Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The Phoenix is one of the most well-known mythical creatures in the world, and holds a special place in many hearts due to its symbolism of resurrection. Dying in flame and rising from the ashes, the Phoenix is likely the world's most iconic symbol of rebirth. But many tellings miss what may be the most important part of the Phoenix myth; the dignity and honor with which it treats its past self.
We follow the Phoenix from its most ancient origins in Egypt as the Bennu, the radiantly rising bird sacred to the sun god, into Greek mythology through the works of Herodotus, and into the world through diverse works including the oldest Jewish play, Coptic Christian texts, and even the works of William Shakespeare.
In the millennia since its origins, the Phoenix is an enduring symbol of rebirth and resurrection, inspiring leaders in rejuvenating society, artists in reinventing culture, and all those who go through the journey of renewal, rising from the ashes of the old self.
Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.”
Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation!
Patreon: patreon.com/c/mythosandlogos
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Phoenix, from the Aberdeen Bestiary
00:54 Ancient Origins
00:59 Marble Bust of Herodotus, Rome, Second Century
01:14 Obelisk of Sesostris, Heliopolis
01:24 Herodotus, Histories, Book II
02:08 Pajuheru Papyrus, Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, photographed by Djehouty, licensed under Creative Commons
03:00 Cultural Rebirth
03:13 Chiron Teaching Achilles to Play the Lyre, Roman Fresco from Herculaneum, First Century
03:41 Phoenix, from the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel
03:48 The Burning of Troy by Dirck Verhaert
03:56 Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book XV
04:29 Aeneas Saving Anchises from Burning Troy by Adam Elsheimer
04:47 Queen Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard
05:03 20 Lepta Coin, Greece, First Hellenic Republic, photographed by Classical Numismatic Group, licensed under Creative Commons
05:34 Fable of the Phoenix by Aegidius Sadeler II
05:45 Phoenix Stained Glass, Saint Peter’s Church, Purgstall, Austria, photographed by BSonne, licensed under Creative Commons
06:22 The Reborn Soul
06:33 Roman Portrait of Lactantius or Apuleius, from the Bishop’s Museum, Trier
06:57 Phoenix by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder
07:04 The Phoenix by Cornelis Troost
07:13 Lactantius, The Phoenix
07:49 Phoenix, from the Aberdeen Bestiary
08:01 Panel with Phoenixes and Flowers, China, Fourteenth Century
08:09 Phoenix by Henry Justice Ford
08:20 Conclusion: The Human Phoenix
10:34 Outro
All works of art are public domain unless stated otherwise. Ambiment- The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
The Phoenix is one of the most well-known mythical creatures in the world, and holds a special place in many hearts due to its symbolism of resurrection. Dying in flame and rising from the ashes, the Phoenix is likely the world's most iconic symbol of rebirth. But many tellings miss what may be the most important part of the Phoenix myth; the dignity and honor with which it treats its past self.
We follow the Phoenix from its most ancient origins in Egypt as the Bennu, the radiantly rising bird sacred to the sun god, into Greek mythology through the works of Herodotus, and into the world through diverse works including the oldest Jewish play, Coptic Christian texts, and even the works of William Shakespeare.
In the millennia since its origins, the Phoenix is an enduring symbol of rebirth and resurrection, inspiring leaders in rejuvenating society, artists in reinventing culture, and all those who go through the journey of renewal, rising from the ashes of the old self.
Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.”
Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation!
Patreon: patreon.com/c/mythosandlogos
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Phoenix, from the Aberdeen Bestiary
00:54 Ancient Origins
00:59 Marble Bust of Herodotus, Rome, Second Century
01:14 Obelisk of Sesostris, Heliopolis
01:24 Herodotus, Histories, Book II
02:08 Pajuheru Papyrus, Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, photographed by Djehouty, licensed under Creative Commons
03:00 Cultural Rebirth
03:13 Chiron Teaching Achilles to Play the Lyre, Roman Fresco from Herculaneum, First Century
03:41 Phoenix, from the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel
03:48 The Burning of Troy by Dirck Verhaert
03:56 Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book XV
04:29 Aeneas Saving Anchises from Burning Troy by Adam Elsheimer
04:47 Queen Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard
05:03 20 Lepta Coin, Greece, First Hellenic Republic, photographed by Classical Numismatic Group, licensed under Creative Commons
05:34 Fable of the Phoenix by Aegidius Sadeler II
05:45 Phoenix Stained Glass, Saint Peter’s Church, Purgstall, Austria, photographed by BSonne, licensed under Creative Commons
06:22 The Reborn Soul
06:33 Roman Portrait of Lactantius or Apuleius, from the Bishop’s Museum, Trier
06:57 Phoenix by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder
07:04 The Phoenix by Cornelis Troost
07:13 Lactantius, The Phoenix
07:49 Phoenix, from the Aberdeen Bestiary
08:01 Panel with Phoenixes and Flowers, China, Fourteenth Century
08:09 Phoenix by Henry Justice Ford
08:20 Conclusion: The Human Phoenix
10:34 Outro
All works of art are public domain unless stated otherwise. Ambiment- The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
