This is by far the friendliest version of this myth that I've heard. The most gruesome had Maestra being turned into a donkey instead of being gifted shape-shifting power. She went back to her father, who recognised that the donkey was his child, but was so mad from his endless hunger that he ate her alive. And I also remember that Demeter had sent the nymph instead of going herself cause the goddess of agriculture and the goddess of hunger and famine were polar opposites to such an extent that they physically could not be in or near each other's presence. I still love this myth so much.
A common trope in Greek myth is the hubris of humans, which is why the man thought himself of greater importance than that of the sacred grove that belonged to the goddess. You could see it as an implicit sign of many other things too. The way he treated the tree, disregarded Demeter's authority and lastly how he exploits his daughter until the very end. It's one of the few moralist myths where the lesson is to show respect to the women in your life (something that reportedly didn't happen a lot in Greek society at the time). There's also the cautionary tale to daughters that bet too hard on being loyal and dutiful to their fathers, but the lesson there only hits hard enough on the version of the tale in which cannibalism happens.
What if he thought it was just Red sap and not blood like dragon's blood tree🤔 I most people nowadays would also think of it as red sap not blood and maybe check if they didn't accidentally cut an animal inside the tree's burrow
You'd think seeing global climate and ecological crises would be a sign for humans to NOT continue in the ways that are destroying the earth but well...
What I wanna know is how did he keep finding buyers after Mestra made a habit of slipping away. "Don't buy from that guy. He's selling the Greek version of Houdini."
I feel like at that point it "well, we are smart. If all these other people bought her, she must be valuable. We won"t lose her like all those other idiots."
nice intepretation! For me it was more about the king being "hungry" for material goods, so he was cursed with being literally hungry until he died from hunger lol
I read it that he ran back into the forest and pleaded to Demeter but she refused to respond and he started to eat his limbs.By morning,there was nothing left
I've loved the King Erysichthon myth ever since I was a child. It's so cruel and bizarre. In the book I read, Erysichthon ate up his body, leaving just a bunch of teeth.
@user-ob4sq6fi3s OSPs amazing take was that Greek gods were considered more as a reflection of what was true. Hera being the goddess of marriage is going to be pissed af being married to a cheater like Zeus, because that's what happens. She takes marriage vows seriously. Except divorce isn't a thing, and she can't directly retaliate against him (because he has more power than her) so she acts out in anyway she can.
I feel like the endless hunger is a metaphor for addiction. Addictions are horrible illnesses for everyone involved (except food sellers), but it's slightly comforting to know that, at least, even people from thousands of years ago can relate to that suffering.
I remember this story but this is the more family friendly version. The version I first knew about had the king run back to the forest where it all began and devour himself until he ate himself out of existence. Suffice to say, I prefer this version a lot better. I think he also tried to eat his daughter in that darker version of the story too...
@@maxandlily6074 Exactly. How come there is such an unexplained process in this story that begins with a magical bleeding tree that's home to a wood nymph? It's as if the story is only allegorical and practical details don't matter.
Why hasn't this guy appeared in the Percy Jackson series. He is a perfect villain. He could in an all you can eat buffet, forcing people to bring him more food or risk being eaten alive.
In Ovid's retelling of the story, Mestra returned to her father as a donkey after being transformed into one by the gods to escape being sold into slavery, only for her father to eat her in her transformed state just to sate his hunger (don't worry, the gods helped her escape again). Erysichthon crawled back to the grove where he spurned Demeter begging for forgiveness, and when that was not given, he ate himself in his hunger until there was nothing was left of him on Earth by morning.
Nope, he never eats her, and neither is transformed into a donkey, and neither he apologizes for Demeter. This video is exactly the story told by Ovid, and neither of those things you described happened in Ovid.
The version I had watched was more gruesome. The channel might be familiar with folks but this one is also a good version. Glad Mestra has been freed. Shape-shifting sounds awesome!
Any other version you read is modern stuff, the two original versions comes from Callimachus and Ovid and both are the same as the one from this video.
