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Once upon a time, Zeus spent nine consecutive nights with Mnemosyne, the Titan goddess of memory, giving birth to the nine Muses: Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania, Calliope, and Clio. These Muses inspired countless poets and artists, including Shakespeare and Milton, who invoked their divine influence in their works. The tradition of calling upon the Muses dates back to Homer’s Iliad, where he likely invoked Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry. The Muses resided on Mount Olympus, delighting the gods with their songs and dances, often accompanied by Apollo’s lyre. Their influence extended beyond art, touching on history, eloquence, and even foreseeing the future.
Key quotes:
"At the opening of his Henry V, Shakespeare refers to the 'Muse of fire,' and Milton beseeches the 'Heav’nly Muse' to sing at the beginning of his Paradise Lost. By invoking a muse at the opening of their works, Shakespeare and Milton carried on a centuries-old custom." "In the Iliad, Homer describes the Muses singing in response to each other’s songs while Apollo plays his lyre, entertaining the gods during their feast." "In his Theogony, Hesiod describes a conversation with the Muses where they bestow upon him their divine voice, enabling him to exalt the gods and their progeny." "In his Metamorphoses, Antoninus Liberalis recounts the daughters of Pierus challenging the Muses in song, only to be transformed into birds as punishment for their audacity." "Valerius Flaccus acknowledges Clio’s power in his Argonautica, writing, 'Clio, do you now reveal the reasons behind the heroes' horrific deeds? You, O Muse, have been granted the ability to see into the minds of the gods and understand the processes that lead to reality.'"Dive into the fascinating world of the Muses and discover the divine inspiration behind some of the greatest works of art and literature. Tune in now!
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.
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In 29 AD, Livia, the Empress of Rome and the widow of Emperor Augustus, died at the age of eighty-six. Although she was the mother of Tiberius, the current emperor of Rome, and an empress through her own marriage to Augustus, her funeral was very low-key by the standards of the Roman imperial family.
But Livia’s cult had grown throughout the empire even during her lifetime, and upon her death, Livia would have been the first woman in Rome's history to be pronounced a goddess.
Key quotes:
"When Augustus’ sister Octavia died in 11 BC, her funeral oration was delivered by Augustus himself in his capacity as both Octavia’s brother and Emperor of Rome."
"By contrast, the only person who spoke at Livia’s funeral was her great-grandson Caligula before Livia was buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus with minimal ceremony."
"The senate also voted for an arch to honor Livia in remembrance of her deeds of charity and goodwill. However, the plan never came to fruition as, although Tiberius did not immediately resist this plan, he instead promised rather heroically to build the arch with his own money instead of using the public funds."
"Among his first actions were the divine honors bestowed to Livia on the anniversary of her marriage to Augustus as well as what would have been her one-hundredth birthday."
"Livia was still held in high regard during Nero’s reign, and she was still highly regarded after the Julio-Claudian dynasty ended in 68 AD."
Dive into the world of Rome's first Empress and discover the makings of a legend. Tune in now!
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.
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Shortly after his marriage, the King of Egypt Ptolemy III, received word of imminent danger to his sister. In return for his safety as his marched to Syria to save his sister’s life, his loving wife promised to sacrifice a lock of her hair in return for his safety. Upon his return from the campaign, a lock of hair from the Queen’s head was cut and dedicated to the gods, only to disappear by the following day. Later, the court astronomer Conon then announced that he had discovered the lock in the night. To this day, the constellation is called Coma Berenices ("Berenice's Lock").
Key quotes:
“Berenice was already hailed as Basilissa (queen) on coins even in her father’s lifetime and, upon her marriage, she would be known as Berenice II Euergetis (‘Berenice the Benefactress’).” “Allegedly, Demetrius and Apama soon became lovers. According to legends, Berenice killed Demetrius after seeing him in bed with her mother.” “Controlling the narrative of the retelling of Demetrius’ murder would have been one of the earliest challenges that the newlyweds faced.” “Ptolemy III needed to introduce a new mythological basis for the new chapter brought about by his own marriage to Berenice, strengthening his dynastic continuity.” “In the poem Berenice’s Lock, Callimachus provided further details of the event, that Zephyrus carried off the lock at the command of Aphrodite who then placed it among the stars.”Join us as we unravel the romance, drama and politic of Berenice II, the girl who became Queen.
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. -
In this episode, we delve into the captivating tale of the Revolt of the Batavi, an uprising that shook the foundations of the mighty Roman Empire during the years 69 to 70 AD. The Batavi, a small yet formidable Germanic population residing in Batavia along the Rhine delta, spearheaded this rebellion. As their ranks swelled with other Germanic and Celtic tribes from Gallia Belgica, they embarked on a daring mission to challenge the Roman dominion.
