as well. No place to sit remained in the room! This lecture is what I will see more and more times. Thanks for this upload!
I second your reaction. A professor perpetually pressed for time and worried about his limited ability to pass on the things he knows is pure beauty, and the antithesis of the people who just fill time.
@@PingPing104 And highly intelligent, knowledgeable, eloquent, humorous, and, most tellingly for the Beeb, is guilty of the cardinal sin of freethinking!
I always be remembered of my grandfathers and grandmothers, when in summertime going to my root villages and specially in the night time, sitting all around the table outside under the big yard tree, listening to all those great stories and myths the elder of the family and relatives come to join ,speak, share with joy , laugh even sadness giving the best of them to be more trustful and amusing that could be...!!! Unforgettable...!!!
This is one of those rare people that is a born teacher. That childlike enthusiasm he shows when talking with such fun about something he must've been studying for decades is the hallmark of a true master.
This was the most insightful and invigorating lecture that I have ever heard. To be captivated by both topic and speaker is an absolute joy. Prof Ken Dowden brightened my day beyond belief ... and yet my day was not that bad to begin with! This is wonderful and should be heard by all who have any interest in history and myth. The intersection and dissection of such is truly remarkable. It is amazing that is reframes the more recent books or Myths; the holy books of the newer religions of the last couple thousand years. Just brilliant!
Fascinating! Want it or not we live in the times of globalization, I am 70 years old and I am ever so grateful to the professor for such lovely presentation. knowledge at my finger tips at 6 in the morning in my own house on my Motorola somewhere in the USA. Love mythology, I come from the island of Aphrodite the beautiful Cyprus.
Simply present invention mandra is Tamil language purely one second you all surendr..to me..I am chef cruise ship I know mythology excellent my strength we not show you we hiding behind the world.. because I say I am the best rest of world is nothing with you all happy new achive to learn God language purely one..called Hindu religion Tamil language... science format PDF high resolution images available until you get power of attorney general...
Yeah sadly for the Europeans. The only surviving ancient civilisation exists in India now, that still follows polytheism like Greeks, Egyptians who later converted to Abrahamic religions
@@koteswar009 Don't forget the Chinese & also the Japanese/ Koreans influenced by Chinese culture, & Southeast Asia which still believes in the spirits of nature of their primordial jungles if not national pantheons.
In the USA we worship Jesus and the Almighty Dollar, but there is also a host of lesser deities worshipped by local barbarian tribes, including St. Donald of Mar-a-Lago.
Even I want renaissance works in my house, especially depicting Greek mythology! So beautiful! Also I'm learning the beautiful language Demotic Greek. Amazing music from the Greeks! In terms of architecture and symmetry the Greeks made amazing temples and housing, I can't get enough of it.
Haden't "Greek" mythology but only Pelasgian-Illyrian. "Greeks" was just the priest whose grab the myths. The word "Greek" came from Illyrians: "Graii" Aristotle"Meteorologica" XIV
I had a teacher on art history. He could talk for HOURS non stop, describing funny details we although didn't need to know, but it was extremely enjoyable.
Dr. Dowen is a bright scholar with a great sense of humor. Delightful. Hector the Troyan was my first love. I cried when the Iliad describes his funeral. Excellent conference. Thanks
I loved this. So enthusiastic and informative. With the reconfiguration of the OU and the lack of intellectual courses for people who want to continue learning but can't afford to because they already have a degree, more universities should post such material. Take down some of the promotional videos about Birmingham student life and put some real content - such as this video. This lecture is a far greater advert than loads of pap on the uni bar and playing about on campus. Thanks.
Fascinating! Professor Dowden blends the history of ancient Greece with that of ancient India, like an artist. How much of it is history, and how much is imagination is another story. He's a powerful storyteller.
Good show. Never knew a presentation with such amount of numerals can be so light and delightful. I was ÄIMÄNKÄKENÄ, which is an old finnish word that means a sort of flabberghastedish..
Video of a wonderful lecture at a university in Birmingham; a city, a university, a professor who without youtube, I would never have achieved my (self granted) classics degree!! Many thanks to the U of B for posting these things, for old(er) Americans who only went to USA state colleges.
