The myth of Zeus' test - Iseult Gillespie

Dig into the myth of Baucis and Philemon, a couple who unknowingly showed the gods hospitality after their neighbors refused.
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It was dark when two mysterious, shrouded figures appeared in a hillside village. The strangers knocked on every door in town, asking for food and shelter. But, again and again, they were turned away. Soon, there was just one door left: that of a small, thatched shack. Would the owners help the visitors - or spurn them? Iseult Gillespie shares the myth of Baucis and Philemon.
Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency.
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Music: www.wonderboyaudio.com
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[@FallenEpic]

I genuinely love how nearly every culture and religion and mythology is like "You should be kind to strangers with seemingly nothing, they might be the divine in disguise."

[@cowgirl5155]

I remember that also made me a bit sad as a kid, because I wondered "do people really need to believe they could be dealing with a higher power in order to just be nicer to others?" Personally, I like trying to keep an eye out for stories with big floods in them.

[@njt2347]

And yet so few people actually treat strangers with nothing to offer them with kindness.

[@deshmkh5014]

its like a dhar mann video like you wont get a reward if you help strangers you should help them just cause you can out of no desire for recognition

[@nidohime6233]

Is their way to teach people how not to be assholes.

[@athendity2567]

In the past there weren’t as much criminals with malicious intentions as today (take illegal organ harvesting for example), unlike now where “stranger danger” is the first lesson taught to children during socialising.

[@hellod4787]

-opens house to strangers -strangers floods village and turns their house into a palace -becomes trees and are never separated What a time to be alive.

[@HeWhoProclaims]

LoL Thankfully it's metaphorical. But true.

[@Yuvgup]

No matter what time you live in. These will come to you as stories only. That’s the beauty of mythology. Everyone hears but none experiences

[@I.____.....__...__]

* Strangers turn their home into a temple for themselves, a place to worship the gods. 😒

[@Geniusignotus]

I remember reading the Roman version of the same myth back in my adolescence so instead of Zeus and Hermes, the two strangers were Jupiter and Mercury It shares a lot of similarities to the Biblical stories of Noah and Lot

[@AsterMaken]

-refuses to elaborate -leaves

[@joaobello7179]

I thought they were gonna ask to bring their friends back... but still is a beautiful myth

[@ahmadhasan7033]

ikr

[@joshuataylor3550]

Just like Noah's myth

[@KarmaKraftttt]

@@joshuataylor3550 Relax kid no need to be defensive for your cringe atheist religion

[@sdjkwoo]

@@KarmaKraftttt Don't blame him, he evolved from monkeys

[@scoopityboop]

Well Ancient Greece has had several myths detailing death as something final so that was out of the question

[@xdrago5602]

So Zeus and Hermes decided to be quirky one day, went walking around in extremely shady hoods asking for citizens to take massive risks. Then being somehow shocked and angered by the citizens not wanting to be robbed and possibly killed and proceed to murder all of them. Wheres Kratos when you need him

[@Saulgoodmane]

You fail to realize this is a myth taking place in a different time in a different culture, the gods were testing people for this very reason. Had they been accepted at the first house they went maybe the whole town would have been blessed but because they weren’t accepted until the very end they realized no one in that town was worth saving except for the last couple

[@paytonyoder6937]

I know right

[@user-vv4gz7lq1e]

It's a little more reasonable when you consider that providing hospitality to strangers was one of the central tenants of Greek culture

[@cicatrixnictophilii]

you're thinking everything too literal and not symbolical or philosophical. Xenia means hospitality to strangers even zeus was often called Xenios, which proves hospitality was in the very center of the Greek ideology. Zeus and Hermes were not in the story to terrorize the civilians but they rather represent justice. Gods were often used to explain natural phenomena, to keep people in order in a lawless era and to provide support in hard times, much like today. And yes in that old days, you were expected to open your house to strangers and provide food and shelter, which doesn't mean leaving them alone in your house while you went to sleep. It means provide food, inquire them where they came from and what is their purpose. Metaphorical stories like these made people of every intellectual level to conceive these concepts

[@andco53]

Non-existent in the actual myths, that's where Kratos is

[@AasthaBhansali]

Destroying the whole village because they were scared to help random strangers (who could very well be robbers)? Harsh. But the love of the couple made me teary eyed 🥲

[@royaltyempire4103]

thats the greek pantheon for you

[@magouliana32]

The story is metaphorical, the villagers inhumanity and lack of hospitality to their fellow humans in need is what eventually destroyed them all. Zeus symbolizes the universal idea-entity of Justice among other things.

