Natalie Haynes on Medea: Greek Tragedy's Most Shocking Heroine

Natalie Haynes on Medea: Greek Tragedy's Most Shocking Heroine

Author: Classical Wisdom April 2, 2026 Duration: 54:03
Barbarian, witch, murderer… and mother. Today Anya is joined by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes to discuss one of Greek mythology’s most famous and dramatic characters, Medea. Discover the complex legends and legacy of Medea, from her daring love story with Jason to its dark aftermath… and how the Greek tragedian Euripides transformed her how her story is told, forever. Natalie Haynes is the author of several acclaimed books about women in Greek mythology, including Divine Might, ...

There's a quiet conversation happening across the centuries, and tuning into Classical Wisdom Speaks lets you overhear it. This isn't a dry lecture series, but a place where the vivid stories, enduring philosophies, and complex lives of the ancient world are examined for what they can tell us today. Each episode, brought to you by Classical Wisdom, feels like a thoughtful discussion with experts who are passionate about making these ideas accessible and relevant. You'll hear about the strategic dilemmas faced by Athenian generals, the poetic insights of Sappho, or the ethical questions posed by Stoic thinkers, all framed in a way that connects directly to contemporary life. The goal is to listen to these foundational voices not as historical artifacts, but as active participants in our own modern dilemmas. This history podcast thrives on the belief that the struggles for meaning, justice, and a good life are timeless, and that the ancients still have a lot to say if we know how to listen. The dialogue between past and present is surprisingly lively, and each episode invites you to join in, finding unexpected guidance and perspective from some of history's most profound minds.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Classical Wisdom Speaks
Podcast Episodes
Stoicism and Buddhism: Two Sides of the Same Coin? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:55
How did two different philosophies - that have seen a resurgence of interest in the Western world - both arrive at such similar conclusions for how to live a happy life? Despite being separated by hundreds of years and t…
How Did Ancient Civilizations Rebuild? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
What happens AFTER an apocalypse? How did ancient societies rebuild after catastrophic events… and what can that teach us about our world now? Today, Anya is joined by DR ERIC H. CLINE, author of the bestselling history…
The Philosophy of Anxiety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:47
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders. Considered pathology, it is the most diagnosed and medicated of all psychological disorders... but what if it isn't always or only a medical condition? From…
Galen: Doctor to the Emperors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:02
Discover how the best physician is also a philosopher… From the gladiators’ arena to the imperial court, the life and career of the ancient doctor Galen is among the most extraordinary in the ancient world. A Greek, a Ro…
A Different Take on Plato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
It’s philosophy’s ultimate dinner party… and you’re invited. On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by Professor Alex Priou to discuss Plato’s most joyful and playful work, The Symposium. Discover how taking…
Secrets of the Scythians [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:46
Discover the ancient nomadic tribe that helped inspire the myth of the Amazons… and their legacy in the world today. On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by Professor Christopher Beckwith, an expert on the…
The Truth About the Life of Plato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
They say all philosophy is but a series of footnotes to Plato. Yet the remarkable story of the great philosopher’s life has remained untold—until now. On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by independent sch…
Ancient Greece's Most Complicated Women? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
Take a deep dive into three of ancient Greece's most fascinating women - both historical and mythological. What can we discover about Sappho, Medea and Antigone by studying the original texts? Join Diane Rayor, an extrem…
Did Socrates Teach Morality? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:12
In a world brimming with information and rapidly shifting beliefs, the lessons from Socrates resonate more than ever. How do we seek knowledge in an age of uncertainty? How can we engage in meaningful dialogue that encou…
How Should We Treat Animals? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
The ancients had plenty of thoughts about animals... but are their insights helpful to us now? How did they treat animals? What did they think of them? And should we eat meat? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is w…