I am utterly admirable and out breathing for ancient Greek culture and I cannot deny that the professor is truly captivating with his explanation of this maravellous topic. Greetings from Perú.
Best myth to understand a bit of the connection of ancient cultures and the Indo-European is Jason & the Argonauts with the Golden Fleece. They visit even settled in the Black Sea area.
Love his presentation and his personality exuberant way to present this topic of mythology, intelegent very instructional. What a love for history and enthusiastic way to explain it.
I've always loved mythology. In these disturbing pandemic times, there's nothing more soothing than a few doses of mythology. Such an electrifying lecture. Please upload more. Many thanks 🙏I am from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is part of Ramayana, Mahabharatha. I wonder why he didnt speak of the much older epic Ramayana. These epics mentioned geographical details of middle east to Lanka, parts beyond current India.
I really enjoyed this lecture and presenter! His passion is evident and entralling! "...and then it moved on to quantum mechanics and I don't understand anything anymore." Relatable 3:21 A Monty Python reference! Love it
24:24- “The warriors of epic are extremely troubled people...” - Professor, if you think they were “extremely troubled”, you ought to meet my Greek family: loads of material for epic composition there...
Absolutely splendid! This professor is a master! As a Greek I love mythology and regret that it actually went "out of fashion." I think that it opens the doors of our perception and broadens our imagination.
While on the one hand this gentleman has the gift of the spoken word, on the other his enthusiasm is contagious, I could listen to him for hours. That said, and aware that one hour will just barely scratch the surface, it is my understanding that mythology served as an efficient mnemonic device. Take Hercules and the Hydra, where one head is cut off and two grow in its' place. This may be a cautionary tale for farmers in a delta preparing for flood season - if you dam a river, when the waters come the water will flow from both sides of the new dam, rendering it useless. Hydra = water, doesn't get any more obvious than that. Take the Muses, daughters of Chronos god of time and Mnemosyne goddess of memory. Time + memory = the inspirations/arts of man. Three muses of poetry, two of theater, one of dance, one of history, one of music, then Urania - Muse of astronomy and mother of all sciences. Looking up at the night sky triggered the methodical observation of all of nature. This is abstract stuff, sophisticated concepts presented in an easy to remember manner, in a society where most people did not yet know how to read and write.
@@mmmoendo well we’re talking tens of thousands of years of oral history before the written word…those stories did not appear overnight just like we as the human species didn’t just pop up with built cities and kingdoms…so stretching it is the right word to use and a good way to think about mythology…
I want to imagine that he is speaking to an empty room because I cannot understand how there can’t be anyone that wouldn’t be chuckling and enjoying this so much…
Mythologians who wrote Mahabharat mythological epic were so developed that they mentioned more than 500 astronomical observations which were possible to happen only before 6550 BC....😃😃
This man didn't speak the scientific facts from Mahabharata but loosely connected it to Greek stories still trying to highlight Greeks as its his expertise. They should get an Indian scholar in Sanskrit who can explain Indian epics. My Sanskrit high school teacher in India explained very well. This Prof said they knew art of war, peace and were in new stone age, neolithic age but how can it be when Mahabharata has numerous metallic weapons 😀😀😀
S - “I pity the century that will not have Greeks” - Nero, Roman Emperor. --- “The planets will grow old, arthropods will inherit the earth, the multiverse will implode and all hope of life will forever be extinguished - but the Greeks, the Greeks will always be around...” - My Uncle Aristokles (who runs the souvlaki joint a few blocks down from my place). ADDENDUM: Last week he fired his short-order cook, Demosthenes, for disagreeing with him on this point, but I am happy to report, has since re-hired him.
31:29 Does he know archaeologists found that tsunami drowned Dwaraka city of Krishna under water in western India? Can he connect mythology to reality?
Mythology is a probable reconstruction of historical events in a way that fascinates the human mind. But it is different from History in that the latter deals strictly with historical data for what it is, without any intention to evoke fascination.
Nice lecture but greeks in greece go back way further than the 1500bc myceanian greeks, minoans date back too 3500bc and they had mythology in full practice there too.