I am greek but surprisingly never heard about this myth before. I don't know how I missed it, but I am certainly glad this video was my introduction to it, I am always here for TED-ED's retelling of greek myths!
I know a lot of myths, mythology is one of my biggest interests, and this one is easily my favorite. I don't know why, but it truly embodies greek mythology for me
Jesus loves you ❤️Please turn to him and repent and receive Salvation before it's too late. The end times written about in the Bible are already happening in the world. Jesus is the son of God and he died for our sins on the cross and God raised him from the dead on the third day. Jesus is waiting for you with open arms but time is running out. Please repent and turn to him before it is too late. Accept Jesus into your heart and invite him to be Lord and saviour of your life and confess and believe that Jesus is Lord, that he died for your sins on the cross and that God raised him from the dead. Confess that you are a sinner in need of God's Grace and ask God to forgive you for all your sins through Jesus. Jesus loves you. Nothing can compare to how he loves you. When he hung on that cross, he thought of you. As they tore open his back, he thought of your prayer time with him. As the thorns dug into his head, he thought of you spending time in the word of God. As the spears went into his side, he imagined embracing you in heaven.
I remember reading this myth about this foul Thessalian monarch by way of Stephen Fry. But I don't remember that the female character had a happy ending. This is amazing!
Here is my take on this fantasy, the greedy king unknowingly got infected with tapeworms. Without proper treatment, he can eat to infinity and beyond but, still remain hungry.
Whoa, it came out of the sky Landed just a little south of Moline Jody fell out of his tractor Couldn't b'lieve what he seen, oh Laid on the ground shook Fearin' for his life Then he ran all the way to town Screamin', "It came out of the sky"
"I need some lumber. Fell the most magnificent tree in the sacred grove." "But, sir, it's...sacred." "Yeah. I know. I need some sacred wood for my sacred hall." "Sir, the sacred oak is bleeding." "Good. That means it's healthy." "Now it's moaning." "Then put it out of its misery, man." "The wood nymphs are swearing that the gods will know of our heresy." "Then we better clear the forest while we can. Chop-chop." "Sir, you've consumed the city's entire yeild of crops." "Sell my daughter." "She ran away." "Send out a search party." "Literally everyone hates you." "Behead them." "Your child has returned to speak with you." "Sell her again." "She a man, tho?" "Sell my manchild." "But--" "Cut off my legs." "What?" "and cook them for me."
In some versions, she returns to her father in the form of a donkey, but cannot shapeshift, so can't return to human form. He recognizes her and says, "I'm sorry, but I need more" before devouring her.
The story really isn't about her; Ted-Ed just MADE it about her for this video. The actual story is about Erysichthon, who btw is just plain a horrible person overall.
This would be a terrifying disease to start a zombie apocalypse, insatiable hunger, increased metabolism, and eventually insanity. With hunger comes desperation and madness, what if every human and animal felt this hunger? How would earth survive such a catastrophic plauge? Food for thought, pun intended.
This story is very sad and still relevant to this day in most poor countries. Children being sold by their parents to help the family to get by not because of greed. The father obviously got food adiction its an illness now and should not be taken lightly.
@ted-ed I notice you haven't done a myth story about Apollo. Please do, love these, and also I really enjoy the ones that come from other ancient cultures.
Inspires me to stop eating so much. And realize that gluttony is ungodly, & not of God and one of the seven deadly sins. Thank you for this inspired reminder.
This is by far the friendliest version of this myth that I've heard.
The most gruesome had Maestra being turned into a donkey instead of being gifted shape-shifting power. She went back to her father, who recognised that the donkey was his child, but was so mad from his endless hunger that he ate her alive.
And I also remember that Demeter had sent the nymph instead of going herself cause the goddess of agriculture and the goddess of hunger and famine were polar opposites to such an extent that they physically could not be in or near each other's presence.
I still love this myth so much.
Me too 😅
She DID send the nymph in this version, it was a mountain nymph.
@@Alizudo I had heard it. I just heard the reason for sending the nymph from another hearing of the myth.
@@AlbertM170 That makes more sense, I understand.
