Life Lessons from the Great Myths

by J. Rufus Fears

Change the way you think about some of the greatest stories ever told with this examination of the most important myths from more than 3,000 years of history. The ways in which the human imagination can transform historical events, people, and themes into powerful myths that endure through the ages is nothing short of awe-inspiring. To examine the core of the world's greatest myths and tales is to confront some of history's most basic human truths. These 36 captivating lectures comprise a powerful work of storytelling prowess and historical insight, exploring events and individuals that so gripped civilizations, they transcended to the level of myth and played an important role in shaping culture, politics, religion, and more. Looking at myths from ancient Greece and Rome, from the Near East and the Middle East, from early and modern Europe, and from the United States, Professor Fears shows how myths convey higher truths too profound to be described in ordinary language. Decoding them, Professor Fears reveals how they serve as enduring sources of wisdom. For example, the rich tapestry of supernatural events in the Epic of Gilgamesh provided support for Mesopotamian politics, including the need for a divinely appointed kingship. The furious battles in Beowulf played an important role in cementing Germanic ideas of courage, heroism, glory, and honor. And the dramatic last stand at the Battle of the Alamo emphasized for Americans that liberty is worth any price. The search for wisdom is one of life's great purposes, and there is much wisdom to be gleaned from the world's great myths. By the final powerful and stirring lecture of this course, you're sure to find yourself wiser than you were before you started.

Genres: Mythology, History, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Classics, Religion

18 pages, Audio CD

Published January 1, 2011

About the author

Dr. J. Rufus Fears is David Ross Boyd Professor of Classics at the University of Oklahoma, where he holds the G. T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty. He also serves as David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. Before joining the faculty at the University of Oklahoma, Professor Fears was Professor of History and Distinguished Faculty Research Lecturer at Indiana University, and Professor of Classical Studies and Chair of the Department of Classical Studies at Boston University.

An acclaimed teacher and scholar with 25 awards for teaching excellence, Professor Fears was chosen Professor of the Year on three occasions by students at the University of Oklahoma. His other accolades include the Medal for Excellence in College and University Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Great Plains Region Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the UCEA's National Award for Teaching Excellence.

Professor Fears's books and monographs include The Cult of Jupiter and Roman Imperial Ideology and The Theology of Victory at Rome. He edited a three-volume edition of Selected Writings of Lord Acton. His discussions of the Great Books have appeared in newspapers across the country and have aired on national television and radio programs.

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was difficult to rate. The entire series is entertaining and informative. Professor Fears does a good job of covering a wide range of myths and extrapolating some moral lessons. It's worth noting that, with the exception of The Epic of Gilgamesh, he only speaks of European and American myths, but that doesn't surprise me given the second paragraph of this review. Also, he does a great job with the myths that have become what we consider great books: The Iliad, The Aeneid, Beowulf, L'Morte d'Arthur, The Divine Comedy, and even the Bible. I think he misses a chance to mention myths that aren't as properly recorded in books taught in higher English courses, but what he teaches is good. He also explores how historical figures become myths, people such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Davy Crockett, Jesse James, and more.

As a progressive-leaning listener, this course was hard to listen to because Prof. Fears makes his very conservative views so blatantly a part of the course. In the first dozen lectures, it was nothing more obvious than a couple of commentaries on how today's youth like to use profanity, and how it makes him sad. Then he begins an ongoing deification of the American myth. In a country where the 12 most American History textbooks have been shown to be sanitized in the book Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, in a country full of patriotic utopian views, he clearly thinks that it is wrong for people to not accept the mythological heroes of the past and want to look for flaws. This culminates in a sugary divination of the Reagan presidency. He teaches about the Civil War and the '60's and does NOT EVEN ONCE mention slavery or civil rights concerns. It is a very anglocentric approach. I realize that I'm more sensitive to this since I am not a conservative (obviously, people who ARE conservatives will love his approach), and also have to acknowledge that this course was recorded in 2011, during Obama's first term when Republicans were preaching the pending Armageddon. It's just a little more sensitive to hear it in 2018, when bigotry is no longer something that should remain hidden, when protests of injustice during the Star Spangled Banner are interpreted as insulting the military and hating the country itself. Sorry, Prof. Fields, but there is no problem with Americans not holding mythological views about this country.