Yes, because its age of Rig Veda of ancient India, oldest world composition that has battle of 10 kings and the losers spread to west if India far to Greece, Eastern Europe and have similarities with Indian stories
![[UA] Team Vitality проти NAVI | IEM Cologne 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wttO1zVRTC0/mqdefault.jpg)
Good lord this guy is enthusiastic about classical mythology. I could listen to him talk for hours. Why the BBC hasn't given him a series is beyond me. Many thanks to U of Birmingham for uploading this fascinating lecture. Cheers from the USA. :)
Was lucky enough to study at Birmingham between 1996-99, and very much enjoyed Ken's lectures, and his charismatic delivery and sense of humour.
Oh, such fortunate people you are over there! You may be very proud of him and your Professor to his students as well. No place to sit remained in the room! This lecture is what I will see more and more times. Thanks for this upload!
I second your reaction. A professor perpetually pressed for time and worried about his limited ability to pass on the things he knows is pure beauty, and the antithesis of the people who just fill time.
He's a white, middle-aged male and most-likely married. That's why the BBC won't go near him.
@@PingPing104 And highly intelligent, knowledgeable, eloquent, humorous, and, most tellingly for the Beeb, is guilty of the cardinal sin of freethinking!
I sincerely doubt anyone will be as enthusiastic about lectures concerning us in 2000 years. Bravo sir. Well done.
If there's truth to how our point in history is taught then the amount of propaganda alone would make an historians mind whizz left and right
I pray for UoB to put more lectures by this man online.
I always be remembered of my grandfathers and grandmothers, when in summertime going to my root villages and specially in the night time, sitting all around the table outside under the big yard tree, listening to all those great stories and myths the elder of the family and relatives come to join ,speak, share with joy , laugh even sadness giving the best of them to be more trustful and amusing that could be...!!! Unforgettable...!!!
Gosh a free-thinking, eloquent, highly intelligent, hugely knowledgeable academic with a brilliant sense of humour! Has he still got a job?
Demetrio , - He is not incorrect. You are incorrect in saying he is incorrect.
His demeanor and enthusiasm is addicting, why can't I find more of his lectures?
This is one of those rare people that is a born teacher. That childlike enthusiasm he shows when talking with such fun about something he must've been studying for decades is the hallmark of a true master.
his jokes where hilarious, everyone there were so uptight
Well, at least there were quiet nervous giggles that were audible amongst them.
It's cause they are British lol.
I was thinking the laughs weren't audible because there's no mic in the audience. There had to be some laughs through that
everyone was...
It's England, laughter is internal.
This was the most insightful and invigorating lecture that I have ever heard. To be captivated by both topic and speaker is an absolute joy. Prof Ken Dowden brightened my day beyond belief ... and yet my day was not that bad to begin with! This is wonderful and should be heard by all who have any interest in history and myth. The intersection and dissection of such is truly remarkable. It is amazing that is reframes the more recent books or Myths; the holy books of the newer religions of the last couple thousand years. Just brilliant!
One of the best lecture I've ever had. Hats off for his curiosities regarding ancient Greek mythology
Fascinating! Want it or not we live in the times of globalization, I am 70 years old and I am ever so grateful to the professor for such lovely presentation. knowledge at my finger tips at 6 in the morning in my own house on my Motorola somewhere in the USA. Love mythology, I come from the island of Aphrodite the beautiful Cyprus.
"Mythology scrapes at the fundamentals of our psychology." That's what you call a hook. I'm all in.
Well, do I have a surprise for you. Come and see, said the Siren.
@@discoveringthegardenofeden7882 is this another video? Can you link it please?
@@discoveringthegardenofeden7882 women today.. the sirens' parallel..
Come to see! To see what??
Simply present invention mandra is Tamil language purely one second you all surendr..to me..I am chef cruise ship I know mythology excellent my strength we not show you we hiding behind the world.. because I say I am the best rest of world is nothing with you all happy new achive to learn God language purely one..called Hindu religion Tamil language... science format PDF high resolution images available until you get power of attorney general...