I was thinking that this greek myth had a weirdly not-horrific fate of a daughter
I'm a simple man; I see a TED-ED Video on Greek Mythology, I click
Me as well.
We're just men, innocent men
Word
how did you know that
Real
You'd think seeing a bleeding tree that spoke would be a sign for him to NOT cut the tree but to each their own 🤷🏾♀️
A common trope in Greek myth is the hubris of humans, which is why the man thought himself of greater importance than that of the sacred grove that belonged to the goddess.
You could see it as an implicit sign of many other things too. The way he treated the tree, disregarded Demeter's authority and lastly how he exploits his daughter until the very end. It's one of the few moralist myths where the lesson is to show respect to the women in your life (something that reportedly didn't happen a lot in Greek society at the time).
There's also the cautionary tale to daughters that bet too hard on being loyal and dutiful to their fathers, but the lesson there only hits hard enough on the version of the tale in which cannibalism happens.
@@justahorse2020 thank you i was looking for comment explaining this
😂😂😂
What if he thought it was just Red sap and not blood like dragon's blood tree🤔 I most people nowadays would also think of it as red sap not blood and maybe check if they didn't accidentally cut an animal inside the tree's burrow
You'd think seeing global climate and ecological crises would be a sign for humans to NOT continue in the ways that are destroying the earth but well...
What I wanna know is how did he keep finding buyers after Mestra made a habit of slipping away. "Don't buy from that guy. He's selling the Greek version of Houdini."
I feel like at that point it "well, we are smart. If all these other people bought her, she must be valuable. We won"t lose her like all those other idiots."
Bro was the Ea-Nasir of Greece 😂
@@leotamer5ancient greek NFTs
@@ThatOneElfEnjoyer The customer of this one doesnt file a complain though.
Publicity, maybe? People wanting to see if the stories were true or if those guys were just idiots?
I love it when Ted Ed makes mythology videos
Me too bro.
Mythology = where all religions go to die.
@@RushFan84Correction
Where all are remembered.
They changed the myth to inject their jewish agenda into it.
I think that this story captures the essence of addiction and the havoc that it can wreak on families.
nice intepretation!
For me it was more about the king being "hungry" for material goods, so he was cursed with being literally hungry until he died from hunger lol
@@Trollimo I think our ambitions can lead us to consume ourselves.
It’s actually more like don’t mess with nature
This version is more light-hearted than the one I had read before. His hunger became so strong that he completely consumed himself.
Damn
Thats pretty metal
ruclips.net/video/kdrTQlClb08/видео.html. that's all i gotta say.
He did try to repent
I read it that he ran back into the forest and pleaded to Demeter but she refused to respond and he started to eat his limbs.By morning,there was nothing left
mf turned into a blackhole 💀
This is actually one of my favorite Greek myths, glad you chose it for this video!
I've been in love with Iseult's voice for 5 years now. In addition to my love for the myth's videos in particular. Thanks TED
Read the credits. Iseult Gillespie is the writer, not the narrator. The narrator's name is Susan Zimmerman.
@@KingsleyIII Thanks a lot for the correction. Now I'm love with both of them 😅❤️
Myths are not stories that are simply untrue, rather they tell us something about ourselves and the societies we live in.
This story in particular tells that if you can become anything, become a fisherman
They changed the myth to inject their jewish agenda into it.
Absolutely, also I relate with your username
They are simply untrue
Although in this case it is simply untrue. Thanks for the insightful comment
TedEd animators never disappoints
That's true
What a wonderful masterpiece
They changed the myth to inject their jewish agenda into it.
Don't forget the narrators ❤
I've loved the King Erysichthon myth ever since I was a child. It's so cruel and bizarre.
In the book I read, Erysichthon ate up his body, leaving just a bunch of teeth.
Do the teeth move?
@@maxandlily6074ofc not how can teeth move
And to think that Demeter is considered a relatively friendly, placid goddess.