[@Cora.T]

You can say a lot about the Greeks, from slavery, lack of women's rights, to war etc, but atleats they didn't pretend their gods were benevolent

[@GThe-su9kl]

I mean, they *did* rob them of their neighbors.

[@Aarav.B]

@@Cora.T Honestly, the people who created the pantheon are quite smart. It's like poetry, the fear of the world and nature embodied in the gods. At the same time, keeping the population fearful and right.

[@SirPembertonS.Crevalius]

While I don't approve of the god's actions, the story of the two being kind to passerbys and loving each other dearly to the very end was incredibly heartwarming.

[@zyntkalla6761]

I find the gods are like children. If they don't get what they want they have a tantrum and make everyone else suffer. I think they have big egos and they are like children when things don't go their way.

[@raisul_raj]

No approvements required actually 🤣

[@normalchannel2185]

@@zyntkalla6761 yep. the greek/olympus gods are not gods, but childish tyrants

[@Omkar.Gawade]

@Here Comes Salvation not necessary. Just because they have power doesn't mean they're better. Unless you attach all the 'kind, loving, wise, all powerful, all knowing' and other adjectives that religions traditionally attach to their gods. However those adjectives are entirely unnecessary in defining gods. Some other unnecessary presumptions: A being more powerful than us =\= god. God =\= a being powerful than us.

[@whynot07]

I think you confuse gods with rulers, governers, politicians etc.

[@iamgreatalwaysgreat8209]

3:50 A classic Zeus punishment , letting everyone die , even children ignoring their all past good deeds, just because once they didnt helped 2 shady men.

[@andreascovano7742]

to be fair, ignoring Xenia was a very serious taboo, like the worst. And it was taboo for this very reason. In those days, it was believed that the gods walked among men, so you better be careful on who you anger. Especially strangers.

[@nathansmiddy732]

@@andreascovano7742 tfw you had a rough few days so you decide to go to bed early and end up missing the two strangers seeking shelter then wake up to Hades processing your paperwork

[@andreascovano7742]

@@nathansmiddy732 presumably they knocked

[@nathansmiddy732]

@@andreascovano7742 As you've barely begun to slip into the world of dreams, your well-deserved rest welcoming your tired body in warm embrace, you hear a knock at the door--a loud one. Weary from the hectic days preceding this moment, you recall the five times your needy neighbors Titus and Cassius boisterously called upon you for minor tasks they could have easily handled themselves. By Zeus, you told them that you were headed to bed early today! Surely they could avail you respite for a night. They should know better than anyone that the work you do can wait for tomorrow morning. The knocking soon relents and you hear a murmur and the shuffling of feet away from your door. Rest is yours at last. As you drift off into your well-earned dream of a gentle ride down a calm river, you swear you can even hear the gentle flowing of water. Ahh, sleep.

[@videogollumer]

What good deeds? You can't just assume that the others were automatically neighborly to each other.

[@Sid-mj1qf]

At 3:54 , when the whole village is flooded, you can see the couple's goose is swimming in it. This wraps the whole story and gives ending to the character. This shows how much Ted-Ed gives importance to animation to such minute aspects. Good job Ted-Ed👏

[@jk-gb4et]

character to the ending?

[@Sid-mj1qf]

@@jk-gb4et I'm saying about the character "goose"

[@jk-gb4et]

@@Sid-mj1qf oh ok

[@albatros386]

yeah I was not able to move on without knowing the goose's fate in this story!

[@__Qt]

I thought the couple would ask the gods to bring them their goose back 😭

[@Grabacr-pl3wy]

“Be kind to strangers 😊” 5:50 “ZEUS HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DISPENSING BRUTAL PUNISHMENTS!”

[@centurionquincy3899]

It’s amazing how even a story about loving couples like these still boil down to: “So There ends up another temple of the gods” I feel like Zeus just wanted an excuse to make a new temple

[@orngefsh]

fr fr

[@Account.for.Comment]

Knowing that it came from Ovid, that's probably his intention. Zeus and Hermes are like the Caesars, giving unreasonable demand and punishment to citizens, made a few poor people much richer, and made temple honor of their name. Classic Ovid.

