Myth | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/myth/RSS feed for MythenFri, 25 Sep 2026 19:32:57 +0000Seven Places in Europe That Legends Say Were Built by Giants, Devils or Dragonshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/seven-places-in-europe-that-legends-say-were-built-by-giants-devils-or-dragons-180989571/Bridges, mountains, caves and rock formations that seem impossible to explain become magnets for folkloreFri, 25 Sep 2026 19:32:57 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/seven-places-in-europe-that-legends-say-were-built-by-giants-devils-or-dragons-180989571/Centuries Ago, an Architect Characterized the Parthenon’s Curves as a Clever Optical Illusion. Now, a Mathematician Begs to Differhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/centuries-ago-an-architect-characterized-the-parthenons-curves-as-a-clever-optical-illusion-now-a-mathematician-begs-to-differ-180989520/In the first century B.C.E., Vitruvius wrote that the Acropolis’ largest temple was horizontally bowed so that it didn't seem to sag, and that explanation persisted for millennia. New research suggests a different reasonFri, 18 Sep 2026 17:11:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/centuries-ago-an-architect-characterized-the-parthenons-curves-as-a-clever-optical-illusion-now-a-mathematician-begs-to-differ-180989520/Why Was This 17th-Century Polish Woman Buried With a Padlock on Her Toe and an Iron Sickle Across Her Neck?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-was-this-17th-century-polish-woman-buried-with-a-padlock-on-her-toe-and-an-iron-sickle-across-her-neck-180989408/New research suggests that the people who buried the young woman took precautionary measures to stop her from coming back to life and exacting revenge on themThu, 27 Aug 2026 17:51:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-was-this-17th-century-polish-woman-buried-with-a-padlock-on-her-toe-and-an-iron-sickle-across-her-neck-180989408/This 18th-Century British Queen Turned King Arthur Into a P.R. Strategy, Drawing on Myth to Promote Her Dynasty's Claim to the Thronehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-18th-century-british-queen-turned-king-arthur-into-a-pr-strategy-drawing-on-myth-to-promote-her-dynastys-claim-to-the-throne-180989367/In 1735, Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach commissioned a cottage called Merlin's Cave, which linked the German House of Hanover to both Britain’s ancient heritage and its future successMon, 24 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-18th-century-british-queen-turned-king-arthur-into-a-pr-strategy-drawing-on-myth-to-promote-her-dynastys-claim-to-the-throne-180989367/