"I pity the century, that will not have Greeks." Nero, Roman Emperor.
That is an extraordinary sentence by Nero...
Yeah sadly for the Europeans. The only surviving ancient civilisation exists in India now, that still follows polytheism like Greeks, Egyptians who later converted to Abrahamic religions
@@koteswar009 Don't forget the Chinese & also the Japanese/ Koreans influenced by Chinese culture, & Southeast Asia which still believes in the spirits of nature of their primordial jungles if not national pantheons.
In the USA we worship Jesus and the Almighty Dollar, but there is also a host of lesser deities worshipped by local barbarian tribes, including St. Donald of Mar-a-Lago.
@MendTheWorld your bigotry is showing
Even I want renaissance works in my house, especially depicting Greek mythology! So beautiful! Also I'm learning the beautiful language Demotic Greek. Amazing music from the Greeks! In terms of architecture and symmetry the Greeks made amazing temples and housing, I can't get enough of it.
the Greek sculpture is also amazing, look up the bronze Posiden they found at bottom of the sea.
This is easily the best lecture I watched on YT about Greek mythology!
Haden't "Greek" mythology but only Pelasgian-Illyrian.
"Greeks" was just the priest whose grab the myths.
The word "Greek" came from Illyrians:
"Graii"
Aristotle"Meteorologica" XIV
@@guritarasi8732 But the greeks called themselves hellenes not greeks. The romans called them greeks.Also stop believing what Hoxha told you
@@guritarasi8732 μαϊντανε πάλι εδώ; Σταμάτα γιατί γελοιοποίησε.
@@alexandroslazaridis9318
So what you are saying is, Hoxha wrote Aristo's Meteorologica?
@@guritarasi8732 And Indians called them Yavanas
It's good to see someone so excited about what he teaches. Love it!
Amazingly captivating style this person has to presentate, love it! Many thanks for uploading, and greetings from Finland.
Fascinating, illuminating, informative and entertaining. The epitome of everything my teachers weren't.
I hope someone gave him the Lego scriptorium at some point. He's earned it, and I can't think that many other people would feel more delight in it.
I had a teacher on art history. He could talk for HOURS non stop, describing funny details we although didn't need to know, but it was extremely enjoyable.
Dr. Dowen is a bright scholar with a great sense of humor. Delightful.
Hector the Troyan was my first love. I cried when the Iliad describes his funeral. Excellent conference. Thanks
What a delightful fellow, I would love to watch his lectures live
I loved this. So enthusiastic and informative. With the reconfiguration of the OU and the lack of intellectual courses for people who want to continue learning but can't afford to because they already have a degree, more universities should post such material. Take down some of the promotional videos about Birmingham student life and put some real content - such as this video. This lecture is a far greater advert than loads of pap on the uni bar and playing about on campus. Thanks.
this might be the best lecture I ever heard, either personally or online. Bravo!
Professor Ken Dowden is wonderful. Really enjoying his lecture. Thanks for sharing.
Well done mate! "He says they've already got one!". Love his sense of humor.
Glorious presentation! More of this man please
This is so precious! Please upload more - and thank you for sharing it.
Fabulous, outstanding lecture! Bravo!
This man is in love with history! I love it!
Mythology
😬😁
I'm so excited for university, I hope my lecturers are this passionate :)
A pure delight. A great many thanks.
Brilliant lecture, Dr Dowen`s enthusiasm for the subject is infectious!! :)
Fascinating! Professor Dowden blends the history of ancient Greece with that of ancient India, like an artist. How much of it is history, and how much is imagination is another story.
He's a powerful storyteller.
What a joy to listen to this man, omg, such passion, what a delight to listen and learn..... Thank you so much. :)
i love his manic chaotic energy
Good show.
Never knew a presentation with such amount of numerals can be so light and delightful.
I was ÄIMÄNKÄKENÄ, which is an old finnish word that means a sort of flabberghastedish..
36:45 someone get this man legos!!! His joy over a miniature quill is adorable!
