This week, on Myths and Legends, we're back in Greek mythology with the origin story of Dionysus,

the last of the Olympians. We'll see Zeus blow a human woman's mind. Literally,

and how if your enemies are intense enough that they clean themselves up by having snakes lick them,

maybe take them seriously. The courage of this week is why, if you hear a stranger licking

your ceiling at night, you should not open your eyes. This is Myths and Legends Episode 195,

Stranger Danger. This is a podcast where I tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are

incredibly popular stories you'd think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories

that might be new to you, but are definitely worth listening. Today's episode is set in Greek

mythology, but it sits outside our main continuity. So if this is your first time hearing the podcast,

no worries. Waring Greek Myth, so think Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Hades, and so on.

And today's episode takes place in or around the ancient city of Thieves. After Cadmus founded it,

but before Etappus wrecks it. We'll start out with Zeus absolutely being Zeus.

But this time, this time things are different.

Zeus danced his way home. He was all smiles. He did that thing where you'd jump on a light pole

and spin around it, but then he realized light poles wouldn't be invented for what. 3000 years?

He quickly invented a light pole and then spun around. Zeus was smitten. He was in love.

It started like so many love stories often did. He was a deathless god in the form of an eagle,

and she was a priestess of his, struggling to hold down a calf as she was killing it for him.

I know, so common it might as well be a cliche.

Similarly, Cadmus's daughter caught his attention the day she slaughtered a calf at his altar,

the specks of blood catching her face in hair. He watched as she waited out into the river to wash

the blood from her face and clothes. It was at that moment. They'd realized everything he was looking

...