Imagine what the likes of Hera would have done to that guy 😬
i would've enjoyed the seen. I mean the dude had it coming
@@imyself7334 for certain
I mean, Demeter nearly froze the entire mortal world when her daughter went missing, I wouldn't call her friendly
@@NBluth yeah, but she did so out of grief. Not out of anger, jealousy and pettiness like Hera would
@user-ob4sq6fi3s OSPs amazing take was that Greek gods were considered more as a reflection of what was true.
Hera being the goddess of marriage is going to be pissed af being married to a cheater like Zeus, because that's what happens. She takes marriage vows seriously.
Except divorce isn't a thing, and she can't directly retaliate against him (because he has more power than her) so she acts out in anyway she can.
I'm watching this video on an empty stomach, and realise that Demeter's revenge was torture
Something about having a hunger that becomes more ravenous as you eat is deeply unsettling to me.
"the more he ate the hungrier he became" ah, a teenager
Or when its that time of the month
Relatable😂@@Firepuma27
@@Firepuma27 so he's a teen girl on her time of month
I feel like the endless hunger is a metaphor for addiction. Addictions are horrible illnesses for everyone involved (except food sellers), but it's slightly comforting to know that, at least, even people from thousands of years ago can relate to that suffering.
On top of that, it shows the power of codependency
the animation styles and colors from TED-Ed are consistently unique and so beautiful!
Yet another beautiful video! Thanks for sharing TEDEd!
I remember this story but this is the more family friendly version. The version I first knew about had the king run back to the forest where it all began and devour himself until he ate himself out of existence. Suffice to say, I prefer this version a lot better. I think he also tried to eat his daughter in that darker version of the story too...
In some versions, he did eat her.
How could he eat himself out of existence if his mouth is still on his face?
@@maxandlily6074 🤷♂️
@@maxandlily6074 Exactly. How come there is such an unexplained process in this story that begins with a magical bleeding tree that's home to a wood nymph? It's as if the story is only allegorical and practical details don't matter.
Wait wait wait, I stopped watching cause I knew this myth involved him eating himself.
Yay it's been a while since we got a myth video
TED Ed's myths, a timeless delight,
With tales that spark imagination's flight.
This was more a story of Mestra than that of Demeter's revenge.
Well the Ovid version that this video is focused on is more about Mestra. Is Callimachus version that is more about Demeter.
Why hasn't this guy appeared in the Percy Jackson series. He is a perfect villain.
He could in an all you can eat buffet, forcing people to bring him more food or risk being eaten alive.
Percy tells his story in Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods
@@3lizabethrose Have not got to read it yet, but you just gave me SERIOUS reason to do so.
Spoilers
I think his daughter is a ancestor of Frank (Who is told his ancestors were granted the power to turn into animals by Poseidon)
@@tofftiggyOMG STOP THAT MIGHT BE TRUEE
@@tofftiggythe ancestor in question is Periclymenus, not Mestra. Periclymenus could also shapeshift thanks to Poseidon.
I love the ted ed greek mythology videos so much i think i’ve watched them all like 6 times
In Ovid's retelling of the story, Mestra returned to her father as a donkey after being transformed into one by the gods to escape being sold into slavery, only for her father to eat her in her transformed state just to sate his hunger (don't worry, the gods helped her escape again). Erysichthon crawled back to the grove where he spurned Demeter begging for forgiveness, and when that was not given, he ate himself in his hunger until there was nothing was left of him on Earth by morning.
Nope, he never eats her, and neither is transformed into a donkey, and neither he apologizes for Demeter. This video is exactly the story told by Ovid, and neither of those things you described happened in Ovid.
You mean See U In History's version. Ovid's version is exactly the same as this one minus the stronger emphasis on Mestra's perspective.
Your mythology series is my favorite, Ted-Ed ❤
The version I had watched was more gruesome. The channel might be familiar with folks but this one is also a good version. Glad Mestra has been freed. Shape-shifting sounds awesome!
Any other version you read is modern stuff, the two original versions comes from Callimachus and Ovid and both are the same as the one from this video.
I am greek but surprisingly never heard about this myth before. I don't know how I missed it, but I am certainly glad this video was my introduction to it, I am always here for TED-ED's retelling of greek myths!
