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
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.
Medea As The Tragic Outsider
- Greek tragedy often uses culture clash by placing foreigners at the centre, and Medea exemplifies the 'invented barbarian'.
- Her foreignness highlights tensions between Greek values and those of the margins.
How The Gods Made Medea Fall
- In Apollonius' Argonautica, gods ensure Medea falls for Jason via Eros or Aphrodite's intervention.
- These divine manipulations portray her betrayal of family as driven by irresistible erotic magic, not mere flightiness.
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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
#79323
The Persians by Aeschylus
Aeschylus
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.
#15944
• Mentioned in 3 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.
#15005
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Hippolytus
Euripides
Euripides' "Hippolytus" is a Greek tragedy that explores themes of love, revenge, and the destructive power of jealousy.
The play centers on Hippolytus, the son of Theseus, who is devoted to the hunt and rejects Aphrodite's advances.
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.
Its enduring appeal lies in its exploration of the human condition and its tragic consequences.
#2543
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Metamorphoses
Frank Justus Miller
Robert Squillace
Ovid
#7700
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Argonautica
Apollonius of Rhodes
#27015
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Oresteia of Aeschylus
Aeschylus
The Oresteia, a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BC, explores themes of justice, revenge, and the transition from personal vengeance to a system of law.
Comprising Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers (Choephoroi), and The Eumenides, the trilogy follows the curse on the House of Atreus, beginning with the murder of Agamemnon by his wife Clytemnestra and continuing with the matricide committed by their son Orestes.
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.
Through its powerful characters and dramatic storytelling, The Oresteia remains a cornerstone of Western literature, examining fundamental questions about justice, morality, and the human condition.
#2232
• Mentioned in 20 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.
#16820
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
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.
#36086
Medea and Her Children
Lyudmila Ulitskaya
#27693
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
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.
#61137
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.
#10166
• Mentioned in 5 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.
#2260
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
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?
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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