The Ancients Medea: Maligned Sorceress or Heartless Murderer?
Jan 11, 2026
In this discussion, classical scholar and bestselling author Natalie Haynes delves into the multifaceted character of Medea, exploring her journey from a powerful Colchian teen to a feared figure in Greek mythology. Natalie unpacks the complexities of Medea's actions, her betrayal of family, and how ancient perceptions of gender and culture shape her narrative. The analysis highlights different portrayals of Medea across historical texts and questions whether she truly deserves her villainous reputation.
52:36
Medea Is Ancient And Evolving
- Medea appears across Greek literature from Homer and Hesiod through Pindar to Euripides, showing her story's deep antiquity.
- Her myth evolved with each retelling, so later versions respond directly to Euripides' powerful 431 BCE portrayal.
A Lifetime With Medea On Stage
- Natalie Haynes has followed Medea for decades, seeing roughly 30 productions in multiple languages and writing her undergraduate dissertation on Euripides.
- Her long engagement motivated a novel and sustained scholarly interest in the character.
Multiple Medeas Across Sources
- Different authors present distinct Medeas: a powerful, smitten Colchian in Apollonius and a politically powerless exile in Euripides.
- Reconciling these snapshots requires imagining her development across time and contexts.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Who Is Medea and Why She Matters
02:32 • 1min
Natalie's Lifelong Interest in Medea
03:48 • 2min
How Many Ancient Versions Exist
05:36 • 4min
Different Portraits of Medea Across Sources
09:18 • 4min
Medea's Origins: Colchis and the Caucasus
13:00 • 2min
Medea as Barbarian and Culture Clash
14:50 • 3min
Medea Meets Jason: Magic and Love
17:40 • 4min
Ad break
21:37 • 2min
Jason, the Argonauts, and Medea's Betrayal
23:30 • 3min
Corinth, Athens and Medea's Exile
26:36 • 3min
Were Medea and Jason Well Matched?
29:38 • 6min
First Monologue: Women's Plight in Athens
35:17 • 9min
Deliberation on Infanticide
44:35 • 2min
The Chariot Exit and Divine Response
47:03 • 3min
Roman Retellings and Ovid's Perspective
49:43 • 4min
Natalie's Novel: No Friend to This House
54:11 • 2min
Outro
56:21 • 1min
#82343
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Aeschylus' "The Persians" is a tragedy that offers a unique perspective on the Greco-Persian Wars by depicting the aftermath of the Battle of Salamis from the Persian viewpoint.
The play portrays the grief and anxiety of the Persian court as they await news of the battle, highlighting the human cost of war and the consequences of hubris.
The play delves into themes of imperial power, cultural clash, and the fragility of human ambition.
Aeschylus' work provides a compelling and empathetic portrayal of the defeated enemy, offering a profound reflection on the nature of conflict and the shared humanity of victor and vanquished.
It remains a significant work.
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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.
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Aphrodite, enraged by his rejection, causes Phaedra, Hippolytus' stepmother, to fall madly in love with him.
Phaedra's unrequited love and her subsequent suicide lead to Hippolytus's unjust death.
The play is known for its exploration of complex emotions and its tragic consequences.
The play's exploration of love, jealousy, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions remains relevant today.
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The plays delve into the moral complexities of revenge, the conflict between individual and societal justice, and the role of the gods in human affairs.
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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.
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Euripides
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Through a series of dramatic events, Iphigenia and Orestes eventually recognize each other and escape Tauris together.
#52725
Euripides' Medea
Euripides
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Theogony
Hesiod
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?
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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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