The Western World is ready to sit back and watch as one of the oldest cities, in one of the most historical rich countries on the planet, is wiped off the face of the earth. The people of Gaza, and Palestine, are stewards of their land and have been since long, long before the 'West' even existed. This episode is selections from my episode on Palestine's rich ancient history and a reading of Herodotus, from 5th Century BCE, and considered to be the 'Father of History'.

This episode originally aired in February 2025: Liv speaks with ancient and biblical scholar Chance Bonar about the history of Palestine and the ancient Levant. This conversation examines the history of the place and the people, people which included Jews and Judaism co-existing with others who have called that land home since the Bronze Age, those same people the west seeks to erase. There is no attempt to delegitimize Jewish history in the region, only to examine how many peoples existed there and for how long. We look at the myth of the Roman Empire "inventing" Palestine and all the many crimes the Romans did in fact commit against the people in that region, primarily the ancient Jews and Judaism itself. The love being sent to Palestine here does not exclude Judaism but embraces all of the people who have called that land home. Everyone deserves to live freely on their ancestral land and no country should exist where one group has more rights and freedoms than another.

Submit to the quarterly Q&A at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing.

Further reading: Everyday Orientalism's Palestine primer; Rashid Khalidi's Hundred Years War on Palestine.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liv reads Book 9 of Statius' Thebaid, translated by JH Mozley. The battle between the Argives and Thebans, aka between the brother Polyneices and Eteocles, continues... and it's pretty dramatic. Submit to the quarterly Q&A at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any that don't have "Liv Reads..." in the title! For a list of Roman/Latin names and who they generally refer to in the Greek, visit: mythsbaby.com/names

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liv answers more listener questions including the lost Heroes Crying to Mommy question, all things virgin-goddess-gender-fluidity, Bad Women of Homer, and so much more... Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newsflash: the Iliad is an anti-war epic. Liv and Michaela speak with returning guest Joel Christensen about (ostensibly!) the Iliad, all the reasons it's NOT a pro-war epic, and why empathy is VITAL to humanity, not a bug. NOTE: this episode was recorded a few months ago and discusses the g-cide in Palestine and other Western war [crimes]. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liv reads Book 8 of Statius' Thebaid, translated by JH Mozley. When the prophet-hero Amphiareus dies, even the king of the Underworld is a little thrown off. Plus, the war of brothers begins in earnest... Submit to the quarterly Q&A at mythsbaby.com/questions and get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any that don't have "Liv Reads..." in the title! For a list of Roman/Latin names and who they generally refer to in the Greek, visit: mythsbaby.com/names

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since we're on a bit of an Odyssey kick, this episode originally aired in May 2024 and stay tuned for Joel returning to talk the Iliad! Liv speaks with Joel Christensen about Odysseus and the Odyssey and what we really should take from his long and storied journey. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liv is neck-deep in the Odyssey which means today she and Michaela chat Odysseus' travels, particularly Polyphemus and the 'othering' of the Cyclops. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

Sources: Emily Wilson's translation of Homer's Odyssey.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For something a little fun and different this is an episode of Movies We Dig, part of the Memory Collective Podcast Network, featuring yours truly! We recorded this episode breaking down the show Spartacus: Gods of the Arena a few years back and it was too fun to resist dropping in my feed. Find more from Movies We Dig.

Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. I try to provide direct warnings when there is reference to anything with overtly traumatic themes but be aware that Greek mythology regularly features assault, death, and many other potentially triggering events.

Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.