logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
39m 44s

The Myth of Aspasia, Woman, Politician, ...

Liv Albert
About this episode

Aspasia was an intelligent, independent and influential woman at the heart of Classical Athenian politics. She was also a sex worker. This is the instagram reel this episode is 'responding' to. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby, and learn more about the Memory Collective.

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing.

Sources: Prisoner of History: Aspasia of Miletus and her Biographical Tradition by Madeleine Mary Henry; "Wise and Devoted or Shrewd and Shameless? The True Face of Aspasia of Miletus" by Agata Ciempiel from Scripta Classica.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
RE-AIR: How Much Mythology Is Too Much?? Five Years of Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!
We're coming up on the EIGHT year anniversary of LTAMB so as a treat here is the special episode from the FIFTH anniversary! This episode originally aired on July 19, 2022. Liv looks back on some of her favourite moments, episodes, and quotes from the last five years of Let's Tal ... Show More
58m 56s
Jul 4
Moms, Prophecies, and oh ya Orpheus is there too... KAOS Takeover w/ Christie Vogler and Anastasia Pantazopoulou (Part 2)
Welcome back for a slightly late part two of a KAOS Takeover episode with Michaela Pangowish, Christie Vogler, and special guest Anastasia Pantazopoulou. This time we talked about all the mortals bouncing around in the series, from our deep love of Caeneus to our fascination with ... Show More
1h 34m
Jul 1
RE-AIR: Conversations: Charybdis, a Gaping, Hungry Hole; Fear of the Monstrous Woman w/ Cosi Carnegie
This episode originally aired in March 2024. Liv is joined by Cosi Carnegie to talk all things horny (boob cups! the threat of a sexual woman! all the erotic pottery you can imagine!) Follow Cosi on Instagram; read more from her; and learn more about Propylaea Productions! Submit ... Show More
1h 34m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 29
The Truth About Medusa
You could be forgiven for thinking the Greek myth of Medusa has zero relevance to us today. Snake for hair?! But as you'll hear in today's episode, she's a woman who was vilified for her femininity and sexuality. She was literally cast out of society for it - into a cave, of all ... Show More
32m 7s
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
Sep 2024
Ancient Goddesses: Rebellion, Magic & Sexual Liberation
Struggling for role models in the modern world? We've got your back, looking way back to the ancient world. Join Kate and Jasmine Elmer, author of her new book, Goddess With A Thousand Faces, as they explore the remarkable stories of some of histories most incredible ancient Godd ... Show More
44m 41s
Aug 2024
Life Lessons From Historical Women
When women's stories aren't being flat-out ignored from the history books, they can often be sidelined. Well not here! Joining Kate today is the comedian and author of Life Lessons from Historical Women, Eleanor Morton, to share some of her favourite stories of inspirational wome ... Show More
35m 48s
May 2024
The Great Political Fictions: Middlemarch (part 2)
This second episode about George Eliot’s masterpiece explores questions of politics and religion, reputation and deception, truth and public opinion. What is the relationship between personal power and faith in a higher power? Is it ever possible to escape from the gossip of your ... Show More
54m 2s
Mar 2025
Murderous Women
**This podcast contains graphic descriptions of murders and the punishments of those convicted** Gruesome murders carried out by women captivated the public imagination in Early Modern Britain. Pamphlets, ballads, and woodcuts spread the stories of traitorous wives, cunning poiso ... Show More
53m 26s
Sep 2024
Women Leaders, part 2: Cleopatra's Legacy
There was no way I could revisit the Cleopatra episode and score without getting Gina Berry's assistance! She was a guest on our epic Nefertiti and Hatshepsut episodes, and now she's here to talk all things Cleo. As ever, when the two of us get together, it will be at LEAST 2 hou ... Show More
2h 9m
Mar 2025
Preview: Madam Ram Starring Toni Collette
The first five episodes are available now. Subscribe today! Loved, hated, and an endlessly controversial figure in modern sports, Georgia Frontiere's story is one of ambition, power, scandal, and a relentless quest for respect and legacy. Inheriting the LA RAMS after the sudden a ... Show More
36m 34s
Mar 2025
Preview: Madam Ram Starring Toni Collette
The first five episodes are available now. Subscribe today! Loved, hated, and an endlessly controversial figure in modern sports, Georgia Frontiere's story is one of ambition, power, scandal, and a relentless quest for respect and legacy. Inheriting the LA RAMS after the sudden a ... Show More
36m 34s