As a father of lego fanatic son who likes to correct me it its 'lego' not 'legos' I am compelled to do the same :)
Video of a wonderful lecture at a university in Birmingham; a city, a university, a professor who without youtube, I would never have achieved my (self granted) classics degree!! Many thanks to the U of B for posting these things, for old(er) Americans who only went to USA state colleges.
As an amateur of Mythology, I'd pay in gold for a chance to pick this man's brains for a couple of hours.
Loved his presentation- quirky and very informative and interesting!
One of best lecture on line I've ever seen. May Greek gods take care of him
Ancient Greeks believed in Holy Trinity.Chaos Gaia Eros.
I don't care what he is teaching (ish), I want to go on a course ran by this guy. That was such fun!
"Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool." - Voltaire
Refreshing and delightful. Thank you so much.
I am utterly admirable and out breathing for ancient Greek culture and I cannot deny that the professor is truly captivating with his explanation of this maravellous topic. Greetings from Perú.
What a great lecture! Ken Dowden is passionate about his subject and it shows!
Thank you for sharing
Brilliant lecture. The enthusiasm is much appreciated!
What a great professor
Best myth to understand a bit of the connection of ancient cultures and the Indo-European is Jason & the Argonauts with the Golden Fleece. They visit even settled in the Black Sea area.
This is an intellectual of our days , one of the rare ones. S pleasure to hear him .
what a marvelous guy
Love his presentation and his personality exuberant way to present this topic of mythology, intelegent very instructional. What a love for history and enthusiastic way to explain it.
..tally ho ol' chap !!...BEST presentation EVER on this SO fascinating and relevant subject....many thanx ol' boy. !!
I need to watch this many times. Fantastic. He reminds me of my Classic teacher at school, she was and still is, a brilliant teacher even in her 80s.
I majored in Liberal Studies. Every day was such a pleasure. We can learn soo much by the writings of the past.
this lecture is wonderful!!!
Is Stephen Fry-esque a word to describe this man? I love it
Its Perfect. Stephen's book on the myths is excellent
Yeah I had the same thought.
I'd say he's more like Terry Jones who sadly passed away not too long ago.
Yes! I keep expecting him to say something ridiculous about balloons or something.
I've always loved mythology. In these disturbing pandemic times, there's nothing more soothing than a few doses of mythology. Such an electrifying lecture. Please upload more. Many thanks 🙏I am from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is part of Ramayana, Mahabharatha. I wonder why he didnt speak of the much older epic Ramayana. These epics mentioned geographical details of middle east to Lanka, parts beyond current India.
If you play it at 1.75 speed he becomes even _more_ enthusiastic and passionate about mythology
Wonderfully enthusiastic and knowledgeable - thank you Prof
What a superb lecture - and what a more superb lecturer!
I really enjoyed this lecture and presenter! His passion is evident and entralling!
"...and then it moved on to quantum mechanics and I don't understand anything anymore." Relatable
3:21 A Monty Python reference! Love it
The Dr Who of historical rationale made his mark here with a wonderful lecture on just about everything.
24:24- “The warriors of epic are extremely troubled people...” - Professor, if you think they were “extremely troubled”, you ought to meet my Greek family: loads of material for epic composition there...
Absolutely fascinating (:
Absolutely splendid! This professor is a master!
As a Greek I love mythology and regret
that it actually went "out of fashion." I think that it opens the doors of our perception and broadens our
imagination.
Most enjoyable. Love the speaker. Great stuff!😎
While on the one hand this gentleman has the gift of the spoken word, on the other his enthusiasm is contagious, I could listen to him for hours.
That said, and aware that one hour will just barely scratch the surface, it is my understanding that mythology served as an efficient mnemonic device.
Take Hercules and the Hydra, where one head is cut off and two grow in its' place. This may be a cautionary tale for farmers in a delta preparing for flood season - if you dam a river, when the waters come the water will flow from both sides of the new dam, rendering it useless. Hydra = water, doesn't get any more obvious than that.
Take the Muses, daughters of Chronos god of time and Mnemosyne goddess of memory. Time + memory = the inspirations/arts of man.
Three muses of poetry, two of theater, one of dance, one of history, one of music, then Urania - Muse of astronomy and mother of all sciences. Looking up at the night sky triggered the methodical observation of all of nature.