Key Quotes:
“The Revolt of the Batavi, which occurred between 69 and 70 AD, was an uprising against the Roman Empire led by the Batavi, a small but powerful Germanic population of Batavia on the Rhine delta.” “The Batavi and their allies were able to humiliate the Roman army with a series of crushing defeats, including the annihilation of two Roman legions.” “The Batavi people’s leader was the Romanized Gaius Julius Civilis, whose skills were honed in the Roman army as an auxiliary officer familiar with the characteristics of Roman warfare.” “However, instead of supporting the Roman Empire, which had granted him citizenship, Gaius Julius Civilis decided to use his knowledge to help the Batavi.” “It was a low point in Roman history. But things took a turn in 77 AD where, following some initial victories, a massive Roman army eventually defeated the insurgents.” “Following peace talks, the Batavi surrendered once again to Roman rule. However, this time they were forced to accept humiliating terms and endure a legion being stationed permanently on their territory, at Noviomagus (modern-day Nijmegen, The Netherlands).” “The rebellion may not have ended in favor of the Batavi in the end, but the rebels’ early successes were undeniable. The Batavi’s early victories over the Roman legions were also foretold. They were predicted by Veleda, a seer.”Join us as we unravel the remarkable saga of the Batavi rebellion—a saga that reverberated through history, pitting a determined people against the might of Rome.
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.
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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of dreams and their interpretations in ancient civilizations. We explore how dreams played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Key Quotes:
“The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, presents dreams as a powerful tool for foretelling and guiding the future.” “Dreams were not just personal experiences but played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations.” “The dream of Gudea, king of the Sumerian city-state of Lagash, led to the construction of a temple for the god Ningirsu.” “The Assyrian kings Ashurnasirpal II and Ashurbanipal sought guidance and victory in dreams.” “Dreams were incubated within the confines of Asclepieions, temples dedicated to healing, in ancient Greece.” “Dream interpreters, often tribal elders, matriarchs, patriarchs, priests, and shamans, held a special place in these societies. They could enter the world of dreams at will, encounter souls, fight, recover lost souls, heal, and bring the meaning of the dream forth to the life of the dreamers.”Join us as we explore how dreams were regarded as an important way of receiving messages from the world of power and spirit, from the gods and other powerful beings, and how they continue to fascinate us to this day.
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.
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In this episode, we journey back to ancient Greece to explore the Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite force of 150 pairs of male lovers. We discuss their crucial role in ending Spartan domination and the deep bonds they formed in battle. We also touch on the paradox of civilization, where periods of great achievement often coincide with war and turmoil.
Key Quotes:
“The Pals battalions were far from being a new idea. Thousands of years prior, in the 4th century BC, King Philip II of Macedon erected a tribute at Chaeronea to commemorate the bravery of a battalion he conquered whose soldiers had ties to each other that were more intense and passionate.” “This memorial commemorates the Sacred Band of Thebes, marking the communal grave in which they were buried.” “The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite force of the Theban army consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers, and they played a crucial role in ending Spartan domination.” “One of civilization’s great paradoxes is that periods of great intellectual and political achievement are often accompanied by war and turmoil.” “The fourth century BC saw a period of political and military upheaval in ancient Greece, marked by the rise of powerful city-states and the growing influence of Macedon, led by Philip II (382 – 336 BC).”For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.
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In this episode, we journey back to ancient Rome to explore the life and legacy of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the greatest Roman orator. We delve into his prolific writings, which span rhetoric, philosophy, and politics, and the surviving collections of his personal correspondence.
We take a closer look at his relationships with various public figures, his friend Titus Pomponius Atticus, and most intimately, his younger brother Quintus. Through these letters, we gain a candid view into Cicero’s character, his intellectual prowess, and his day-to-day moods. Join us as we unravel the complexities of brotherly bonds, political frustrations, and the enduring power of the written word in ancient Rome.
Key Quotes:
“In modern times, Marcus Tullius Cicero is remembered as the greatest Roman orator.” “Many of his letters did not survive, and many others were, perhaps understandably, suppressed for political reasons after his death.” “With Quintus, his younger brother by four years, the famous Marcus Tullius Cicero speaks as he would to a brother, friend, confidant and colleague.” “Marcus’ response to his brother’s nagging is that although he feels capable to write, he lacks the time and inclination.” “Marcus and Quintus Tullius Cicero were the sons of a wealthy family in Arpinium.”As promised in this episode, here are some links that you might find interesting:
Anna Perenna and the Ides of March How to Win an Election: Lessons from an Ancient Roman RebelFor more fascinating insights into history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the past and discover the rich tapestry of events and individuals that have shaped our world. Happy listening!
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In this episode, we delve into the intriguing life of Flavius Belisarius, a general of the Byzantine Empire, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Antonina. We explore how Belisarius, a man of great military prowess, was brought down by his Achilles’ heel - his deep love for Antonina.