[@micahbush5397]

Fun fact: This myth is referenced in the New Testament. In Acts 14, after witnessing Paul and Barnabas heal a man who had been lame since birth, the people of Lystra concluded that they were Hermes and Zeus come in human form and tried to offer sacrifices to them. The fate of the inhospitable townspeople was no doubt on their minds.

[@X23Ninja]

Thanks for pointing this out I noticed this as well. They thought Paul was Hermes and Barnabus was Zeus which funny because one would expect Paul to be mistaken for Zeus not Barnabus due to Paul being such a important Apostle. However it actually makes sense because Hermes was the messenger and spokesman of the Gods and Paul was trained in Roman Rhetoric.

[@isaiah3872]

That's why Hermes sounded so familiar

[@videogollumer]

Yeah, specifically, they thought Paul was Hermes because he was doing most of the talking, which Hermes was said to do on Zeus' behalf even when both were present. Of course, when Paul and Barnabas heard about what they were doing; they were dismayed, tore their robes (which then was a way of expressing dismay) and ran out before them; telling them that they were ordinary people like them and that they've come to preach to them that they should turn away from their in-vain worship of lifeless gods and to the one true living God. This isn't the only instance in the Bible of people of a city paying heed to a human messenger of God because they appeared in a way that was both extraordinary and seemed to tie into their beliefs. Now, this requires some background context. Jonah was regurgitated on to the land by a whale, a huge creature from the sea. The Ninevites had some sort of fish god that was important to their culture; so with word that he had been vomited up by a whale (great fish), they knew he must be a divinely sent messenger. I think these instances are what C. S. Lewis, being Christian Apologist, was thinking about when he said that he believes that pagan religion could be a preparation for Christianity, not to say that he was advocating purposefully using it that way. This is just my observation, anyway.

[@JDazell]

ACTUAL FACT: this myth of from the Baucis and Philemon story in the Metamorphosis by the Roman writer Ovid which is a couple of centuries prior to Paul's contribution to the New Testament.

[@videogollumer]

@@JDazell There's nothing you said that contradicts what Micah Bush said. You both are implying that this story existed before Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra.

[@yanivrubin4166]

Let me point out that hospitality was one of *the most* importent tennets of ancent greek culture. Many of the legends revolve around that fact, such as kings protecting people who fled to them just because it's importent to be a good host, even with the gods chasing them

[@SCP_Wandsman13_13]

That is a great point

[@Jfndh]

It still exists… φιλοξενία 💙🍷🇬🇷🧿

[@pfft5275]

Such a calm and quiet narration, like this could be something you show to a kid just before bed. The voice becomes a whisper, the soft music settles to its conclusion -- then "ZEUS HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DISPENSING BRUTAL PUNISHMENTS--"

[@germanjimenez5336]

You can tell a story as a sequence of events, but when you add such lovely details as the one where their skin is becoming a tree, it becomes art and emotions. That is when this changed from a tale to a work of art!

[@ZOCCOK]

One of the most heart warming stories I've ever heard. The retelling of the story along with the simple yet beautiful animation has resulted in one of the best videos of Ted-Ed till date ❤️

[@Lamiishere]

Cringe Af

[@ghostderazgriz]

Super heart warming. The best part was when Zues killed all their neighbors in a violent flood where they definitely were torn limb from limb by the ripping tides or drowned, trapped in their own homes. There were probably women and children, little babies, orphans, soldiers, homeless. Very heart warming.

[@ZOCCOK]

@@ghostderazgriz That's my favorite part too ❤️❤️❤️

[@swoyambhattarai1011]

goodthing for yall in this -zeus didnt bone another women - no etarnal punishment

[@andaction.agency]

We appreciate your kind words regarding the animation; we had a great time making it.❤

[@therickprincess]

i used to be obsessed with greek mythology and remember all these stories by heart. now i barely remember their names, how far i've evolved from her.

[@ultracapitalistutopia3550]

Strictly speaking this story came straight from Ovid's Metamorphoses.