All that said, it hit a nerve, but I realize that if I held his similar views, I'd probably be adding a star, so I've done my best to rate this fairly. I liked it, didn't love it. It would be good to hear this course with life lessons that are either limited to what the original audience would have felt, or to have an alternate course from a progressive view, as well as more of the less formal myths and ones from Asia, Africa and the ancient Americas mentioned.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professor Fears never hides who he is. He is a God-fearing man who doesn’t seem like a big fan of critics and debunkers who have tried to peel back the layers and, perhaps to him, cheapen the truths of the myths he covers in this course. He is a lover of and believer in a very specific vision of America and states that “America is a very unique country with a very unique destiny.” He waxes poetic about Washington, Custer, Iwo Jima, and other cornerstones of romantic American myth-making. It is this aspect of his course which stand out the most to those who prefer a more critical exploration of mythology. I’m one of those people myself, and was at times frustrated by his lack of true criticism or acknowledgment of other perspectives, especially when it comes to American myths.

However, if you’re someone who simply wants to get wrapped up in the romantic versions of these tales, including beautiful retellings of the lives of people like Alexander the Great, Gilgamesh, and Napoleon, or if you want to go back to question whether Troy or Atlantis actually existed, this course will be worth it for you. Professor Fears speaks with great passion and the fact that he wears his heart so brazenly on his sleeve at times is commendable even if you might question his reasoning or feel differently about how myths with real historical kernels should be approached and studied.

There are useful reminders here of the power that myths still hold over us, and how they regularly reveal the values of a particular culture. Fears ends the course by stating that the greatest lesson of all myths is that we truly are the masters of our fates and the captains of our souls. It’s hard to disagree, and Fears is a living example of just that with how much he chooses to insert his perspective into what he teaches. Just be ready to say “Yeah, but,” which Fears himself might try to shout down as being needlessly contrarian.

Just take it as it comes, and enjoy the beauty that is often here.

[David Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing that brought this down from five stars is for me I could hear how much the professor's conservative values influenced his perspective on the myths and the lessons he gathered from them. I constantly was thinking what would a progressive liberal's life lessons would be from each myth discussed which actually made me engage more but I also thought what other myths weren't being mentioned because Fears didn't receive any inspiration from them where another professor would.

I'd really like to see a follow up course on "Liberal Life Lessons from the Great myths" from another professor.

DO NOT THINK I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS. I DO IT WAS GREAT!! I'm sure many people wouldn't even notice the slightly conservative slant in the lectures.

[Geoff Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is the first Great Course that I haven't enjoyed.

It was just too much retelling of myth or historical event, with only limited interpretation, and what there was of that appeared to be an individual and subjective interpretation.

I just didn't love it.

[Jeremiah Lorrig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as outstanding as his history of freedom, but this is an outstanding defense of myth, the power of stories, and a reminder that great deeds are worth celebrating and retelling. Dr Fears is an outstanding storyteller and if you want some short but compelling versions of the greatest legends of Western History, his are difficult to beat.

[Stanley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been listening and reading Dr. Fear's lectures ever since he started them with the teaching company, and I believe this is his best course. This took some incredible work on his part as all of his works for the Teaching Company have been outstanding. I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in history...

[Joseph D Foresi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rufus Fears is impressive. He walks the listener/reader through almost every myth since the beginning of creation touching on the myth, the historical kernels of truth, and it place in history.

I found his work educational, inspiring. I learned a lot, which is always the list important part. This is the second course I have listened to. We are two for two on quality.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Heroes, History, and Myth

2. The Myth of Troy

Travel back to c. 1250 B.C. and revisit the chaos of the Trojan War. Learn how this 10-year conflict began as a result of the classical Greek idea of hubris (abusing the limits of personal power) and how its story conveys powerful political truths about the tragedy of preemptive warfare.

3. Homer and Mythology

4. In Search of Historical Troy

5. Life Lessons from the Trojan War

Conclude your look at the Trojan War by investigating the conflict's historical roots in a pre-emptive war for control over natural resources in the Black Sea. Then, close the lecture by looking at why the Greek empire declined, as well as lessons that you can learn from Homer's Odyssey.

6. Jason and the Golden Fleece

7. Theseus and the Minotaur

8. Myth and Athenian Drama

9. Fate and Free Will in Mythology

10. Atlantis—Fact or Fiction?

11. The Epic of Gilgamesh

Investigate one of the earliest and most memorable myths from the ancient Middle East: the epic story of Gilgamesh. With his characteristic storytelling prowess, Professor Fears lets you follow along as the Sumerian king battles monsters, journeys to the end of the Earth, and seeks answers to life's most important questions.

12. Gilgamesh and History

13. The Book of Genesis

14. Exodus—The Foundation of the Jewish People

15. The Historical Power of Biblical Stories

How do Genesis and Exodus define Jewish culture? How were ancient Egyptian views of monotheism passed on to the Hebrews through the rebellious pharaoh Akhenaten? Why could we consider that Moses himself may have been Egyptian? Learn the answers to these and other provocative historical questions about these great books.

