Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society What The Ancient Greeks Got Wrong About The Female Body
Sep 6, 2024
Helen King, an author specializing in the history of the female body, joins the discussion to unravel the perplexing ancient Greek concepts surrounding women's anatomy. They explore the comical depiction of the womb as an octopus and the absurd medical beliefs about female anatomy that persist today. Topics include the cultural obsession with virginity, misconceptions about the clitoris, and the outdated medical practices based on these historical beliefs. The conversation reveals how these ancient views continue to shape societal attitudes toward women's health and identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unchallenged Authority
- Ancient Greek medical texts remained largely unchallenged for centuries.
- This was due to the reverence for classical knowledge and the perceived unchanging nature of the human body.
Wandering Womb Misdiagnosis
- Helen King recounts a scenario of a Greek doctor misdiagnosing a wandering womb.
- The patient's best course of action was often to feign agreement to avoid further complications.
Fundamental Differences
- Ancient Greeks believed men and women were fundamentally different, not just in reproductive organs.
- They thought women's flesh was spongier, more absorbent, and fundamentally different from men's.