The Tower of the Elephant: More Than Sword & Sorcery | Conan the Barbarian Lore & Analysis

In the Hyborian Age, there was no figure more legendary than Conan the Cimmerian. A barbarian born and bred in the wastelands of the north, Conan’s life was one of savage greatness. He was a king, a pirate, a mercenary, a warrior. But in his early days, when he first left Cimmeria to scour the lands in the south, Conan was a thief. In The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard, Conan attempted the grandest heist of his life, and one that was far more absurd than he could’ve predicted. So, what’s the story of The Tower of the Elephant, and what makes it so great? Why do I believe it to be the best sword & sorcery story of all time? Let’s explore…
Disclaimer: The art used in this video does not belong to me, and is intended to fall under Fair Use.
0:00 Introduction
1:17 The Story: Part I
2:41 The Story: Part II
6:08 The Story: Part III
10:08 Analysis
12:03 Conclusion
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Music:
Epic Cinematic, Dark Score - Liborio Conti
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[@Sanguivore]

The first story I read by Howard, and my favorite to this day! :D

[@swehumorofficial]

I always associated Yag-kosha with Chaugnar Faugn, a Great Old One created by Frank Belknap Long (a mutual friend and collaborator of H. P. Lovecraft, whose expanded multiverse includes the majority of Howard's works) around the same time that The Tower of the Elephant was written.
Both are, after all, depicted as ancient aliens of vaguely humanoid shape with the head of an elephant, possessing a maddening visage and immense wisdom as well as vampiric qualities, who came to earth from a distant world beyond the known stars, and appear as still idols until choosing to reveal themselves. Both are also abused in some way by humans (Yag-kosha directly through deception and torture, and Chaugnar Faugn indirectly by the theft and humiliation of its idol) and end up desiring revenge.
The difference being, of course, that Yag-kosha is a benevolent scholar, and Chaugnar Faugn a terrifying god.

[@Sanguivore]

Great insight! 🥰

[@brettbradshaw3297]

Easily Howard’s best!

[@trevorstevenson4038]

Interesting story. This is the first one I have heard. Is it longer?

[@ExploringFiction]

No, this video summarizes the entire story "The Tower of the Elephant". However, there are many more stories centering around the character of Conan that Robert E. Howard wrote, telling stories of many different adventures the character had throughout his life!

[@maxschreck4095]

Probably my favourite Conan Story!

[@ExploringFiction]

Agreed!

[@user-tc6ji4iw4p]

how does Conan blend in looking like he does???