Ted Ed never fails to amuse viewers with their animation and captivating narration! 👏👌
I love Greek mythology!! Thanks for uploading myths :))!!
When you start watching Te-Ed videos you know its time to stop procrastinating
I know a lot of myths, mythology is one of my biggest interests, and this one is easily my favorite. I don't know why, but it truly embodies greek mythology for me
if i were to argue with this person I would get hit with so much Greek myths to the point where it offends my ancestors
"I know from grass, and your behind bears a strong familial resemblance"
Was suggested this video after watching OSP do theirs, both great vids!
This is me just on a daily basis. Cursed with endless hunger. 😂😂😂
Jesus loves you ❤️Please turn to him and repent and receive Salvation before it's too late. The end times written about in the Bible are already happening in the world. Jesus is the son of God and he died for our sins on the cross and God raised him from the dead on the third day. Jesus is waiting for you with open arms but time is running out. Please repent and turn to him before it is too late. Accept Jesus into your heart and invite him to be Lord and saviour of your life and confess and believe that Jesus is Lord, that he died for your sins on the cross and that God raised him from the dead. Confess that you are a sinner in need of God's Grace and ask God to forgive you for all your sins through Jesus.
Jesus loves you. Nothing can compare to how he loves you. When he hung on that cross, he thought of you. As they tore open his back, he thought of your prayer time with him. As the thorns dug into his head, he thought of you spending time in the word of God. As the spears went into his side, he imagined embracing you in heaven.
This you? ruclips.net/video/S-XEINagmaU/видео.html
aren't we all 😭😢
u don't eat ur limbs like he did
Persephone , Demeter and Hades talking on this= amazing
never been this early. it's like getting a newspaper hot off the press lol
I honestly think no one has explained the feeling better than this, thank you
waking up from a feasting dream with insatiable hunger is so relatable
Do you know how badly I want A Dragon-drawn Chariot!?!?
Hubris and Greek myths are a standard pair.
I remember this story from Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (with some variation from this video). 😅
I think you confuse it with the story of tantalus who fed his kids to the gods to make a point
@@GothPaokiah no Percy actually narrated it but Demeter instead rages on Erich and Hunger doesnt appear
YES
It would be AMAZINGGG if TED-ED made videos of Indian mythology in the same fashion !!!!
Myths are not stories that are untrue, rather they are stories that don’t fit neatly into the historical record. -Extra History
I love that channel
I have read many myths from around the world, and I have never heard of this one before! How delightful to encounter a new one (to me).
The legendary Ted ed Has done it again my fellow Greek mythology lovers 😇
This is fascinating that a culture thousands of years ago, believed that trees also have life. Plant life was discovered only a few hundred years ago.
King Erysichthon sounds like someone I’d love to invite over for lunch.
I remember reading this myth about this foul Thessalian monarch by way of Stephen Fry. But I don't remember that the female character had a happy ending. This is amazing!
Stephen Fry only wrote fan fic, not greek mythology. The story in this video is the same as Callimachus an Ovid.
This video made me hungry. I hope Demeter takes pity.
One lesson i could take from this is that she was free right from the beginning it was only her choice the brings the illusion she was caged.
1:34 one of the worst atrocities:deforestation
5:47 caught me so off guard
Wow, the story was deeper than I though.
I absolutely love your mythology videos
out of all the cool things she could have turned into to escape her captor she choose a fishermen... 👀
Animation from Ted Ed is always spectacular ✨️ 👌
I was expecting something related to Persephone tbh. This was a nice one too
I love TED-Ed videos and I've never heard of this myth before!
Here is my take on this fantasy, the greedy king unknowingly got infected with tapeworms. Without proper treatment, he can eat to infinity and beyond but, still remain hungry.
Okay, another great story before the day ends.❤
I love these stories along with the smooth animations ❤❤
❤Awesome as always thanks
Whoa, it came out of the sky
Landed just a little south of Moline
Jody fell out of his tractor
Couldn't b'lieve what he seen, oh
Laid on the ground shook
Fearin' for his life
Then he ran all the way to town
Screamin', "It came out of the sky"
That's really a good representation of those Greek mythology...
