Overly Sarcastic Podcast · Overly Sarcastic Productions

OSPod Episode 117: Liutprand, the Muses, and a Literal Spicy Take!

·1 hr

This episode of the Overly Sarcastic Podcast features hosts Blue and Red discussing their recent video projects while both are recovering from illness. Blue's video explores the nine Muses of Greek mythology, examining their role beyond simple stories into ancient religious and philosophical contexts. Red's video is a historical deep dive and comedic takedown of the 10th-century Lombard historian and diplomat Liutprand of Cremona. Blue explains that the Muses are unique because, while frequently referenced, they lack the "funny ha ha" anecdotal myths of other gods, placing them in a more serious religious space. The discussion references Roman philosopher Cicero's work "On the Nature of the Gods" to illustrate how ancient people often viewed myths as non-literal forces, not as factual accounts. Blue contrasts this with modern pop culture assumptions that ancient Greeks literally believed gods lived on Mount Olympus, pointing out the historical sanctuary there. Red describes her video as starting from a joke but evolving into a thesis about Liutprand being a terrible historian who is nonetheless a crucial primary source. She highlights a memorable scene where the Byzantines verbally berate Liutprand, which existed in her mind "fully formed." The video uses custom "chibi" art for Liutprand, Frankensteined from previous character designs, including eyes originally drawn for Snorri Sturluson. A surprising insight is that analyzing the Muses reveals how ancient myths were attempts to model the universe with the tools available, akin to pre-atomic theories of elements. Red argues that critiquing flawed historical figures like Liutprand is valid because "they could have chosen to not suck," and she finds it frustrating that his biased accounts remain essential for historians. The hosts also touch on the "Brothers Grimm effect," where folktales like "Cinderella" evolved from stories about harsh mother-in-laws training replacements into tales of cruel stepmothers. The tone is highly conversational, humorous, and digressive, filled with personal anecdotes and witty asides about con crud and cold remedies. The style is educational but delivered through a lens of sarcastic commentary and clear personal enthusiasm for the subjects. History buffs, mythology enthusiasts, and fans of comedic historical criticism will love this episode. Listeners seeking a tightly structured, single-topic narrative or those unfamiliar with the hosts' inside jokes might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A sick-day hangout that turns banter, panic, and movie trauma into one very listenable hour.

The episode begins like a very online hangout and gradually finds its shape: one host is sick, the other is on tea after a busy C2E2 weekend, and the conversation keeps bouncing between jokes, convention talk, and banter that feels worked out in real time.

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Why you'd press play

You want a sick-day Q&A that starts chaotic and ends on something true.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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