[@puneetmishra4726]

@@ultracapitalistutopia3550 Well that explains why gods are such tyrants here ;)

[@videogollumer]

@@puneetmishra4726 Actually, Ovid describes the people of the village as wicked; and yes, that IS saying something considering his mindset.

[@kamu747]

Me too. As a teenager I knew a whole catalogue of these mythologies to the detail, along with king Arthur tales, but now in middle age, they are ruins in my mind, but if you were to retell the tale I'd know the generalities of the tales. As we grow and age other concerns and informstions take priority in our minds.

[@adityaagarwal3010]

Then one of Zeus's calm and reasonable sons returned. He brought the destruction of Olympus.

[@andco53]

I don't remember that myth

[@Tanaysaxena]

He then asked zeus that what will he do?as he could no longer hide behind the skirts of athena

[@xxx_jim_the_reaper_xxx]

@@andco53 _"The hands of death could not defeat me. The Sisters of Fate could not hold me. And YOU! Will not see the end of this day!_ *_I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!_*

[@carla.n.5078]

These old myths and stories usually holds a lesson in them. In this, kindness and hospitality gave way for a loving couple to receive the blessing of their gods and a good end for their life well lived. Warms the heart, truly.

[@xuklysc]

I wouldn't really say that having my home transformed into a temple that I will have to care for is a reward, honestly

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@xuklysc hahaha but i still would call "surviving" a reward hahaha

[@yashwardhansingh4787]

@@jestfullgremblim8002 that's a absolutely scummy thing to say

[@timr3621]

Awesome story! It's an archetypal story, which is why it's so good. Baucis and Philemon sacrificed what little they had to the highest principle, to Zeus, the highest of all gods - making it the ultimate sacrifice. Whereas all who didn't make this sacrifice got swallowed by chaos, washed away by the flood that was sent by the gods. Baucis and Philemon are full of love, i.e. selflessness. Notice how they didn't request anything grand like a marble tempel - and for that very reason, the received one. All they wanted was each other, and that they already had. Turning into trees is obviously a symbol for eternal transformation, as the tree is the underlying, unchanging structure, sheding and regrowing its leaves forever.

[@yell09999]

For those who are wondering "the goose that guard there house" yes goose can be a guard dog if you don't have a dog that is goose are loyal and very territorial.

[@videogollumer]

@@danjoredd Isn't it more like pecking?

[@Ashebrethafe]

I've read that the ancient Romans used geese to guard their city gates at night, and that the title they used for these geese is the origin of the word "money".

[@videogollumer]

@@danjoredd I mean, neither is pleasant. I was mostly going by how ducks eat, which is mostly pecking at it. Seriously, NEVER feed a duck with your bare hands. I've done it before; it's not at all pleasant.

[@omarsalem1219]

Wait seriously?

[@cooldude-mi9wz]

@@videogollumer no, They actually have teeth.

[@puncifikator3870]

I love how this myth came about as to explain why two trees grew into eachother next to a temple

[@NickvonZ]

Moral of the story: Invite dark strangers into your house. At night.

[@irrelevant_noob]

Well as long as they come seeking food and shelter... Does it really need to be in a storm too? ^^

[@sandrosliske]

This was horrifying. I know treating guests with hospitality was a huge deal back then but damn Zeus. And that poor old couple having there friends and home taken away like that only to have true body horror happen upon you and your loved one to be your final moments.

[@starcherry6814]

Zeus drowned all their friends and family but gave them a big house 🤣

[@isaiah3872]

You win some, you lose some 🥴

[@FedJimSmith]

*Non-Virtuous friends and family

[@roncangarden8952]

@@FedJimSmith What? for wanting to line one's own tummy, our most basic needs? self-preservation is not non-virtuous.

[@herosflute]

well, I live in Rio, Brazil, so no, I would definetly NOT pass the test by letting two shady strangers into my home

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

True, true

[@Ari-hc1vr]

I didn't expect it, but I honestly burst into tears at the end. Something about it just struck a chord with me

[@petravotroubkova1916]

It was my favorite Greek myth as a child and I always cried at the end 😁 just the two sweet old people asking for nothing just each other forever and their wish coming true...

[@dhavalpatel156]

I'm sobbing that was adorable 😭😭😭😭

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Bro what. Every one of their neighbours died :'(

[@sergiorodriguezbailon6677]

It's always bugged me the gods testing if people is worthy. Now, the music was awesome, I thought I was going to cry.

