The Ancients Medea
Jan 11, 2026
Natalie Haynes, an acclaimed classicist and bestselling author, dives deep into the complexities of Medea, a figure often viewed as a villain in Greek myth. They explore her origins in Colchis, her tumultuous relationship with Jason, and the various portrayals of her character throughout history. Haynes highlights Medea's first monologue, examining the plight of women in a patriarchal society, and debates her dire choices and motivations. Their discussion also touches on the evolving narratives in Roman retellings, shedding light on Medea's enduring legacy.
52:36
Medea's Story Is Ancient And Persistent
- Medea's story appears across Greek literature from Homer and Hesiod to Euripides and Apollonius, showing its deep roots.
- The tale evolved over centuries, influencing every later retelling up to Roman times.
A Lifelong Medea Engagement
- Natalie Haynes studied Medea from school through university and has seen about 30 productions in multiple languages.
- Her long engagement shaped her novel and scholarly perspective on the character.
Multiple Medeas Across Versions
- Different authors highlight different Medeas: prophetess, witch, or grieving exile, reflecting varied narrative needs.
- Euripides' single-day focus makes her crisis intensely theatrical compared with longer narratives.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Introducing Medea and Natalie Haynes
02:32 • 2min
Sources and Early Mentions of Medea
04:33 • 1min
How Medea's Story Varied Over Time
05:49 • 4min
Reconciling Medea's Different Portrayals
09:32 • 4min
Medea's Origins: Colchis and the Caucasus
13:12 • 5min
Meeting Jason: Love, Magic, and Divine Plotting
17:46 • 4min
Ad break
21:37 • 2min
Medea's Violence and the Brother Absyrtus
23:30 • 3min
Corinth, Athens and Medea's Exile
26:36 • 3min
Were Medea and Jason Well Matched?
29:51 • 5min
Medea's First Monologue: Women's Plight
35:17 • 9min
The Deliberation: Should Medea Kill Her Children?
44:38 • 49sec
Consequences and the Chariot Exit
45:28 • 4min
Roman Retellings: Ovid and Seneca
49:50 • 2min
Roman Gender Norms and Medea's Reception
51:52 • 2min
No Friend to This House — Natalie’s Novel
54:11 • 2min
Outro
56:13 • 2min
#90883
No Friend to This House
Natalie Haynes
No Friend to This House reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Medea, a powerful sorceress and princess who seeks revenge against her husband, Jason, for his betrayal.
The novel likely delves into Medea's motivations and experiences, offering a fresh perspective on her actions and the societal forces that shape her destiny.
It might explore themes of betrayal, revenge, love, and the complexities of female agency in a patriarchal world.
The story probably provides a nuanced portrayal of Medea, delving into her emotional and psychological landscape as she grapples with her identity, her desires, and the consequences of her choices.
By retelling the classic myth, the novel aims to shed light on the enduring relevance of Medea's story and its exploration of human nature and morality.
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Pindar’s Pythian 4
Ode for Arcesilas of Cyrene
Pindar
The Fourth Pythian Ode, composed to honor the four-horse chariot victory of Arcesilas IV of Cyrene at the Pythian Games in Delphi, is widely regarded as Pindar’s grandest and most elaborate epinician song.
Structured in thirteen triads, it interweaves the immediate triumph of the Cyrenaean king with an expansive Argonautic narrative centered on Jason, Medea, and the voyage of the Argo, making it the longest extant non‑dramatic Greek choral ode.
Pindar uses Medea’s prophecy and the story of the Argonaut Euphemus to trace the mythic foundations of the Battiad dynasty and the colonization of Cyrene, forging a continuum between heroic myth and the present rule of Arcesilas.
The ode is notable for its strong epic coloring, complex narrative technique, and its integration of personal and civic politics: after the mythic section, Pindar turns to the contemporary political tensions in Cyrene and ends with an unprecedented request that Arcesilas recall the exile Damophilus, likely a patron connected with the song’s commission.
These features have made Pythian 4 a key text for studying Pindar’s poetics, his treatment of history in song, and his role as a mediator and advisor within the politics of Greek aristocratic communities.
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Medea and Her Children
Lyudmila Ulitskaya
#
Aeschylus Agamemnon
Aeschylus
string
#19609
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Xenophon's Economics
Household Management
Xenophon
Xenophon's "Economics," also known as "Xenophon's Household Management," offers a glimpse into the management of a Greek household in the 4th century BC. The text covers various aspects of household administration, including resource management, financial planning, and the roles of different household members.