Despite her infidelities and their troubled marriage, Belisarius remained stubbornly loyal to Antonina, a fact that historians like Procopius and Edward Gibbon have noted in their writings. We also shed light on Antonina’s background, her rise from poverty, and her alleged use of magic to win Belisarius’ heart. Join us as we unravel the complex dynamics of power, love, and betrayal in the 6th century Byzantine Empire.
Key Quotes:
“Flavius Belisarius personified the perfect example of what a general of a powerful empire ought to have been.” “His Achilles’ heel was none other than his wife, Antonina.” “The unconquerable patience and loyalty of Belisarius appear either below or above the character of a man.” - Edward Gibbon “Antonina herself from the first led an utterly wanton life. Acquainted with magic drugs used by her parents before her, she learned how to use those of compelling qualities and became the wedded wife of Belisarius, after having already borne many children.” - Procopius “In Antonina, Belisarius seemed to have met his intellectual equal.”As promised in this episode, here are some links that you might find interesting:
Ancient Roman Actresses and the Dark Side of Beauty Tale of Two ConcubinesFor more fascinating insights into history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, "Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the past and discover the rich tapestry of events and individuals that have shaped our world. Happy listening!
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In this episode, we delve into the rise and fall of unusual ancient Roman politicians. We explore how the early distribution of political power was influenced by factors such as fresh water, fertile soil, and a temperate climate, which were crucial for the development of organized societies. We discuss the evolution of Rome from a minor power to an imperial behemoth, and how this complicated the concept of politics. We also examine the formation of the Tribune of the Plebeians in 493 BC, which gave commoners a presence in the government, and the subsequent weakening of the senate after the formation of the Roman Empire in 27 BC.
Key Quotes:
“In the ancient world, the early distribution of political power was dictated by the availability of fresh water, fertile soil and a temperate climate.” “Rome’s evolution from a minor power into an imperial behemoth complicated the concept of politics even further.” “The ancient Roman senate was established in the first days of the city of Rome which was traditionally founded in 753 BC.” “All this changed in the formation of the Tribune of the Plebeians in 493 BC.” “The senate was greatly weakened after the formation of the Roman Empire in 27 BC as it buckled under successions of powerful emperors who often violently coerced this governing body.”For more fascinating insights into ancient history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the captivating world of the past and uncover the secrets of the ancient civilizations.
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In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of Ganesha, one of the most distinctive Hindu deities. We explore his role as the remover of obstacles and the patron of travelers, students, commerce, and new endeavors. We journey back to the Gupta Period (c. 320-600 CE), when Ganesha emerged as a distinct deity in a recognizable form. We trace his evolution as he became one of the most prevalent Hindu deities in foreign lands, particularly during the 10th century CE.
Key Quotes:
“Ganesha as we know him today does not appear in the Vedas, at least not explicitly.” “A prototype of Ganesha was worshiped in prehistoric times outside the Indian subcontinent in places such as Afghanistan, Iran, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Cambodia, Japan and Mexico.” “Among Buddhists in Thailand, Ganesha maintained his function as a remover of obstacles and is therefore considered a god of success.”For more fascinating insights into history and mythology, visit Martini Fisher’s website. Check out her latest book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”, available now on Amazon. Let’s continue to make history beautiful together.
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When word of his younger brother’s life-threatening illness reached him, Roman General Tiberius (later Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus) who was in Pavia at the time, crossed the Alps like a man possessed. Without stopping day or night, he covered 200 Roman miles in a dangerous country. Tiberius' frantic dash across the Rhine from northwestern Italy to Germany to his brother's bedside evolved into a legend.
Read this story in the blog.
Read more about:
Germanicus Castor (Son of Tiberius) Augustus Castor and Pollux (the divine twins) Legends of the Zodiacs -
The works of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, or Horace, span an extraordinarily wide range, making him one of the central authors in Latin literature. Horace seemed to be just as comfortable writing about love and wine as he was about philosophy and literary criticism. However, the phrase that both best encapsulates Horace’s moral stance and saves him from oblivion, is the phrase ‘carpe diem’ (Odes 1.11.8), which endures well to the modern ages as a slogan on T-shirts and the name of a trendy line of leather goods.
Read on the blog.
Read more about Octavian and Mark Antony.
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Penthesilea was breathtaking. “Aphrodite, the noble bride of the potent War- god, made her beautiful indeed in death, so that the son of Peleus (Achilles), could be pierced by the arrow of chastising love," writes the 4th century AD Greek poet Quintus Smyrnaeus in his poem Posthomerica ("Things After Homer"). In addition to her beauty, Penthesilea was also born into a family of queens. She was the daughter of Ares, the god of war, and Otrera, Queen of the legendary Amazons. Apart from Penthesilea, Ares and Otrera had three other daughters: Hippolyta, Antiope, and Melanippe. Hippolyta went on to become one of the most famous of the Amazon queens, while her other sisters Antiope and Melanippe ruled alongside her over their country's three major cities.