[@X23Ninja]

There is actually a point of Testing people because you dont truly know your own character unless you actually go through that situation even if you believe otherwise. Ive known many women for example who said they would NEVER have an abortion but as soon as they have a unplanned pregnancy they are on the phone to the abortion clinic. Testing reveals true character

[@nidohime6233]

That's because there are fables meant to teach people how to behave and act in society. In this case the moral is to be a good host to your guests.

[@videogollumer]

@@X23Ninja Amen!

[@matthewcheung7888]

"Honey, let's not open the door. Those people might be thieves or escaped convicts." "What a perfectly sound and reasonable decision. Surely nothing terrible will come from this."

[@Oznerock]

Rarely. Those sorts would rather be brigands on the roads, where they can't easily be taken over by an angry mob in the morning... Vigilante justice was alive and well back then, and most had weapons. You may kill the father, but even the mother may kill you in return. Or worse, wake up the other villagers.

[@erondeka]

I love how i listened to the whole video and only later did i realise that the entire video is a beautiful poem. Seriously watch it again and just observe and enjoy

[@niveditajha1134]

This was a beautiful story ❤️🥺 gorgeous animation and spell binding narration. Thank you Ted-Ed ❤️❤️❤️

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for nice comment about animation, we enjoyed the creation process a lot ❤

[@smokingbobs1344]

@@andaction.agency You made this? Wonderful work. Especially the "waviness" in the art style - for instance on the flowing grass - really sold the story as the ancient myth it is.

[@andaction.agency]

@@smokingbobs1344 yeees :) thank you very much ❤❤

[@andaction.agency]

Dear TED-Ed team, thank you for amazing cooperation on this project! We enjoyed it a loooot ❤❤❤❤

[@Sid-mj1qf]

Can we all agree that old Baucis and Philemon are adorable and so cute in animation, I just want to pinch their cheeks.

[@derrickgriffines9050]

That's too cute... iam loving it

[@joditiarsutrisno5556]

Hermes : "Dad, do you think it is more kind to just give these couple some golds instead of turning them into tree also without killing their neighbors?" Zeus : " Nah "

[@J040PL7]

They asked for it.

[@amberwerwolfschool8927]

​@@J040PL7they didn't ask for their neighbors to get killed and they wanted to die together not me turned into trees

[@kuvampuri8299]

FACE ME FATHER

[@MirrorOfEmotions]

In an alternative timeline with a happy end: Hestia who overheard the conversation: Don't kill them!😢 Zeus: Hrmpf. Hestia: 😢 Zeus: .... Hestia: 😢 Zeus: Ngh, fine. Not this time. Hestia: 😊

[@ronitgoswami1160]

For those who are saying, it was wrong at Gods' part to flood the town, story is metaphorical conveying that those who don't help other needy humans can themselves fall in such situation where Zeus stands for universal Justice. Everyone is afraid of strangers, but through such stories you might help the needy ones thinking that they might be divine in disguise.

[@agrajyadav2951]

And get robbed

[@Vortexiiixii]

There's a 50/50 chance I invited a murderer to my house even with or without the shaddy hood. Although I like to take my chances, and gamble my life.

[@manar_6536]

this story telling is astonishing, I couldn’t help but shed tears at the end.

[@--Paws--]

Odin has the same myth of randomly wandering the world and seeking refuge from those that would offer to invite them as a guest. The Olympic games was sort of dedicated to Zeus and this act of xenia, which is why rival coutries, warring states and any nation must take an oath to not bring arms, or any hostility while visiting as a guest during the games.

[@noeldenever]

Such a captivating narration, coupled with lovely animation. Thank you for this treat, Ted-Ed ❤️

[@ymaculateadhiambo5136]

Brought a year to my eye. It’s a beautiful story beautifully told

[@icantthinkofaname8139]

“There stood an oak and a linden tree, their branches intertwined for eternity. *ZEUS HAS A HISTORY OF GIVING OUT AWFUL PUNISHMENTS*”

[@videogollumer]

*BRUTAL

[@komaliwings7209]

The animation on this was amazing. The trees growing into hearts at the beginning and the goose riding down the lake after the flooding were fantastic touches.

