The Evolution of the Dragon

A scholarly adventure unfolds as the author weaves together a series of wartime lectures on myth, ritual, and iconography. Beginning with the ancient belief in water’s life‑giving power, the narrative traces how gods such as Osiris, Ea, Soma and Varuna were personified and later linked to the enigmatic figure of the dragon. The first chapter, though rooted in discussions of incense and libations, opens a window onto the broader cultural currents that shaped early dragon lore.

The second lecture moves across continents, comparing Indian elephant‑headed rain deities with Pre‑Columbian motifs and Chinese dragons, suggesting a surprising transmission of ideas via the Pacific. Subsequent sections explore the Great Mother’s Babylonian avatar, Tiamat, and her influence on the evolution of the fearsome beast, while also touching on the birth of Aphrodite and ancient Olympian rites. Richly illustrated and based on meticulous research, the work invites listeners to follow the tangled pathways through which a single mythic creature came to dominate so many worlds.