Read on the blog.
Read more:
Aphrodite Battle of the Tragic Heroes: Legends of India’s Karna, Greek’s Achilles and Ireland’s Ferdiad Ares and Athena An Unhappy Divine Marriage -
Elusive and difficult to pinpoint, the ‘Old Man of the Sea’ may take on many names in mythology. He embodies the virtues of truth and justice, until he was usurped by a sinister character who made a nuisance of himself by latching on to men, like an irritating conscience, which one could only be rid of by inebriation.
Read on the blog.
Read more:
Women and the Sacred Invention of Beer Ancient History of the Forbidden Fruit Battle of the Tragic Heroes: Legends of India’s Karna, Greek’s Achilles and Ireland’s Ferdiad Sacrifice the Virgin, Save the People -
Music has been an integral part of the world’s culture since prehistorical times and discoveries of ancient musical instruments are still being made to this day. Excavations at the early Neolithic site of Jiahu in Henan Province, China, (7000 - 5700 BC), have produced what may be the earliest complete and playable multinote musical instruments. A sarcophagus representing the oldest illustration of the seven-string lyre and double flute accompanying a ritual from the Minoan Period (3000 - 1400 BC) was also discovered in Crete.
Read here for:
Courtesans and Music in Ancient China Hades and Persephone Apsara and Gandharva Mahabharata: The Pandava Brothers -
"Man the Hunter," an early twentieth-century human origins story, saw hunting as the primary driver of human evolution. This story emphasizes our forefathers' bipedalism, large brains, sharp tools, and insatiable desire for violence. According to this story, hunting also gave rise to the concept of the nuclear family, with women serving as those who waited at home for men to bring home the meat. However, through decades of field research, anthropologists have developed a more flexible and comprehensive view of human labor, which holds that neither men nor women are particularly biologically inclined to gather.
Read more about:
Mothers' Tears The Woman in White Witches The Body of a Goddess Hecate The Moon Goddess Floods -
In the ancient battle of Thurii in 282 BC, between Rome and the Greek colony of Tarentum, the Romans noticed a youth of extraordinary height marching in front of them and performing miracles of bravery. It was only afterwards, when no candidate for the crown of honor showed himself to claim it, that the soldiers realized and became convinced that it was the war god Mars himself who had come to the rescue of his people. Read more on the blog.
Read more about:
Anna Perenna Ares and Athena Zeus and Hera Romulus and Remus Lupa -
Numerous myths, ubiquitous to great civilizations spanning the globe, reflect a deep-rooted belief in an intimate connection between a human being and a tree. The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite proclaims that when the tree is injured, the tree nymph also hurts, “…but when the fate of death is near at hand, first those lovely trees wither where they stand, and the bark shrivels away about them, and the twigs fall down, and at last the life of the Nymph and of the tree leave the light of the sun together”.Read more stories of the Sacred Trees in the blog.
Read more about:
Aphrodite Apsara Kinnara and Kinnari -
The ancient figures of the “Divine Twins” are globally recognizable. Among the many associations attached to the Divine Twins is the custom of dual kingship, the warrior king and the priestly king, where one king would go on campaigns and the other would remain to protect and reassure the tribe. Mentions of this custom was made as early as accounts by ancient Greek historian Tacitus (c. 56 – c. 120 CE) and continued well into the Migration Age where the twin kings became popular legendary figures.
Learn more in History made Beautiful blog.
Learn more about:
The Horse, the Snake and the Dog: The Three Heads of the Real Queen of the Night (for more on the role of the Divine Twin in the rule of Emperor Tiberius) A Story of Castor, the Refreshingly Quiet and Surprisingly Competent Politician of Ancient Rome (for a bit more on the role of the Ashvin Twin in the Mahabarata Epic) One Perfect Man = Five Imperfect Demigods Death, Courage and Sacrifices upon the Stars: Legends Behind the Zodiacs -
Eucleia’s images and altar were worshipped in Locris and Boeotia, Greece, where brides and grooms would perform a sacrifice. There was also a sanctuary dedicated to Eucleia at Aegae, the original capital of Macedonia which also served as the burial-place of the Macedonian kings. At least two statue bases in the sanctuary were votive offerings by a woman named Eurydice. Two inscriptions were found and one of these inscriptions, dating back to 340 BC, reads “Eurydika daughter of Sirras to goddess Eukleia.” Eurydice is the paternal grandmother of Alexander the Great. But she was not the only Eurydice of Macedonia. Her great-granddaughter, a niece of Alexander the Great, was also named Eurydice. Both women were as far removed from the docile and subdued image that Eucleia was supposed to represent.
Read more in History made Beautiful blog.
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