This is abstract stuff, sophisticated concepts presented in an easy to remember manner, in a society where most people did not yet know how to read and write.
That's a fascinating idea.
@@mmmoendo well we’re talking tens of thousands of years of oral history before the written word…those stories did not appear overnight just like we as the human species didn’t just pop up with built cities and kingdoms…so stretching it is the right word to use and a good way to think about mythology…
amazing with a light touch
You are such a brilliant lecturer. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
This man is excellent
I was fascinated by him and his lecture. Will check out his books.
I want to imagine that he is speaking to an empty room because I cannot understand how there can’t be anyone that wouldn’t be chuckling and enjoying this so much…
Didn't find it funny but was seriously interested
Excellent! I could learn so many things from this video. Thank you so much, Uni Birmingham for uploading!
Thank you 🙏 University of Birmingham
I take it you heard my son is into this geeky stuff.
Absolutely spectacular storyteller and man of great knowledge. Thank you, professor, it was a pleasure to listen to you.
This prof loves his history...just like all of us from Consett...first time Consett mentioned in a Greek mythology lecture. .....jim
Mythologians who wrote Mahabharat mythological epic were so developed that they mentioned more than 500 astronomical observations which were possible to happen only before 6550 BC....😃😃
This man didn't speak the scientific facts from Mahabharata but loosely connected it to Greek stories still trying to highlight Greeks as its his expertise. They should get an Indian scholar in Sanskrit who can explain Indian epics. My Sanskrit high school teacher in India explained very well. This Prof said they knew art of war, peace and were in new stone age, neolithic age but how can it be when Mahabharata has numerous metallic weapons 😀😀😀
I could listen to this guy lecture about pluckin’ chickens!
This was so interesting, i enjoyed this presentation very much.
I applied for Postgraduate Philosophy Scholarship at University of Birmingham. I wished I approved!
Amazing presentation lovely
I wish he had taught me greek mythology. Really. Love this lecture.
Not even three minutes in and I love him 🙏🏼🥰🙏🏼💜🙏🏼🤩🙏🏼💜
S - “I pity the century that will not have Greeks” - Nero, Roman Emperor. --- “The planets will grow old, arthropods will inherit the earth, the multiverse will implode and all hope of life will forever be extinguished - but the Greeks, the Greeks will always be around...” - My Uncle Aristokles (who runs the souvlaki joint a few blocks down from my place). ADDENDUM: Last week he fired his short-order cook, Demosthenes, for disagreeing with him on this point, but I am happy to report, has since re-hired him.
Excellent.
A very good lecturer! I enjoyed listening and watching a lot.
31:29 Does he know archaeologists found that tsunami drowned Dwaraka city of Krishna under water in western India? Can he connect mythology to reality?
Mythology is a probable reconstruction of historical events in a way that fascinates the human mind. But it is different from History in that the latter deals strictly with historical data for what it is, without any intention to evoke fascination.
1:00
"The future is unknowable."
I knew you were going to say that.
"I haven't met anyone who has read it end to end."
I, an Indian: ...
obviously he hasn't met you
I am Greek, this lecture was idiotic.
@@dorianblue979 So am I, and I found his lecture very pleasant
@@dorianblue979 why?
@@dorianblue979 kinda, you first…
Any event is very well documented as per astrology, giving dates and evidences based on celestial positions during those times
Whar a wonderful teacher!
Thank you for sharing this awesome lecture
Thank you so much, Uni Birmingham for uploading!😃
55 hundred years covered in 55 minutes, quite the task !
Great title.... !!!
Nice lecture but greeks in greece go back way further than the 1500bc myceanian greeks, minoans date back too 3500bc and they had mythology in full practice there too.
Yes, because its age of Rig Veda of ancient India, oldest world composition that has battle of 10 kings and the losers spread to west if India far to Greece, Eastern Europe and have similarities with Indian stories
Wonderful Lecture.
I wish I had Teachers and Professors like him!!!!!!
Great lecture, informative and entertaining. Cheers from Copenhagen.