Skip to main content
Back to Show
Monstrum

The Macabre Origins of the Grim Reaper

Season 3 Episode 9

There are fewer images of Death personified than the scythe-wielding skeletal form of the Grim Reaper. But where did it come from? You may have heard that this haunting figure emerged as a result of the Black Plague, but that’s only a fraction of the story. This episode looks at the long history of skeletal Death in religion, literature, art, and pop culture.

Only Available with Passport Starting
Support Provided By
Season
Golem: The Mysterious Clay Monster of Jewish Lore
6:16
Golem: The Mysterious Clay Monster of Jewish Lore
The Legend of La Llorona
5:34
The legend of La Llorona, the “weeping woman,” has terrified generations.
How Chimaera Mythology Became Reality
6:26
How Chimaera Mythology Became Reality
Godzilla and Mothra: King and Queen of the Kaiju
7:20
Godzilla is one of the most recognizable monsters in film, and he should be.
El Chupacabras, a Modern Mystery
6:24
Did you know there are two different types of chupacabras?
Are White Walkers Really Nordic Zombies?
6:10
What do the Sagas of the Icelanders and Game of Thrones have in common?
The Origin of Medusa
5:45
Medusa has inspired art for centuries, whether as a symbol of protection or a monster.
Release the Kraken!
6:07
Legend has it this monster could take down ships and create whirlpools.
The Original Headless Horseman
5:51
Meet the Headless Horseman and his terrifying cousin, the Irish Dullahan.
Post-Dracula Vampires: From Anne Rice to Twilight
8:09
Post-Dracula Vampires: From Anne Rice to Twilight
Rethinking Frankenstein's Monster
5:57
Rethinking the characterization of Frankenstein's Monster as more sympathetic and soulful.
What Dragons Say About Us
6:04
The mythological origins of iconic dragons from Game of Thrones and The Hobbit.
Active loading indicator