Ancient stories and astral myths about the stars and constellations
with spectacular soundscapes, based on the Greco-Roman myths behind the constellations. Written and directed by Bibi Jacob, these moving and sometimes humorous tales, brim with tragedy, injustice, and violence.
Each of our podcasts tells you the stories behind the stars and constellations, beginning with Greek & Roman mythology.
Discover the story behind one of the best known constellations: Ursa Major, the Great Bear. This is the tale of Callisto, an Arcadian princess, who follows her dreams only to find herself confronting tragedy after tragedy. Listen to Callisto recount her devastating story, her painful metamorphosis and her astonishing, final transformation.
With: Emily Ingham, Elizabeth Ingham, Shelly De Vito. A huge thank you to Shelly, Jean-Paul and Mitchell
As if Callisto’s own life wasn’t tragic enough, in this episode we discover the horror that her baby son, Arcas, suffered. A tale of infanticide and cannibalism originating from the sins of the fathers.
Who on earth was Ursa Minor before she became a constellation? Find out in this light-hearted interview.
With Shelly De Vito as the talk show host and Bibi Jacob as the Little Bear.
Song written and performed by Bibi Jacob
Special thanks to Jean-Paul (for being a star). The interview was recorded at Quali’Sons Studio, Paris
Sit with Andromeda in the face of her oncoming death and witness her final moments. Her parents – King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea – are organising their daughter’s demise. Will Vanity triumph over Love?
An electrifying retelling of one of the most famous Greek myths.
At the heart of the Perseus-Andromeda myth lies the strange story of Medusa. In this in-between episode, enter Medusa’s cave, at the ends of the earth, to find out if she really was a monster.
With thanks to Yoav.
How does the celebrated Ancient Greek hero, Perseus, change the course of Andromeda’s destiny and seal Medusa’s fate? And what does it really mean to be a hero?
With Sharon Mann as Athena, Chris Mack as Hermes, Hester Wilcox as Danaë, Dario Costa as King Polydectes
Perseus is not happy and he’s about to tell you why.
Starring Doug Rand as Perseus
A gold-tipped arrow, a gilded casket, a snake-tailed child and two drops of the gorgon’s blood. The goddess Athena narrates her tale of love and power.
Starring Sharon Mann as Athena
With Dario Costa as Hephaestus and Homer, Morag Cross as Daughter 2 and Bibi Jacob as Erichthonius and Daughter 1
Written and directed by Bibi Jacob
Production and sound design by Geoff Chong
Special thanks to Christine Hooper and to Jean-Paul Palmyre
Recorded at Studio Quali’sons, Paris (Morag Cross recorded in London)
Quote from Martin Hammond’s translation of Homer’s Iliad (4.17)
What happened to the two drops of blood Erichthonius received from Athena? This intimate and moving diary reveals all.
Starring Morag Cross as Creusa
Oboe playing by Morag Cross
Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob
Production and sound design by Geoff Chong
Corvus, the crow, is set to watch Apollo’s lover, the Princess Coronis. But when boundaries are transgressed, the consequences are gruesome in this tale of jealousy, rage and regret.
Starring Nigel Pilkington as Corvus
Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob
Production and sound design by Geoff Chong
Enter the realm of dreams with Asclepius as he has to make the most difficult decision of his life. A decision that may lead to his death.
Starring David Stanley as Asclepius, Sharon Mann as Athena, Bibi Jacob as Hygeia, Morag Cross as the Attendant, Chris Mack as Theseus, Gordon Peaston as Chiron, Christina Batman as Panacea
Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob.
Production, sound design by Geoff Chong.
This podcast was made possible with the support of Studio Quali’sons, Paris. A huge thank you, as ever, to Jean-Paul Palmyre.
A big thanks to Morag Cross.
An eclectic episode about plagues, magical arrows, cyclops and writer’s block.
Written and presented by Bibi Jacob
Production and sound design by Geoff Chong
Much of the information about Abaris comes from kiwihellenist.blogspot.com
Thanks to Pål Martin Tvete for recommending Tim Harford’s ‘Cautionary Tales’.
Fly with me into this tapestry of tales, to mountains full of mythical beings. The winged horse Pegasus, the Muses, some gods, a centaur, the Chimaera, an anti-hero and a gadfly await you.
This episode was written by Morag Cross.
Directed and narrated by Bibi Jacob.
Production and sound design by Geoff Chong.
Starring Morag Cross as Hippe and the Gadfly.
Gordon Peaston as Chiron.
Dario Costa as Poseidon.
And Sharon Mann as Athena.
The Ukelele was played by Morag Cross.
**SPOILER ALERT** This is an unofficial constellation myth!
A strange phone call in the middle of the night leads to a conversation with a constellation.
Written, directed and presented by Bibi Jacob.
A big thank you to Mateo Oxley for his collaboration on the story.
Starring Mateo Oxley as Equuleus. And featuring Geoff Chong.
Ian Ridpath’s Star Myths was a very helpful source.
Robert Graves, The Greek Myths
‘Greece is the home of the gods; they may have died but their presence still makes itself felt. The gods were of human proportion: they were created out of the human spirit.’ Henry Miller, The Colossus of Maroussi
Then Man was born:… though all other animals are prone, and fix their gaze upon the earth, he gave to Man an uplifted face and bade him stand erect and turn his eyes to heaven.”
Ovid, Metamorphoses
276 - 194 BC Mathematician, astronomer, geographer... He became the third director of the Great Library of Alexandria. His book on astral mythology, the Catasterisms, compiled in the third century, provided the first full collection of constellation myths. His text has not survived but much of what he wrote is recorded in the astral myths of Hyginus.
190 - 120 BC Greek astronomer, mathematician, considered by many to be the greatest astronomer of antiquity. He created the first star catalogue of the ancient world.
100 - 170 AD Claudius Ptolemy, a Greek mathematician, astronomer and astrologer wrote many works including The Almagest, a treatise on astronomy. It contained a star catalogue listing 48 constellations. These are known as the 'ancient' constellations and the names are still in use today .
copyright ©Monkey & Bird 2021
Credits: timelapse video by TimeLapse in Japan; background images – Haemisphaerium Stellatum Australe Antiquum & Haemisphaerium Stellatum Boreale Antiquum in Andreas Cellarius, Harmonia Macrocosmica.
Production, sound design and visuals by Geoff Chong