16. Aeneas—Rome's National Hero

17. Romulus—The Founder of Rome

18. Lays of Ancient Rome

19. Alexander the Great in History

20. Alexander the Great in Romance

21. Beowulf—Historical Roots and Heroic Values

22. King Arthur—Fact or Fiction?

23. In Search of the Holy Grail

24. Vikings in America?

Did the Vikings discover North America? For a long time this was largely regarded as fancy, but in 1960, archaeological evidence established beyond a doubt that Vikings had settled there. Investigate how this discovery was made—and the role played by the journeys of Eric the Red and Leif Erikson.

25. Vergil the Magician

26. The Battle of Kosovo

Fought on June 28, 1389, the battle of Kosovo between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Turkish Empire is still living history in the Balkans. Go inside the history and mythic legacy of this clash to learn how its higher truths about patriotism still inspire the Serbs and their modern nation.

27. Julius Caesar in History

Similarities between Rome and America in relation to the decline of the Roman Empire.

28. Napoleon and the Mantle of Caesar

Spain did not want the liberal ideals of Napoleon, and resisted.

29. Arminius and German Mythology

30. Teuton versus Roman

31. Davy Crockett and the Myth of the Frontier

32. The Alamo

33. Jesse James and the Myth of the Outlaw

34. General Custer—Hero or Villain?

35. Reagan, Hollywood, and American Ideals

36. Mythology as a Path to Wisdom

[Austin Lugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great courses may be the greatest invention of the 21st century.

As a lifelong scholar, as I believe we should all attempt to be, there is no greater thrill than that of sitting in the classroom of some of the greatest thinkers of our time.

From physics to psychology to, of course, mythology, the great courses can't help but succeed.

And so too this is another success in the seemingly infinite belt of the great cpurses.

Sure, as an older professor he has some ideas about the united states, particularly for a professor, are a bit biased in Americas favor.

From the way he speaks about the very concept of America to some of its more, how should I put it, sultry presidents, the professor has nothing but praise for this country.

And wach to their own, of course, every one should be allowed to their opinion, and nor am I suggesting there's any sort of doctrination of any kind.

I believe these beliefs, along with all beliefs, despite what my current school board states unfortunately, that we should have these kinds of conversations, and be willing to listen to the thoughts of others.

If there's only on thing to take away from the course, it's the power of understanding.

So many of these myths are represantations of an age and time and people, and while many are fundamentally contradictory, they are all equally valid.

So must we see each and every human with their differing opinions.

We may not like them, we may not like what they like, but there is no crueler fate then ignoring the hated.

[Tom Axworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.Rufus Fears believes in the Great Man theory of history and his audio course of 36 lectures is an enjoyable romp through the lives of many heroes both real and mythological. Great figures make profound decisions and Fears believes this is the essence of history, not long term factors like demography or environmental sustainability. He has a fluid storytelling style and his episodes on the Alamo or Alexander the Great are told enthusiastically. You sometimes learn aspects of history that are not well known today: I did not realize for example,that Virgil, the great Roman epic poet, himself became a mythological figure in the Middle Ages with stories about Virgil the Magician. But the life lessons that Fears pulls from his subjects are simplistic and archaic. In discussing a " hero" like Andrew Jackson no mention is made that Jackson was a vicious slave holder.When discussing the Revolutionary War ,Fears classified as an outrage that the British had tried to protect
Native lands from freedom loving frontiersmen. The motivation to move West was to take by force territories owned by others, not a devotion to freedom. Fears admires warrior-patriotism and the myths he extolls takes their model from Achilles - a fighting machine consumed by ideas of honour. Fears tells his stories well but his life lessons are for a past age not for today.

[Gebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of the courses by J Rufus Fears, this one is excellent. His vocal tonality is all over the place and sometimes kind of annoying, but I forgive him for that considering how great the content is.

This course was particularly fascinating for me because he not only covers the classic myths, but takes through the mythic traditions of recent historical cultures AND our own! Really loved the stuff about American mythology as this is so rarely covered at this level.

Overall, highly recommend this and all of his courses if you’re into the material he covers. Except for his sometimes absurd vocal tonality, particularly when he’s talking about people wanting to kill each other, super fascinating and well laid out. Plus, it’s just a personal idiosyncrasy.

[Geldar · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Professor Fears tells highly engaging stories, woven together with helpful historical contexts and his own insights. I felt this one to be a bit light on the "life lessons" part, and I also wondered how many facts or opposing viewpoints Prof. Fears may have swept under the rug. He has a strong and often attractive perspective, but sometimes it's just a little too pat, a little too reductive. Delicious food for thought, and I insist you must think. I wouldn't recommend swallowing all of this stuff down whole, despite how easy it goes down.

