Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men

Meet the goddesses, warriors, witches, and monsters who shaped and subverted womanhood from the very beginning in this this bold, empowering illustrated collection perfect for fans of New York Times bestseller Circe. Was Circe really just a temptress?  Were the Amazons nothing more than bloodthirsty fighters?  And was Athena truly the role model ancient women needed? In Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men, expert classicist Mara Gold recenters the women at the heart of some of the world’s most enduring myths. From Greek and Roman legends to tales from around the globe, this fresh, feminist take shines a new light on iconic figures like Medusa, Hera, and Persephone, revealing the power, complexity, and agency they’ve always had. Vibrantly illustrated and told with clarity and wit, Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men is a must-read for mythology lovers and anyone eager to revisit these stories through a new lens. These women were never just supporting characters—it’s time they took the spotlight.

Mara Gold is a writer, performer, and researcher completing her PhD in Classics at the University of Oxford, where she specializes in women’s classical reception and scholarship through the lenses of modern gender, sexuality and feminism. She has written chapters for titles published by Bloomsbury (Ancient Egypt in the Modern Imagination; Women Creating Classics) and Cambridge University Press. She has also written and performed for stage, radio, and screen, and works with museums on LGBTQIA+ storytelling, access, and outreach. As a disabled and autistic lesbian, she is extremely passionate about championing access. Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men is her first book.

Introduction Chapter 1: Homemaker- Gaia - Rhea - Demeter and Persephone - Penelope - Pandora - Pasiphaë - Lamia Chapter 2: Virgin- Athena - Artemis - Hestia Chapter 3: Warrior- Amazons - Srikandi - Atalanta - Joan of Arc - Valkyries  - Sehkmet Chapter 4: Femme Fatale- Aphrodite - Helen of Troy - Clytemnestra - Calypso Chapter 5: Witch- Hecate - Medea - Circe - Kurangaituku Chapter Six: Madwoman- Maenads - Women of Lemnos - Furies - Cassandra - Hera Chapter 7: Monster- Medusa - Ceto - Scylla and Charybdis - Sirens and Mermaids - Echidna - Chimera - Sphinx Conclusion Acknowledgements Index