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for your nice comment about animation, we really enjoyed the creation process❤

[@devilmaylaugh2]

When I read Zeus's test, I had a way scarier theory in mind. 💀

[@marimelbello2066]

Such a beautiful story! It’s quite nice to be reminded that there are still some people who truly love each other.

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for your nice comment about animation, we really enjoyed the creation process❤

[@Lizzie-ve7kt]

This narrator is amazing, this entire short video was incredibly cinematic and is far better than a majority of the children’s movies and tv shows in recent years. Would love for this narrator and the animators to work on a full-length feature film.

[@mrherobrine_15]

The sus test… no I would not pass

[@KurtIsFat]

that's why you get no bitches

[@Human_traain]

I would

[@noahjesseham5791]

Not

[@starcherry6814]

Maybe I would half pass? I have no problem giving away food but I don't let strangers into my house

[@yuma.reiixx]

This is very heartwarming 💗 I have to admit, I shed several tears

[@homyce]

OMG such a beautiful video that made this dull day of mine much brighter and sweeter. Thank you!

[@blu_creations]

They are the sweetest couple ever, the love no one else could share

[@BenjaminISmith]

Gotta love the gods. Teaching lessons of hospitality and grace by genociding all who slightly inconvenience them. Praising people for their generosity as they drink all their wine just to go back home where there's magic chalices of infinite wine. Where's Kratos?

[@videogollumer]

Probably just now leaving the village after they shunned him as a guest too, so he can resume his hunt for the bullyish god/daemon/personification that he's named after.

[@rainbowruler6453]

Not that much different than the Christian God who flooded the entire earth

[@BenjaminISmith]

@@rainbowruler6453 Not at all different. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob is described in all different ways. Most of the time he isn't a space-less time-less force. Most of the time the people writing about him seem to think he's a guy who lives in the sky with magical powers exactly like Zeus

[@videogollumer]

@@BenjaminISmith Those people need to read the Bible again.

[@BenjaminISmith]

@@videogollumer You mean Moses, Solomon, and Isaiah? I mean who can we trust to write on god?

[@alexsdarkclubband]

This was so beautiful, thank you for this amazing story and animation ❤️

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for nice comment about animation, we enjoyed the creation process a lot ❤

[@englishwinglish3123]

The animation and the narration scripts are beautifully entwined together. The storytelling is remarkable.

[@ilgeorgioahp543]

A miastake I noticed is that you said they had shown "xenia". It is actually "filoxenia" or φιλοξενία. Xenos means stranger while filo means friendship or love. Filoxenia means hospitality towards a stanger. Great video by the way.

[@jennieliao6200]

Beautiful animation as always,well done!Love it

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for nice comment about animation, we enjoyed the creation process a lot ❤

[@briantaylor9285]

Beautiful story, and rather terrifying, to be honest. That "Oh, f__k..." moment when the wine jug never ran out." 👀

[@shiny2575]

I've read about this myth before! It's one of my favorites, and although it's simplified to be shortened into this video it still retains most of the useful information

[@murodsharipov773]

Moral of the story is that we should treat people well though they are strangers and accept them with a genuine hospitalty.But not everyone will open up their door to the house to absolutely unknown people with strange clothing resembling the robbers especially at midnight.🗿

[@bt5294]

Those trees are relationship goals

[@canned_can_chan4590]

We have a similar legend in java, indonesia called rawa pening. The villagers were more hostile tho. And the granny who helped didnt get her house back, but she did get a warning to flee the village with a tiny boat

[@valentinmitterbauer4196]

In the austrian alps there are countless sagas about inhospitality towards a stranger. A famous one goes like this: A farm up in the mountains sent away an old stranger who wanted food and a bed, although they had more than enough food, so much in fact that they bathed in milk and did similar wasteful things. As soon as the old man was gone an enormous storm covered the entire farm, cattle and people in ice and today from this particular mountain runs a glacier, the only one in the region.

[@canned_can_chan4590]

@@valentinmitterbauer4196 seems like hospitality is a very important thing in many cultures huh. so important that we have many legends surrounding it

[@__Liza__]

This was my favourite myth as a child, very nice narration!

