logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2020
24m 43s

Sappho

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Natalie Haynes and guests return for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome.

This time she's standing up in the name of Greek poet, Sappho, about whom we know so little, and most of what we think we know is made-up. But one thing is certain: her poetry is scorching, and unforgettable.

There will also be a lot of gossip from over a thousand years ago.

With special guests:

Novelist Stella Duffy Classicist Professor Edith Hall

With music from:

LiTTLe MACHiNe.

Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017.

Up next
Sep 2025
The Aeneid
In a tour de force solo performance, Natalie takes on Virgil's great poem in 28 minutes.. and wins.In 12 books of Latin verse we follow the hero, the Trojan Prince Aeneas, as he leads the survivors of Troy to found a new city in Italy. Along the way he battles vengeful Juno, tell ... Show More
27m 52s
Aug 2025
Hestia
The overlooked Olympian who was the resolutely unmarried goddess of the hearth and home. In fact, Zeus awarded her a glorious gift for remaining unmarried, a tradition Natalie very much feels should be continued. In Hestia's Roman form of Vesta her Vestal Virgins guarded the sacr ... Show More
27m 42s
Aug 2025
Catullus
The brilliant Roman love poet is the poster boy for teen angst. He feels everything intensely, from the stealing of his favourite napkin to the death of his lover Lesbia's pet sparrow. And then he dies young. Of course the Romantics loved him, as do his biographer Dr Daisy Dunn a ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2020
Poetess of the Ancient World, Sappho (with Ellie and Alyse of the Sweetbitter Podcast)
Finally, Sappho! Along with Ellie and Alyse of the Sweetbitter podcast devoted to her, Liv discusses Sappho, the very real Greek poet and overall badass woman. Make sure to subscribe to the Sweetbitter podcast where ever you listen, or visit sweetbitterpodcast.com. Liv is on thei ... Show More
58m 4s
Aug 2019
#214 Sofie Hagen: Comedy + Boundaries
Today's episode is with Sofie Hagen, a voice you many recognise from many of your fave podcasts, including The Guilty Feminist when it first launched. She also hosts her own brilliant podcasts Made of Human, Secret Dinosaur Cult and Comedians Telling Stuff. First and foremost tho ... Show More
24m 55s
Oct 2019
Ep 34: Sophie Duker
<p>Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Sophie Duker has a table booked this week. Tears flow, secrets are revealed and the rice battle continues. </p><br><p>Recorded and edited by Ben Williams for <a href="https://www.plosive.co.uk/" target="_blank">Plosive Productions</ ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2021
RE-AIR: Calliope is Over Your Sh*t, the Women of the Trojan War with Natalie Haynes
A re-airing of Liv episode with author and classicist Natalie Haynes about the women of the Trojan War and Pandora. Natalie's latest books are A Thousand Ships, recently published in North America and Pandora's Jar, available in the UK. Also mentioned is her book the Children of ... Show More
1h 4m
Jan 2021
Calliope is Over Your Sh*t, the Women of the Trojan War with Natalie Haynes
Liv speaks with author and classicist Natalie Haynes about the women of the Trojan War and Pandora. Natalie's latest books are A Thousand Ships, recently published in North America and Pandora's Jar, available in the UK. Also mentioned is her book the Children of Jocasta, and the ... Show More
1h 3m
Nov 2015
4 Sappho
Ancient Greece viewed her as Homer’s poetic equal; Plato referred to her as the “tenth muse.” As a fearless and lyrical chronicler of female desire, she had a profound impact on literature and society. Author Jacke Wilson takes a look at the genius of Sappho, the first great fema ... Show More
29m 27s
May 2021
Boudica (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner and his guests discuss the important questions surrounding Queen Boudica including: Is she a feminist icon? How do you pronounce her name? And was she really ginger? Get ready to forget everything you thought you knew about Boudica and learn what it was really like wh ... Show More
28m 57s
Jun 2024
Conversations: The Love of a Good Woman, Translating Sappho w/ Brendon Zatirka
Liv speaks with Brendon Zatirka, author and translator of an upcoming volume of Sappho's poetry... They talk translation, poetry, Sappho, and ancient queerness. Learn more about Brendan's translation of everyone's favourite poet, Sappho. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Li ... Show More
1h 18m
Aug 2025
Reneé Rapp: At Least I'm Hot
<p>Join Alex in the studio for a conversation with Reneé Rapp. Reneé gushes about her girlfriend, shits on straight men and sends some wild texts to celebrities. Enjoy!</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> ... Show More
47m 39s