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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.

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