00:00 Stephen Fry joins the podcast to discuss Greek mythology and the significance of the Trojan War in the overall narrative of Greek myth.

05:36 The Trojan War is an event that people argue about and its historicity only became clearer in the late 19th century with Schliemann's excavations, and the personalities and complexity of the Greek mythological figures evolve and become more resolved as the stories progress.

11:19 The complexity and multiple interpretations of the characters in Greek mythology, such as Helen, are fascinating and challenging to blend together when writing about them, with a natural inclination to side with the Greeks but also feeling admiration and respect for characters like Priam and Hector.

17:01 Writing about the violence and codes of conduct in Greek mythology for a modern audience that values non-violence and different cultural norms can be a challenging task for historians and storytellers.

22:15 The small moments of human interaction in Homer's Iliad make the story feel real and relatable, even for modern audiences.

27:45 Greek mythology, unlike fantasy franchises, has a sense of belonging and a connection between reality and symbolism that appeals to children and allows them to feel like they can belong in that world.

33:08 Greek mythology has a sense of authenticity and rootedness that appeals to children and allows them to feel like they can belong in that world, unlike single-authored fantasy worlds like Tolkien's or Narnia.

38:33 Greek mythology is unique because it reflects the Greeks' fascination with the complexity and contradictions of human behavior, which is evident in their plays and philosophy, unlike other civilizations that did not have a similar record of examining human motive.

44:20 Athena is a complex and multifaceted deity, and her choice of Odysseus and the Athenians reflects their cunning and intelligence, while the origin story of Athens highlights the value placed on the olive as a symbol of civilization and prosperity.

49:57 The stories of Greek mythology have been shaped and transmitted over thousands of years, from oral traditions to written versions by poets like Hesiod and Homer, and while Stephen Fry feels both free to tell these folk stories and unworthy of their perfection, he hopes to avoid dating the language used in his retellings and believes there is still an audience of children who appreciate discovering old stories in libraries.

55:25 Stephen Fry and the host discuss the enduring popularity and relevance of Greek myths, noting that even without a society and education system centered around studying these myths, people are still drawn to them and continue to retell and reinterpret them in various forms, suggesting that they will endure forever.