Classical Wisdom Speaks

Women of the Ancient World

May 29, 2025
Join award-winning classicist Daisy Dunn as she sheds light on the often-ignored women who shaped ancient civilizations, from Penelope to Fulvia. Daisy discusses the impactful yet underrepresented voices in history, emphasizing figures like Fulvia and her dynamic role in Roman politics. She also highlights the bravery of women such as Enheduanna and Telesilla. Tune in to uncover how these stories enrich our understanding of the ancient world and challenge traditional narratives that have sidelined their contributions.
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INSIGHT

Weaving as History's Metaphor

  • Weaving symbolizes not just women's work but the act of weaving history by bringing women's overlooked contributions forward.
  • Women's roles are the "missing thread" in ancient narratives, integral yet often omitted.
ADVICE

Search Primary Sources for Women

  • Go back to primary historical sources searching specifically for women’s roles to reconstruct their history.
  • Use all types of evidence: written, epigraphic, artistic, archaeological to build a fuller picture.
INSIGHT

Surprise Women in Ancient Texts

  • Ancient historians like Herodotus included many women shaping events, contrasting with others like Thucydides who largely omitted women.
  • Continuous re-examination reveals overlooked influential women embedded in classical texts.
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