[@Alley0ops]

Beautifully told and excellent narration

[@hanibanani2281]

Hermes and zeus: please let us in Citizens: no Hermes and zeus: you have chosen death

[@greenredblue]

While I wholeheartedly approve of the _intended_ lesson, I can't help but notice that what really comes across seems to be "If you're kind to the powerful, they'll spare your life when they destroy your friends, family, and possessions to build monuments to themselves."

[@Atylonisus]

That's always the problems with Gods. They use their position of power to trifle with those under them, and then place the blame squarely on mortals like "hey we wouldn't have had to do these malicious acts of our own free will if you just passed our arbitrary tests". Somehow Gods are all powerful except when it comes to taking responsibility. No, that's the fault of the beings with literally no powers. By the way, pay my protection fees-- I mean, worship my temples, and nobody has to get hurt... Again.

[@Azurath100]

@@Atylonisus you forgot ..... Again, I "promise".

[@kappadarwin9476]

I view it as "Don't judge people if you haven't met them." the people in that village judged the strangers on first impression alone. Meaning if the strangers showed up covered in precious stones or high quality cloth the people of the village would have most likely welcomed them with open arms and then expect a reward. But the old couple did not judge them nor did they ask for anything selfish.

[@Karak-_-]

Well, that's an iterpretation Ovid, would probably agree. But there is also interpretation of gods as alegorical forces of nature. Zeus & Hermes did not paraded their status, but disguised as poor beggars. The people here refused to help those in need, and in return, no one helped when they needed.

[@GabrielAKAFinn]

American brainrot

[@hoangdaniel4433]

this has to be by far my most favorite myth, its just so beautiful

[@asprywrites6327]

That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

[@gregiep]

Two weeks earlier, the couple up the road was also visited by two strangers in the night asking for food and shelter. They too seemed a bit unusual, but the couple took them in. They got robbed and murdered. Too bad.

[@gregiep]

Obviously, I’m not saying don’t be kind to strangers or those in need, kindness is unquestionably a good thing. However, you can show kindness without making yourself vulnerable and trusting your safety to the whims of strangers.

[@irrelevant_noob]

Clearly, they had so much wealth to worry about... ^^

[@kingmunch7252]

Ted Ed, you guys got to do on a story about badang, a southeast asian myth. It has such an interesting story. Would love to see your creative interpretation of the myth. Thank you very much for these stories.

[@adrien5568]

I had never heard of this myth before. I really enjoyed it!

[@V123cav]

This guy is my favourite animation voice, so pleased every time I hear him :)

[@thrillerthrinklet8211]

"Last farewell as humans" such a beautiful line.

[@nromk]

I don't know if anyone in the modern era could pass such a test, we lock our doors and have all kinds of weapons we see each other as threats when we are in reality one, the modern era has taken that away from us.

[@videogollumer]

Indeed, it's a lack of trust that divides us, both from each other and from God. Many haves fear that the have-nots wish to assault and steal from them, so they withdraw from them; and many have-nots fear that the haves won't be willing to give them what they need just by asking them and would turn them down, so they take it by force. Not all are like that, but there's enough out there for just about anyone to expect it.

[@Mr_Jester980]

It's because of those willing to use one's kindness for their selfish gain that the seed of distrust was sowed in the first place. I've heard many stories about how the victims got taken advantage of by those acting like homeless people, the disabled, etc., and how it's from their action that caused many people to not willing to help the real ones.

[@holymolymacaroni7503]

The narrator's voice is perfect with the animation perfectly showing the love betweent the couple, i love it so much

[@AnNguyenpilgrim]

the narrator's voice is so good that I almost cried at the end of the story.

[@dominicballinger6536]

I know a criticism with this is that "who would let a stranger into their home like that?", but I think it's a very important part of Greek culture. At least, that's what I got from reading The Odyssey. Hospitality for those who could not help themselves, or just in general, is a recurring theme that is present pretty much the entire way through. After all, the kindness you can show someone through hospitality can mean the world to them!

[@Oznerock]

Exactly! Their culture placed a heavy emphasis on it because travelers spread news, and helped trade. They were essential to ancient society, so people were taught to be hospitable... And to punish severely those who abuse that hospitality.

[@joyl7842]

These days it's probably a bad idea. Lots of criminals talk their way into people's homes in order to steal money and valuables. Most of the time it's elderly people who are victims of this practice.

[@kyleoliver5783]

This was a beautiful story for the couple.

