081 - Orphism, Omens, and Oracles

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Orpheus and his Mysteries; the Orphic Hymns and the Orphic Theogony; the Orphic Hymn to Melinoe and her connection to the Mysteries, Hekate, and Hermes Psychopompos; the roles of omens, divination, and itinerant seers (including the mythic figures of Teiresias, Mopsos, and Kalchas, as well as historical figures like Lampon); and the roles of oracles (including the myths and cultic worship of Apollo regarding Delphi, Python, the Pythia, the Sibyl, and Daphne, as well as the archaeological evidence, rituals, and importance of the oracles at Delphi, those in Boiotia, and those in Ionia (Didyma and Klaros)

Primary Sources:

Text/The Orphic Hymns

Text/Homeric Hymn to Apollo

**Special Guest Episode on Roman Slavery and Gladiators w/Fiona Radford**

In this special guest episode, I am joined by Dr Fiona Radford, expert on Rome in Film and Spartacus, to discuss slavery in the ancient Roman Republic and Empire and compare/contrast it with ancient Greece (plus lots on gladiators and Spartacus!)
***Show Notes from the Partial Historians***


Dr Fiona Radford
Co-Host of the Partial Historians Podcast
Website: https://partialhistorians.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepartialhistorians/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/p_historians and https://twitter.com/FionaRadford1
TED-Ed Video: From slave to rebel gladiator: The life of Spartacus - Fiona Radford

080 - Hekate and Magic

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Hekate, the goddess associated with magic, sorcery, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, crossroads, entrance-ways, ghosts, and necromancy; including her connections and/or syncretizations with Iphigenia, Artemis, Selene, the Erinyes (also known as the Furies), the Keres, the Semnai Theai, Empousa, Lamia, Kirke, and Medeia; and the "monstrous craft" of magikos in ancient Greece, including curse tablets, binding spells, love spells, potions, and amulets

Primary Sources:
Text/The Greek Magical Papyri