Domina Tempora

• 2: The Women Who Held Rome by the Throat (Politely, of Course)

  The Sibyls were never passive cave-dwellers murmuring riddles into the dark. They were political weapons, divine mouthpieces, and dangerous women whose prophecies shaped empires. Long before Hollywood mystics and Renaissance murals softened them, the Sibyls walked into palaces, burned books in kings’ faces, defied gods, survived curses—and redirected the futures of entire civilizations.In this second voyage of the Domina Tempora Podcast, we follow the Sibyls across Greece, Rome, Libya, and the underworld itself. These women did not merely foretell history—they authored it, one prophecy at a time.🎧 In this episode:• The old woman who burned six prophetic books to teach a king fear• Apollo’s “gifts” to Cassandra, Marpessa & Deiphobe—and the violence behind them• The Sibyl in a jar: Ovid’s bleak portrait of immortality as imprisonment• How Sibylline Books steered Rome through crisis, prophecy, and politics• Why every era rewrote the Sibyls to fit its fantasies, fears, and power structures💋 If this episode unsettles—in the best way—good. Let it.✨ Explore the website: ⁠https://martinifisher.com/⁠🖋 Become a member and receive the Monthly Members-Only Essay—myth retold with elegance, danger, and intellect.📚 Visit the ⁠shop⁠ for Domina Dossiers—bite-sized, collectible essays on myth & history.🎧 Subscribe to the ⁠YouTube channel ⁠for whispered ASMR readings of Ovid and Poe.🏛 Enrol in Greek Mythology 101: A Cultural Guide to the Gods and Myths on ⁠Udemy ⁠— a seductive, intelligent initiation into mythology as culture, identity, and power.🕯 The Sibyls didn’t ask for authority.They spoke, and the world rearranged itself.

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• 1: Sirens were Never "Sexy" (It was a Smear Campaign!)

  The Sirens were never “sexy.” That was a re-brand—a smear campaign against women whose voices held power. Long before Disney’s mermaids, they were winged, wise, and catastrophic: guardians of knowledge, not temptresses of flesh.In this first voyage of the all new Domina Tempora Podcast, we uncover how language, religion, and fear transformed the Siren from philosopher-musician to femme fatale—and what that says about how history punishes female intellect.🎧 In this episode:• The Odyssey’s original Sirens—what Homer really wrote• Ovid, Hyginus & Pliny on the bird-women of wisdom• How a translation changed everything• How medieval monks weaponised beauty💋 If this episode stirred something in you—feed it.✨ Explore the website: https://martinifisher.com/🖋 Become a member and receive the Monthly Members-Only Essay—myth retold with elegance, danger, and intellect.📚 Visit the shop for Domina Dossiers—bite-sized, collectible essays on myth & history.🎧 Subscribe to the YouTube channel for whispered ASMR readings of Ovid and Poe.🏛 Enrol in Greek Mythology 101: A Cultural Guide to the Gods and Myths on Udemy — a seductive, intelligent initiation into mythology as culture, identity, and power.🕯 Because the original Siren didn’t seduce with her body — she seduced with her mind.Her song wasn’t temptation; it was truth.And the truth, as always, is the most dangerous sound of all.

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• 237: The Trouble with Witches: Witches and the Boundaries of Power

  For centuries, witches have occupied a space between fear and fascination, their presence signaling both power and peril. From the three haggard figures inMacbeth to the Fates of Greek mythology, women who wield influence beyond the expected have been cast as threats to order. But why? In this episode, we examine the historical and cultural forces that turned witches into symbols of chaos, control, and rebellion. Were they truly dangerous, or did they simply exist outside the boundaries of what society deemed acceptable? Join us as we explore the tangled legacy of witches, prophecy, and the fear of women who refuse to obey.

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• 236: Sex and the Empire: Euphemia, Theodora and the Scandalous Literary Tradition of Ancient Rome

  In this episode, we explore the extraordinary lives of Euphemia and Theodora, two women who rose from obscurity to become empresses of the Byzantine Empire. Their stories—filled with ambition, resilience, and reform—challenge traditional narratives of power and privilege in late antiquity. From the sensational accounts of Procopius to the lasting legacies of their reforms, we’ll uncover how their lives were shaped by, and in turn, shaped the cultural and political landscape of their time. Key Quotes: "Euphemia, born a slave and once known as Lupicina, transformed her identity to embody the piety expected of an empress." "Theodora’s reforms addressed marriage, dowry rights, and protections for women sold into slavery—legislation that echoed her own experiences." "Procopius described Theodora as 'Theodora from the Brothel,' highlighting not just his disdain for her origins, but his fear of women who wielded power." "The name Lupicina, linked to the Latin word for 'she-wolves,' connected Euphemia to both sacred Etruscan traditions and the lowest class of Roman society." "In Justinian and Theodora’s marriage, Procopius saw not just a union of two people but a symbol of societal upheaval that blurred class distinctions." Through the lens of Euphemia and Theodora’s lives, we’ll explore the tension between personal ambition and societal expectations, the power of identity and narrative, and the ways in which women shaped the empire from behind the scenes. Join me as we unravel the truths and myths surrounding these two remarkable empresses.

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• 235: Augustus' Women: Imperial Women and their Quest to become the Empress of Rome

  In this episode, we explore the lives of the women who shaped and supported the reign of Emperor Augustus, the first ruler of the Roman Empire. From political alliances forged through marriage to personal sacrifices and public displays of loyalty, these women played vital roles in Augustus' ascent to power. While Livia Drusilla eventually became the first Empress of the Julian Dynasty, the stories of the other women in Augustus’ life are equally compelling. Key Quotes: "Clodia Pulchra’s marriage to Octavian was emblematic of Rome’s practice of using matrimony as a political tool." "Scribonia, Octavian’s second wife, was chosen for her aristocratic connections and political utility." "Julia, Augustus’ daughter, lived a life of contradictions—venerated as a symbol of the imperial family yet exiled for rebellion." "Livia embodied the ideal Roman matron while exercising immense behind-the-scenes political influence." "Through marriages and alliances, the women in Augustus' life helped to solidify his rule and secure his legacy." Uncover the intricate roles of Augustus’ women in consolidating power during one of history's most transformative periods. From the politically arranged marriages that strengthened alliances to the lasting influence of Livia, these women's stories reveal the human complexities behind the grandeur of Rome’s first emperor. Join us as we delve into their lives and legacies, unraveling the ways they shaped the foundation of the Roman Empire.

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