[@Warrior1Spartan]

Makes me think of the song "The Christmas Guest". Amazing.

[@jacobshore5115]

For some reason, this reminds me of the Two Trees of Valinor in the Silmarillion, Laurelin (the Gold Tree) and Telperion (the Silver Tree).

[@dylatron4533]

Wait… I know this is heartwarming at all, but does that mean that out of everyone in the entire village only one family could survive?

[@pustota7254]

Yes

[@Oznerock]

​@@pustota7254Not if multiple people offered. They *rejected* the two. That's different from not having a chance to accept.

[@janderrickfernandez3993]

This does put a tear in my eye.

[@amrutjyotishinde341]

One of the most heartwarming and blissful love story...!!!🤩😍🥰

[@saikrishnathiwakarrk]

Zeus being zeus ,gave them a temple to pray to them, imagine kratos opening the door 😂😂😂

[@scotto9016]

Short answer, probably not. Long answer, cuz I’m hot, he’d impregnate me with the next demigod. Then I die to hera’s rage.

[@iamgreatalwaysgreat8209]

Sad.

[@damnyourpasswords]

what a beautiful little experience you offered us, ancient human story in sweet modern animation...

[@Perspectiveside]

Greek mythology can be so brutal but at the same time, so beautiful.

[@AxolotlTDM]

Philemon is such a unique name that no one I’ve met has that name except me. Hearing my name in this video is so weird.

[@videogollumer]

Did you know that Philemon is the name of a book in the New Testament of the Bible? It's only one chapter with twenty-five verses, but it was written as an epistle, a letter, by Paul the Apostle and Timothy to their friend, Philemon, a church leader in Colossae.

[@magouliana32]

The story is metaphorical, the villagers inhumanity and lack of hospitality to their fellow humans in need is what eventually destroyed them all. Zeus symbolizes the universal idea-entity of Justice among other things.

[@callmethecommentcountess9329]

Thank you for telling me this amazing story

[@uuuuuaaaaaaah3637]

Almost cried, really beautiful

[@professordreamer8479]

TED_ED can you do a video explaining Autocracy and leaders of countries who rule autocratically.

[@catd5307]

Am I the only one miffed that Zeus and Hermes essentially destroyed this couple’s house so that they can erect a temple in honor of the gods (in another words for themselves) instead of for the couple’s comfort? And it doesn’t at all mention anything about food and water so the couple most likely just starved or dehydrated to death.

[@mag5807]

I did not expect to cry with this video yet here I am

[@jameswong7046]

This story is so sweet is almost made me cry.

[@aoi_18]

Zeus and Hermes seem to have forgotten that a temple without worshippers is as good as no temple. The stories will remain, but piety won't.

[@videogollumer]

Ever heard of a pilgrimage?

[@aoi_18]

@@videogollumer valid point, but in the context of this story everyone in the vicinity is dead and the old couple eventually turn into trees, so a pilgrimage would hardly be possible unless some lucky traveller comes along and spreads the word. A god is only as powerful as the number of faithful they have.

[@Surgery7]

They didn't ask for their homies back,😐attitude changed mad quick.

[@wolfsbanealphas617]

Zeus would probably be outraged that they ask for the people that offended them back then punish the couple. Plus they is questioning his judgment a god

[@TheBalkanJoker]

The end was genuinely heart warming

[@ryandanny]

I love the fact that Ted-Ed improves the quality of their videos everytime! #hatsofftoyouguys

[@andaction.agency]

Thank you for your nice comment about animation, we really enjoyed the creation process❤

[@IMAVG]

This felt like more of an incredibly heartwarming love story than the lesson from Greek mythology

[@88Grimmjow]

"it was dark when two mysterious shrouded figures appeard on the hillside village to take a boy named Deimos, that is when it all began"

[@odysseasgalis]

One of your best videos so far! Philoxenia (greek hospitality) is still very important in Greece and most people know about this myth. Greeks used - and some still - put a statue or icon of Zeus at the entrance of their house just in case ;)

[@amyj.4992]

It's all about hospitality, especially when you see others ignoring someone asking for help. I've learned that growing up, be the kind person to the one person that others often overlook. Even if you don't have anything to give, wish them well and acknowledge their presence anyway. How beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍 Nature is forever