Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! | Greek Mythology & the Ancient Mediterranean - podcast cover

Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! | Greek Mythology & the Ancient Mediterranean

Liv Albert mythsbaby.com

The most entertaining and enraging stories from 'Classical' mythology (and, often, ancient history of the wider Mediterranean!) told casually, contemporarily, and (more often than not) sarcastically. The world of Greek mythology and the history of the wider ancient Mediterranean is full of wonder, horror, and utter hilarity. These myths and stories are timeless for a reason, they're just as relevant today as they were 2500+ years ago. With over 700 episodes and counting, we dive deep into the realm of gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everything in between.


Regular episodes every Tuesday, conversations with authors and scholars or readings of ancient epics every Friday. LTAMB: The Oracle Edition has ad-free episodes and so much more. Learn more about the podcast, and Liv's work, including her book Greek Mythology: the Gods, Goddess, and Heroes Handbook at mythsbaby.com.

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Episodes

She’s Everything, He’s Just Jason… Seneca’s Medea Part 2

Continuing on our first ever Roman tragedy... Seneca's Medea is mouthier, angrier, and even more vengeful and violent than Euripides, and I'm here for it. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Seneca's Medea, Oxford Classics edition translated by Emily Wilson; Seneca's ...

Aug 22, 202340 minSeason 7Ep. 533

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses Book XII

Liv reads Book XII of Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Brookes More. The Greeks prepare for war with Troy, Caenis becomes Caeneus, there's a war between Centaurs and Lapiths, and Achilles, well... No spoilies. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing i...

Aug 18, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 7Ep. 532

Who Knew Medea Could Be Even Angrier, Even More Bloodthirsty? (Seneca’s Medea Part 1)

It's time for our first ever Roman tragedy... Seneca's Medea is mouthier, angrier, and even more vengeful than Euripides, and I'm here for it. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Seneca's Medea, Oxford Classics edition translated by Emily Wilson; Seneca's Medea transl...

Aug 15, 202340 minSeason 7Ep. 531

Conversations: A Bronze Age Iliad, Trans Achilles in Wrath Goddess Sing w/ Maya Deane

Liv speaks with Maya Deane, author of Wrath Goddess Sing, about her retelling of the Iliad, trans Achilles, and writing a historically Bronze Age Trojan War... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found...

Aug 11, 20231 hr 30 minSeason 7Ep. 530

But What About Rome?! Roman Mythology & the Great Mother Cybele

Liv dives (or perhaps wades into the shallows) of Roman mythology and religion, and tells the story of how the Phrygian goddess Cybele ended up in Italy. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Theoi.com entry on Cybele, Agdistis , and Attis ; Ovid's Fasti , translated by...

Aug 08, 202343 minSeason 7Ep. 529

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses Book XI

Liv reads Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book 11, translated by Brookes More. Orpheus is torn to shreds, Hesione faces a sea monster, the story of Ceyx and Halcyone, and more... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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! Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be f...

Aug 04, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 7Ep. 528

Augustus Demands Respect, Rome’s Foundation Myths w/ The Partial Historians

Liv is joined by the Partial Historians who share the myths surrounding the foundation of Rome. Liv also shares the Athenian foundational myth. This episode was formerly Patreon exclusive! Find the Partial Historians here or wherever you're listening to this podcast. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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 r...

Aug 01, 202350 minSeason 7Ep. 527

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses, Book X

Liv reads Book 10 of Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Brookes More. We've got Orpheus and Eurydice, lost loves of Apollo, Atalanta's foot race, and the horrifying origins of Adonis, among others! Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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! Attributions and licensing information for musi...

Jul 28, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 7Ep. 526

All I Really Want Is To Talk About the Fire-Breathing Goat… Bellerophon, Pegasus, and the Chimera

Diving deeper into the story of Bellerophon, the perpetually forgotten hero who defeated the absolutely magnificent Chimera (and was the only hero to actually ride Pegasus!). Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Theoi entries on Bellerophon ; ToposText entries on Belle...

