Special Episode - Women of Myth with Ancient History Fan Girl

Content warning for this episode: violence, sexual violence, removal of children

We sit down to chat with Genn and Jenny, the fabulous cohosts of the Ancient History Fan Girl podcast. They have recently published Women of Myth: From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Amaterasu and Athena which examines fifty women and femme presenting figures from cultures across the globe.

While Women of Myth is the centre of this conversation, there’s no way to discuss ancient ideas about women without considering how that might reflect upon the contemporary issues that women face. This also leads into consideration of the challenges faced by women throughout history.

We wrap up with a discussion of looking beyond the ancient Greco-Roman world – the value of doing that and what that can look like in podcasting.

Special Episode – Women of Myth with Ancient History Fan Girl

What makes a book?

In this interview, we explore some of the details of the book including

• The ideas that shaped the concept for Women of Myth
• The role of Sara Richard’s illustrations in expanding representation
• What it was like to co-write a book together

Listen out for discussions about

• Amba/Shikhandi – The Vengeance-Seeking Genderqueer Warrior of the Mahabharata
• Atalanta – The Ancient Greek Warrior, Athlete, and Argonaut
• Ītzpāpālōtl – The Skeletal Warrior Goddess of the Aztecs
• La Llorona – The Wailing Woman of Mexican Mythology
• Medea – Dr G draws parallels with La Llorona and Medea’s stories
• The Morrigan – The Ancient Irish Goddess of War and Battle Frenzy
• Oya – The Yoruba Warrior Goddess and Orisha of the Wind

Interested in Women of Myth?

Consider these retailers:

• Booktopia (Australia)
• Bookshop.org (US)
• Bookshop.org (UK)
• Contact your local indie bookstore
• Contact your local library

The book cover!

Sound Credits

Our music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.

An illustration by Sara Richard from Women of Myth of Ītzpāpālōtl, the Aztec Skeletal warrior goddess.
She appears as a crown skull with green feathered hair surrounded by flames.

Automated Transcript

Dr Rad 0:16
Welcome to The Partial Historians.

Dr G 0:20
We explore all the details of ancient Rome.

Dr Rad 0:23
Everything from the political scandals, the levels as the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I’m Dr. Rad.

Dr G 0:34
And I’m Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it, by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.

Dr Rad 0:43
Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Welcome to a very special edition of The Partial Historians. I am Dr. Rad.

Dr G 1:00
And I’m Dr. G.

Dr Rad 1:02
And Dr. G, we are joined today by two extra special guests. I know this is very exciting for us two extra special people are with us. And the mystery of way shall soon be revealed. I know what I mean, this is this is really a treat because we are joined by two members of the unofficial lady pod squad. And that is right we are joined by Jenny and Genn, who are the hosts of the extremely popular Ancient History Fan Girl podcast. And we are both fan girls of that podcast. Are we not Dr. G?

Dr G 1:39
We are so it’s like super, super exciting. It’s like ancient history girls unite.

Dr Rad 1:43
Exactly, exactly.

Jenny 1:45
The feeling is mutual.

Genn 1:46
Very mutual.

Dr Rad 1:50
It’s actually it’s actually really shocking that we have not had you on our show before this because it was many, many moons ago that we recorded Spartacus together. And I feel like it’s because we’re constantly in contact in terms of I constantly see what you guys are up to on Instagram and constant...