This is a cautionary tale for modern mankind. Our insatiable hunger for wealth will be our demise.
Great video 👍
"I need some lumber. Fell the most magnificent tree in the sacred grove."
"But, sir, it's...sacred."
"Yeah. I know. I need some sacred wood for my sacred hall."
"Sir, the sacred oak is bleeding."
"Good. That means it's healthy."
"Now it's moaning."
"Then put it out of its misery, man."
"The wood nymphs are swearing that the gods will know of our heresy."
"Then we better clear the forest while we can. Chop-chop."
"Sir, you've consumed the city's entire yeild of crops."
"Sell my daughter."
"She ran away."
"Send out a search party."
"Literally everyone hates you."
"Behead them."
"Your child has returned to speak with you."
"Sell her again."
"She a man, tho?"
"Sell my manchild."
"But--"
"Cut off my legs."
"What?"
"and cook them for me."
we all have insatiable hunger, we just perpetually temporarily reduce it enough not to feel it.
Let go your earthly tether
Enter the void
Empty and become wind...
Reminds me of that
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.
In some versions, she returns to her father in the form of a donkey, but cannot shapeshift, so can't return to human form. He recognizes her and says, "I'm sorry, but I need more" before devouring her.
What a devoted daughter 😢 she should find her freedom instead of keep helping that horrible of a father
The story really isn't about her; Ted-Ed just MADE it about her for this video. The actual story is about Erysichthon, who btw is just plain a horrible person overall.
In some versions, the king actually eats himself into oblivion, right down to the mouth so that nothing is left for Mestra to discover.
Thank you for this! 😊
Actually, the goddess of famine/starvation's real name was Limos (Greek for starvation)
So this video is not wrong.
I love this animation style!
This would be a terrifying disease to start a zombie apocalypse, insatiable hunger, increased metabolism, and eventually insanity. With hunger comes desperation and madness, what if every human and animal felt this hunger? How would earth survive such a catastrophic plauge? Food for thought, pun intended.
The animation work is excellent 👌🏼
Thank you!
Its so sad to see the Ancient Greeks portray the sins of the Father pass on to(or adversely affected) the children. There is truth to this, of course.
Wallmart bike!customers and Karens :
*_“ARE YOU CHALLENGING ME ?!??”_*
Mistra is like someone drawn to a toxic relationship, like a moth to light
This story is very sad and still relevant to this day in most poor countries. Children being sold by their parents to help the family to get by not because of greed. The father obviously got food adiction its an illness now and should not be taken lightly.
The king should be pitied, as anyone should, for suffering a fate worse than death
And you messed my head up 5:43 right here.
In contrast to the rest of the comments, I think him having eateb hisnown limbs is MUCH creepier than him eating his whole self
Moral of the story: Do not destroy the highest tree of Demeter, Greek Goddess of the Agriculture and Food, or you eat yourself.
The story sounds a lot like aot king's fritz relationship with ymir and her daughters Maria,rose and Sina
@ted-ed I notice you haven't done a myth story about Apollo. Please do, love these, and also I really enjoy the ones that come from other ancient cultures.
Huh, I never knew this particular myth!
This is such a sad story. Poor girl.
The myth was never focused on her; Ted-Ed just twisted it to be.
Inspires me to stop eating so much. And realize that gluttony is ungodly, & not of God and one of the seven deadly sins.
Thank you for this inspired reminder.
I thought the lesson was that Capitalism only consumes.
@@MaximillianRobesphere Capitalism came around much much later the ancient Greeks wouldn't even be able write about it
@@hazzmati Is it still not gluttonous to be capitalistic? To aim for more and more, actively destroying the lives around you?
Dude needed that Ozempic
Tiresias is a Greek myth that's pretty overlooked.
"Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them." - François-René de Chateaubriand
In another version, he ate his daughter (but Poseidon intervened and turned her into a butterfly) while he ends up consuming himself out of existence
He never ates her in no version.
Great story.
“Ooaauuugghhh, me so hungy!” - Homer Simpson
This cart is making me hungry like King Erysichthon.