It provides valuable insights into the economic and social structures of ancient Greece.
Xenophon's work is considered a significant contribution to ancient Greek literature and economics, offering a practical guide to household management that has resonated through the centuries.
Its enduring relevance lies in its exploration of timeless principles of resource management and household organization.
#82923
Iphigenia among the Taurians
Euripides
Iphigenia in Tauris is a tragedy by Euripides, believed to have been written around 414 BCE. The play tells the story of Iphigenia, who was saved from sacrifice by Artemis and transported to Tauris, where she serves as a priestess in the goddess's temple.
Her duty is to sacrifice any Greek who lands on the shores of Tauris.
When Orestes, her brother, arrives with his friend Pylades, Iphigenia is tasked with sacrificing them.
The play explores themes of fate, identity, recognition, and the possibility of redemption.
Through a series of dramatic events, Iphigenia and Orestes eventually recognize each other and escape Tauris together.
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Sophocles' Ajax
Sophocles
Ajax is a tragedy by Sophocles that explores the themes of honor, madness, and shame.
The play centers on the Greek hero Ajax, a mighty warrior who feels dishonored after losing a contest for Achilles' armor to Odysseus.
Driven to madness by the goddess Athena, Ajax attempts to murder his comrades but ends up slaughtering livestock instead.
Overwhelmed by shame and disgrace, Ajax resolves to take his own life, despite attempts by his wife Tecmessa and his half-brother Teucer to dissuade him.
The play delves into the psychological torment of a once-great hero and the devastating consequences of wounded pride.
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Euripides' Medea
Euripides
Euripides' 'Medea' is a Greek tragedy centered on Medea, a barbarian princess, and her husband Jason.
Jason abandons Medea for Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth, leading Medea to seek revenge.
Her vengeance culminates in the murder of her own children, a shocking act driven by betrayal and despair.
The play explores themes of justice, revenge, and the outsider's perspective in a patriarchal society.
Medea's powerful emotions and ruthless actions challenge conventional morality, making the play a timeless exploration of human nature and societal norms.
#5364
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Medea
Euripides
The play revolves around Medea, a Colchian princess and sorceress, who seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he decides to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
Medea, feeling betrayed and dishonored, plots to kill Glauce, Creon, and her own children to inflict maximum pain on Jason.
With the help of Aegeus, King of Athens, who offers her sanctuary, Medea executes her plan, leading to the tragic deaths of several characters and her eventual escape in a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun-god Helios.
The play explores themes of injustice, revenge, and the power of women in ancient Greek society.
#8600
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Argonautica
Apollonius of Rhodes
#3824
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Metamorphoses
Frank Justus Miller
Robert Squillace
Ovid
#2342
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Homer's odyssey
Gwen Cooper
Homer's Odyssey is a memoir by Gwen Cooper that chronicles her life with a blind cat named Homer.
Despite being born without eyes, Homer grows into a spirited and loving companion who faces numerous challenges, including surviving the aftermath of 9/11 and defending his home against an intruder.
Through Homer's adventures, Cooper reflects on the profound impact he had on her life, teaching her about courage, love, and living beyond limitations.
#2125
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Theogony
Hesiod
#10706
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Heroides
Ovid
Ovid's Heroides is a collection of fictional love letters written from the perspective of mythological heroines to their absent lovers.
The poems explore themes of longing, betrayal, and unrequited love.
The letters are characterized by intense emotion and vivid imagery.
They offer a glimpse into the complexities of love and relationships in ancient mythology.
The Heroides' enduring popularity reflects its timeless exploration of human emotions.
She helped Jason win the Golden Fleece, betrayed her own family, and became one of the most feared figures in Greek myth. Medea’s name has echoed through the ancient world for over two millennia, a byword for passion and revenge but was she really a villain?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by acclaimed classicist and bestselling author Natalie Haynes to unravel the full story of Medea. From her origins in distant Colchis on the edge of the Greek imagination to her unforgettable portrayal in Euripides’ tragedy, they explore how the ancient Greeks understood Medea, why her vengeance shocked audiences, and whether she was ever truly the villain of her own story?
MORE
Jason and the Argonauts
Medusa
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit to watch Natalie Haynes new two-part documentary Divine Fury - Demeter and Persephone. Natalie unravels the story of Persephone’s abduction and Demeter’s fierce response. Filmed across Athens, Eleusis and beyond, the film traces how the myth was transformed into the Eleusinian mysteries, one of the most profound and secretive experiences of the ancient world.
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