logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
46m 21s

Abortion in the Ancient World (With Prin...

JENNY WILLIAMSON AND GENN MCMENEMY
About this episode
Not only was abortion broadly legal in ancient Greece and Rome, but some of the methods used were surprisingly similar to today. And the Bible doesn’t mention it at all—except in one obscure passage, where it tells you how to administer one. In this episode, we’re joined by feminist Biblical scholar and author Princess O’Nika Auguste to discuss the history o ... Show More
Up next
Jul 3
How an Empire Ends: Gothic Paganism
⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last episode about Amalasuintha and the end of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, we said we were next going to turn to the Visigothic Kingdom. But the story of the Visigothic Kingdom can’t be told without knowing a littl ... Show More
1h 27m
Jun 26
RE-RELEASE: Buzzballs and Buboes: The Plague of Justinian (a Drunk Deep Dive)
Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! ⁠ This is an episode about a plague that killed up to 100 million people by the time it was done—as many as 60% of its victims. It’s the first documented occurrence of a pandemic that we have, and it’s the first document ... Show More
1h 47m
Jun 19
How an Empire Ends: Life of Amalasuintha
⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last episode, we told you all about the rise of Theodoric the Great and the founding of the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy. Now, we’re going to tell you all about the women in his family—and the effect they had on ... Show More
1h 11m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
Victorian Abortion & Birth Control
We’re connected to the past in more ways than you might think.  For example, the 1861 Offences against the person Act is an abortion law that is still largely in place today. What does this Victorian law dictate? How does it still effect our lives today? And who were the brave pi ... Show More
43m 14s
Aug 2022
Abortion in the UK
As the right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is challenged on the other side of the Atlantic, today Betwixt the Sheets we are looking at the history of abortions here in Britain. This is the second episode in our two-part series on abortion in the US and the UK. First, ... Show More
40m 34s
Mar 2021
Roe v. Wade
One of the most historic cases in the fight for reproductive justice was founded on the “penumbra” of cases that came before it--and it’s still one of the cornerstones of abortion law today.We want to hear from you! If you have an abortion story you want to share, leave us a mess ... Show More
41m 9s
Aug 2022
A History of Childbirth
Throughout history one thing has had more impact on women’s lives than almost anything else - giving birth to children. In this episode we will explore various aspects of this paramount and awe-inspiring process and how it has changed across cultures and through time. From how we ... Show More
53 m
Apr 2023
L'Histoire du droit à l'avortement ft. MyBetterSelf
Droit des femmes à disposer de leur corps, impératif sanitaire ou crime moral, la question de l’avortement soulève bien des enjeux. En France, la conquête de ce droit fondamental procède d’un long combat mené dans la rue, les tribunaux et au parlement. Aujourd’hui, ce droit est e ... Show More
27m 19s
Jun 2024
Incest in Ancient Rome
What's the worst thing you could accuse someone of in Ancient Rome? There are a few strong candidates, but incest is definitely up there. In today's episode, Kate speaks with Roman historian, Emma Southon, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women, to find out more abou ... Show More
37m 33s
Nov 2022
A History of Menstruation
Periods. About 50% of the population gets them. But this natural process of shedding the uterine lining every month as part of fertility has long been shrouded in mystery, embarrassment and taboo. Let’s take a look back in time to see how women in the past and in various cultures ... Show More
27m 4s
Sep 2021
Sex in Ancient Rome
We’ve covered bloody battles, we’ve covered stunning cities, we’ve covered civilisations far away from the ancient Mediterranean. But in some 120 episodes of The Ancients we hadn’t covered one of the most popular topics in the world: sex. That is, until now. In today’s episode, s ... Show More
56m 18s
Jun 2023
Victorian Pregnancy & Childbirth: The Untold History
Why did Victorian doctors recommend women to lie still in solitary confinement for days after giving birth? What was the 'sit up and cough' method of contraception? (not the most reliable) And what was the level of infant mortality in the 19th century? Today Kate is Betwixt the S ... Show More
42m 14s
Jun 2024
LGBTQ Emperors of Ancient Rome
In Ancient Greece and the Roman empire homosexual relationships were an accepted and common practice. In this hyper-masculine society the male form was revered for its physical perfection while women’s virtue was jealously guarded to ensure the legitimacy of children. In Greece r ... Show More
20m 47s