34 Circe Salon -- Make Matriarchy Great Again -- Disrupting History

Max Dashu - Helen of Troy and Women of the Trojan War

Jun 27, 2021

Max Dashu, a noted scholar of women in history, discusses Helen of Troy and women in the Bronze Age. Topics include the presence of matriarchy in phallo-centric cultures, women's expression of power during the Trojan War, and the significance of Cassandra and Antigone. The podcast also explores the complex narratives surrounding Helen and the background of the Mycenaeans. Other topics include the mythic conquest of Thetus, conflicting heirs in Greek mythology, the tragic story of Cassandra, Greek paintings depicting the male gaze, and the treatment of Spartan women.

01:12:25

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Episode guests

Max Dashu

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast delves into the complexities of the Trojan War era, exploring the societal dynamics and power structures of the Mycenaean civilization.

The episode highlights the discrepancies in the narratives surrounding Helen's involvement in the war and examines the impact of the war on the Mycenaean civilization and power dynamics in the region.

The podcast explores the divine nature of Helen and the matricultural elements in Greek mythology, emphasizing the glorification of war and the sympathies towards rapists in ancient Greek myths.

Deep dives

Women in the Trojan War Era

In this podcast episode, the discussion revolves around the depiction of women in the Trojan War era. The speaker emphasizes the contradictory narratives surrounding Helen, who is portrayed differently depending on the source. Despite the mythic nature of the story, the episode delves into the various realities of the time, exploring the societal dynamics and power structures of the Mycenaean civilization. The Mycenaeans were a raiding and trading society, wielding power and exerting control over regions like Turkey. The episode also touches on the importance of the priestesses and goddesses present in the Mycenaean society, highlighting the prevalent female leadership in the religious sphere.

Introduction

3min

The Mycenaeans: An Ancient Greek Powerhouse

15min

Discussion of the Trojan War Backstory and the Epic Cycle

2min

The Mythic Conquest of Thetus and the Apple of Discord

17min

Patron Lineage and Conflicting Heirs

12min

The Tragic Story of Cassandra: Enslavement, Prophecy, and Rape

2min

Greek Paintings and Spartan Women

17min

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Webcast

3min

“Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium--
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.--"

So wrote Christopher Marlowe of one of the most famous names in history: Helen of Troy. But who was Helen and what was life like for women of that era?"

Join us as we talk to again with Max Dashu, noted scholar of women in history, about Helen of Troy and women in that portion of the Bronze Age. Were there still strands of matriarchy in these highly phallo-centric cultures? How did women express their power in the time of the Trojan War? What about Cassandra and Antigone and the other women immortalized in the Epic Cycle of the Trojan War?

Of course, at the center of it all is the question: Who was this Helen, the woman whose faced launched a thousand ships?

Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden co-host.

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