Worshipping the Goddess Hecate in Antiquity and Today Let’s start with some background information on the goddess. In Greek mythology, Hecate is known for helping Demeter search for her daughter, Persephone, who had been “gifted” to Hades, her uncle (gross, I know), by her father, Zeus (even more disgusting). “I begin to sing of Demeter, … More Calling All the Witches
The Goddess Circe depicted in multiple different forms of literature from writers like Homer, Ovid and Madeline Miller. … More Depictions of Circe Throughout the Ages
Iphis is a LGBTQ+ character from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Iphis represents both female same-sex relations and transgender identity. Explore the characters and versions of The Myth of Iphis. … More Iphis: LGBTQ+ Representation in Ovid and Beyond
Who were the Vestal Virgins? The Vestal Virgins were comprised of six priestesses, at a time, who worshipped the goddess of the hearth, Vesta. Their responsibility was to tend to Vesta’s flame, which was located in her temple, in the heart of Ancient Rome (Greenfield 2017). The sacred flame of Vesta was representative of the … More The Vestal Virgins: How their ideals of viriginity have carried over into modern Christianity
An article all about Persephone / Proserpina, covering everything from her role in mythology to modern adaptations. … More Persephone / Proserpina
We have a tendency to imagine ancient Rome as a place where women were deprived of autonomy, existing primarily as wives. Reproduction was the watchword of womanly purpose, and the purity of a woman was both her most prized and her most ephemeral attribute. Under the constant watch of tutors and with no avenue into … More The Cult of Bona Dea
History and Depictions of the Love Goddesses’ Image Throughout antiquity, the portrayal of Venus and her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite, has changed time and time again. Even just comparing her Greek representations to her Roman representations, there is a clear difference in how she was believed to look, what she was believed to wear, and even … More The Portrayal of Venus in Pompeian Frescoes
Athena is one of Greek mythology’s most famous deities. Because the city of Athens—the city from which much of our modern day understanding of Ancient Greece comes—is named for her, a lot of what we know about ancient Greece is centred around her myths and the cults dedicated to her. Athena is known in … More Athena: Mythology and Cults
Psyche, the famous other half of Love personified, is an interesting conception in Classical literature and Renaissance painting, as well as in psychological theories. She is the original Fairytale Princess… … More Apuleius’ Psyche: An Ancient Fairytale Princess
Women in Antiquity 