[Tamminh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't clear what the life lessons were until the very last chapter, when Prof. Fears wrapped up all the myths masterfully. Until then, it was quite an entertaining listen of the great myths, done by the master of story-telling Fears.

[Alica McKenna-Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listening to this professor wax on about the greatness of Ancient Greece is like listening to men’s rights activists go on about the 1950’s. Sure it was a great time if your were male and white but for everyone else it sucked.

[Phildiggety · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to courses from Prof Fears

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best lecture series but still informative.

[Jy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abnoxiously Eurocentric. Lecturers makes no attempt to hide his bias regarding the superiority of the western myth and story telling.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Davy Crockett and Ronald Reagan. This professor gives you a historical analysis next to the myth itself.

[Enrico · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an okay course. Almost all of his other courses are much better though.

[Carolyn Deboer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much — so many myths I’ve only had cursory knowledge and this filled the voids and applied historical and modern perspectives. I can hardly get enough of these books.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well-written (spoken?). I enjoyed hearing this author's perspective on many of the great myths, but I wish the one about the Bible wasn't so biased.

[Jerrilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a conservative, Christian view of history, with not one woman hero.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've loved old right-wing uncle fears' stuff, but while a few of these were good (new lectures on the battle of kosovo, ronald reagan, and so on), this harvard-educated dandy was well past his prime here and quite convinced america was now imperial rome awaiting conquest by the barbarians. all well and good, but he was phoning it in by his standards and wouldn't be alive much longer - he died too soon, at 67. easy listening if you've got some long commutes, as i do on the weekends, but far from his best (famous greeks/famous romans are what you want, as far as that goes).

[David Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the history of mankind myths have given us our higher. In this wonderful series Professor J. Rufus Fears looks at a number of these myths and examines what they meant in their own time and what they can teach us today.

The myths in this series cover the entire period of Western Civilization. From Gilgamesh and The Bible all the way through the Greek and Roman periods, the Medieval period, and up to our own times. Fears examines the kernel of truth in many of these myths and shows that most have some form of history behind them. He also shows that these stories convey truths that can serve in our own time. This means that while there is some history in the myths we shouldn't get bogged down in debating every historical fact. Instead we should look at what truths these stories convey and learn.

I am sure that there will be those who object to Dr. Fears' selections. They focus entirely on what we call the Western Tradition. Of course this encompasses nearly four thousand years of literature and history that spans the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, and North America. These myths are the myths that inform us in the modern world. They contain the wealth of a cultural heritage that we ignore to our own poverty of mind and spirit.

Throughout the course there are a number of themes that Dr. Fears draws from these stories. Some of them are intended to resonate deeply with the audience in our own time. On multiple occasions he discusses the problems associated with pre-emptive war, particularly in the Middle East. Perhaps the American leadership and the American people could have avoided many of the mistakes of the past decade if we had spent more time reading the classics and less time on other subjects. He shows us the importance of following your dream.

This is true of the characters in the myths as well as those who pursued the study of these myths. On several occasions he points out the intrepid amateurs who ignored the "pot-bellied" professors and found Troy, Knossos, Mycenae, and other locations deemed as mere fantasy by the experts of their time. This is just one sample of the dry humor that he shares. Personally I found Dr. Fears speaking style to be quite enjoyable. With his soft Southern accent and the subject material he often reminded me of a preacher delivering a classic sermon that would be discussed in great depth after church.

I have read myths since I was a very young child and have always enjoyed them. In college I majored in history and took as many English courses as I could. There I saw first hand what damage has been done to our culture in the university setting. History and Literature studies no longer examine the higher aspirations and truths. Instead, History has become a dull plodding world of sociologists. There are notable exceptions, as the Great Courses show us. Literature studies have fallen prey to the post-modernist and the Freudian. It is refreshing to find a professor who still remembers that our stories, whether we call them history, legend, or myth, are what make us truly human. I plan to get everything I can find by Professor Fears and I hope that you will as well.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable set of lectures about myths and why they matter to us today. I have listened to many lectures on mythology, so I smugly did not expect to learn many new things. I am happy to report that Professor Fears always exceeds expectations, and my assumptions were abandoned.

[Roland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blech. Conservative, Reagan-worshipping nonsense. I try to be open to this but as a POC it’s hard to be ok with waving away slavery and race murders with “yeah it was genocide BUT” and “yeah slavery was terrible BUT”. Not for me, regardless of there being some good content early on.

[Stephen Walmsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. Even more so when I learned that Fears wrote this with a post 9/11 perspective in the yer before his death.

[Vance Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Fears, excellent, as always, even if a bit heavy on the myth and symbol.