Jul 25, 202346 minSeason 7Ep. 524

Medicine & Magic, Underworld Gods, Plato & Herodotus Being Weird Guys, an Anniversary Special

In celebration of SIX YEARS of the podcast, Liv answers listener questions, reads comments, and shares clips from favourite episodes. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sourc...

Jul 21, 20231 hr 48 minSeason 7Ep. 523

Six Years of Dangerous Gods & Castration Foam, an Anniversary Special

In celebration of SIX YEARS of the podcast, Liv answers listener questions, reads comments, and shares clips from favourite episodes. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sourc...

Jul 18, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 6Ep. 522

Conversations: “Not To Have a Go at Big P Pausanias” Material Culture in the Hellenistic Period w/ Jerome Ruddick

Liv speaks with PhD researcher Jerome Ruddick about material culture in Arcadia, Crete, and Tyre during the Hellenistic Period (plus, lots of Big P Pausanias). Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found...

Jul 14, 20231 hr 21 minSeason 6Ep. 521

Wandering Across the Ancient World, the Mesopotamian & Phoenician Origins of Aphrodite

Before she was Aphrodite, she was Kypris, and before she was Kypris, well, she was Astarte and Inanna/Ishtar. This is the story of Aphrodite's origins in ancient Phoenicia and Mesopotamia. You can submit your questions or comments or favourites here! Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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 re...

Jul 11, 202339 minSeason 6Ep. 520

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses, Book IX

Liv reads Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book IX, translated by Brookes More. Heracles angers a centaur and dies a painful death, his mother and Iole tell stories. Byblis falls for her brother and Iphis loves Ianthe. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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! Attributions and licensing information...

Jul 07, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 6Ep. 519

Famous for Being Hot, Aphrodite & Adonis’… Tumultuous Relationship & Eastern Origins

Adonis is known for being beautiful enough to catch the eye of the goddess of Beauty, but it turns out there's so much more to those two, including origins in Mesopotamia and Phoenicia. You can submit your questions or comments or favourites here! Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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 ...

Jul 04, 202335 minSeason 6Ep. 518

Conversations: When the Emperors Ruled Greece, the Roman Period w/ Dan Stewart

Liv speaks with lecturer Dan Stewart about the world of Greece (Particularly Crete!) during the Roman Period. Follow Dan on Twitter . Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sourc...

Jun 30, 20231 hr 31 minSeason 6Ep. 517

That Guy Really Got Around! Heracles (Hercules) & His Many, Many Boyfriends

Heracles had lovers all over the ancient Greek world, and a whole collection of them were men. These are their stories and, let's be honestly, brief mentions and anecotes. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Wikipedia entries on Heracles and various lovers, with sourc...

Jun 27, 202334 minSeason 6Ep. 516

Conversations: Queering the Classical World w/ Yentl Love (the Queer Classicist)

Liv speaks with PhD student Yentl Love about queerness in the ancient world and Greek mythology, about classical reception in Lil Nas X (!!) and so much more. Follow Yentl (the Queer Classicist) on Twitter , and learn more on her site . Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attr...

Jun 23, 20231 hr 22 minSeason 6Ep. 515

It’s Almost Like Being Trans Isn’t New… Transgender Transformations in Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Now more than ever we should remember (and have evidence!) that being trans and seeking gender affirmation has always existed... This episode looks at the evidence in Ovid. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Stephanie McCarter (ent...

Jun 20, 202342 minSeason 6Ep. 514

Conversations: Modern Mythologizing, Hellenizing Apuleius, Psyche & Eros w/ Luna McNamara

Liv is joined by author Luna McNamara to discuss her new novel Psyche & Eros (and so much more myth!). Find Psyche & Eros wherever you get your books and follow Luna on Twitter and Instagram . Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information f...

