Fertility and Childbirth in Greco-Roman Egypt

Dr. Ada Nifosì tells us about the gymnastics of ancient Egyptian birth, why Egyptian women ate donkey balls and their cats ate penis cakes,  and why the god Seth should be avoided at all costs.

Childbirth was a scary time for women, and that desire for safety and comfort is reflected in their stories about their gods. The most important goddess, Isis, was enshrined in Egyptian mythology as giving birth in dangerous circumstances.  Women turned to amulets, charms, midwives and wise women, their families, for assurance.

Access transcript and episode show notes: www.womenwhowentbefore.com/episodes/the-pee-test

Women Who Went Before is written, produced, and edited by Emily Chesley and Rebekah Haigh.

This episode was fact-checked by Emily G. Smith-Sangster.

Podcast theme music is composed and produced by Moses Sun.

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Culture, Society, and Religion, the Program in Judaic Studies, the Stanley J. Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies, and the Committtee for the Study of Late Antiquity at Princeton University.

Views expressed on the podcast are solely those of the individuals, and do not represent Princeton University.