Hysterical Wombs and Geeky Greeks

In the first episode of the Vagina Varsity Podcast, host Disha Ray is joined by Helen King, who is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies and has taught at Liverpool, Reading, and the Open University. She has worked extensively on ancient ideas about creation, the role of women, and sacrifice to illuminate Hippocratic gynecology. Hysterical Wombs and Geeky Greeks unravels ideas about menstruation in ancient Greece, the alleged origins of the word 'hysteria', and the shapes and uses of some intriguing womb votives from antiquity. Discussion topics in this episode also include the ancient figure of Hippocrates, the story of the first midwife (or female physician) Agnodice, the fictitious tale of Cleopatra and her buzz-ing vibrator, and much more!