Jun 16, 20231 hr 28 minSeason 6Ep. 513

Socrates & Alcibiades, the Lovers You Never Knew You Needed (Plato’s Symposium Part 2)

Not only does Plato's Symposium hype up love between men as quite literally godlike, but it also provides us with the absolutely wild idea of Aristophanean soulmates... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Plato's Symposium, Penguin edition translated by Christopher Gi...

Jun 13, 202342 minSeason 6Ep. 512

Conversations: So Are They Cousins Or Not?! The Love of Achilles & Patroclus w/ Charlotte Gregory

Liv speaks with PhD student Charlotte Gregory about all things Achilles and Patroclus, their relationship, and how modern Classical reception depicts their love, cousin or otherwise. Follow Charlotte on Twitter. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing in...

Jun 09, 20231 hr 38 minSeason 6Ep. 511

Plato Says Being Gay is Absolutely Divine… The Symposium (Part 1)

Not only does Plato's Symposium hype up love between men as quite literally godlike, but it also provides us with the absolutely wild idea of Aristophanean soulmates... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Plato's Symposium, Penguin edition translated by Christopher Gi...

Jun 06, 202340 minSeason 6Ep. 510

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses Book VIII

Liv reads Book 8 of Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Brookes More. Lesser known stories of Minos, Atalanta, Erysichthon and so many more... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! For a list of Roman/Latin names and who they were in the Greek, visit: mythsbaby.com/names 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! Attributions...

Jun 02, 20231 hr 14 minSeason 6Ep. 509

Who Doesn’t Like a Good (If, Deadly) Riddle? Laius, Chrysippus & the Sphinx

Why was Thebes the way it was? Why was the Sphinx sent there, and was it Laius' fault? We're looking at all the Sphinxian background to Oedipus Tyrannos. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Oedipus Tyrannos as retold in the past three episodes; Early Greek Myths by Ti...

May 30, 202337 minSeason 6Ep. 508

Conversations: Jason as Colonizer, Rewriting Medea w/ Savage Beasts Author Rani Selvarajah

Liv is joined by Rani Selvarajah to talk about her Medea retelling set in colonial India ( and gods, so much more!). Follow Rani on Twitter and Instagram . Order Savage Beasts in the UK (and Commonwealth aside from Canada) wherever you get your books, or from Blackwell's who ship internationally . Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as def...

May 26, 20231 hr 25 minSeason 6Ep. 507

And It All Goes Up In Flames, Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannos (Part 3)

In the finale episode of Sophocles' Tyrannos... Well, everything we all know is coming, comes out... Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Oedipus Tyrannos (sometimes called Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King): short quotes are from the translation by Frank Nisetich, passa...

May 23, 202344 minSeason 6Ep. 506

Conversations: Tyche & Teaching Via TikTok w/ “Historical Han” Hannah Parker

Liv speaks with Masters student (and TikTok star!) Hannah Parker "Historical Han", about the goddess Tyche, and teaching through Tiktok. Follow Hannah on Tiktok and Instagram . Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the pod...

May 19, 20231 hr 19 minSeason 6Ep. 505

TFW Maybe You Did Actually Do The Thing You’re Accused Of, Oops (Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannos Part 2)

Oedipus defends himself against the accusations, but there's much more to the death of Laius than he understands... Plus, gods so many prophecies! Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! 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. Sources: Short excerpt from Homer's Odyssey , translated by Samuel Butler; Oedipus Tyrannos (s...

May 16, 202339 minSeason 6Ep. 504

Liv Reads Ovid: The Metamorphoses Book VII

Liv reads Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book 7, translated by Brookes More. It's time for none other than MEDEA and Jason... and some other happenings including a hint of Theseus and the little Myrmidon ants. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! For a list of Roman/Latin names and who they were in the Greek, visit: mythsbaby.com/names This is not a standard narrative story episode, it's a reading of an ancient source, audiobook style. For regular episodes look for any...

May 12, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 6Ep. 503
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