Domina Tempora

Domina Tempora

By Marianne FisherHistory
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Domina Tempora episodes

  • 235: Augustus' Women: Imperial Women and their Quest to become the Empress of Rome

    In this episode, we explore the lives of the women who shaped and supported the reign of Emperor Augustus, the first ruler of the Roman Empire. From political alliances forged through marriage to personal sacrifices and public displays of loyalty, these women played vital roles in Augustus' ascent to power. While Livia Drusilla eventually became the first Empress of the Julian Dynasty, the stories of the other women in Augustus’ life are equally compelling.

    Key Quotes:

    1. "Clodia Pulchra’s marriage to Octavian was emblematic of Rome’s practice of using matrimony as a political tool."
    2. "Scribonia, Octavian’s second wife, was chosen for her aristocratic connections and political utility."
    3. "Julia, Augustus’ daughter, lived a life of contradictions—venerated as a symbol of the imperial family yet exiled for rebellion."
    4. "Livia embodied the ideal Roman matron while exercising immense behind-the-scenes political influence."
    5. "Through marriages and alliances, the women in Augustus' life helped to solidify his rule and secure his legacy."


      6. Uncover the intricate roles of Augustus’ women in consolidating power during one of history's most transformative periods. From the politically arranged marriages that strengthened alliances to the lasting influence of Livia, these women's stories reveal the human complexities behind the grandeur of Rome’s first emperor. Join us as we delve into their lives and legacies, unraveling the ways they shaped the foundation of the Roman Empire.

      26 min
    6. 234: Loves and Losses of Heracles, Son of Zeus

      In this episode, we dive into the passionate, often heart-wrenching love life of Heracles, the demigod whose adventures went far beyond his legendary labors. Known for his superhuman strength, Heracles’ story is also woven with deep, complex relationships that reveal the hero’s vulnerabilities. From the loyalty of his male lover Iolaus to the tragic fate of his first wife Megara and the jealousy-driven actions of Hera, each relationship paints a vivid picture of love, loss, and redemption.


      Key Quotes:

      1. “The animosity that Zeus’ wife, Hera, harbored towards Heracles played a significant role in his life.”

      2. “Heracles’ life was also filled with many loves and relationships.”

      3. “What happened with Megara was less than clear as, although Euripides states that Heracles also shot and murdered Megara, Pseudo-Apollodorus claims that Megara managed to flee.”

      4. “Heracles, this most manly of heroes, was about to face further humiliation when he was made to wear women’s clothes and help Omphale and her maidens spin.”

      5. “Happy god! For he has done, His great work and he lives among the gods, Forever young, forever free from pain.”


      Unearth the tumultuous love life of Heracles, the Greek hero whose epic romances and tragic losses shaped myths for centuries. Tune in to explore how love, rivalry, and loss intertwined to define the life of this storied demigod and see how these ancient tales continue to resonate today.



      26 min
    7. 233: Lysippos: Creating the Image of Alexander the Great

      Soon after the study of the inscriptions of the Daochos Monument was published in 1897, an interest in the study of the sculptor Lysippos was renewed. The inscription on a statue base found at Pharsalos was discovered to be identical to a somewhat shorter epigram of Agias at Delphi, and the name Lysippos, presumably the statue’s sculptor, was written at the bottom of the Pharsalos inscription. When the statue of Agias at Delphi was reunited with its base, it became clear that the figure in Delphi was likely a replica of the one in Pharsalos. Like most of Lysippos’ works, the original statue was probably cast in bronze and predate the Delphi statue, although only by a few years. The research also reveals that the statues at Delphi were probably certainly sculpted by more than one artist, indicating a diversity of aesthetic influences at work. But Lysippos’ name was definitely recognizable.


      Key Quotes:

      1. "The Daochos Monument was a massive rectangular foundation with nine statues northeast of Delphi's Temple of Apollo terrace. Under each of the statues, barring one figure on the far right, there was an epigram describing the individual portrayed and listing their achievements."
      2. "Lysippos was known as one of the three best Classical Greek sculptors of the 4th century BC, alongside Scopas of Paros and Praxiteles of Athens, playing a significant role in the artistic revolution of the Hellenistic period."
      3. "Lysippos' statues were known for their thin proportions and their genuine naturalism. He studied nature and Polyclitus' Doryphoros canon of ideal male proportions, which he modified by constructing a smaller head and slimmer torso."
      4. "It was Lysippos who sculpted Alexander the Great from the ruler’s childhood onward, and Alexander would not have any other sculptor portray him."
      5. "According to Plutarch, Lysippos was the only one who succeeded in casting Alexander's distinguishing character and excellence in bronze, describing him as 'looking upwards with his face to the sky, as he used to stare with a slight inclination of the neck.'"

        6. Discover the enduring legacy of Lysippos, the master sculptor who shaped the image of Alexander the Great and redefined art in the Hellenistic period. Dive into the world of classical Greek artistry and explore how Lysippos' innovations in naturalism and form influenced generations of artists. Uncover the secrets behind his statues, from the Daochos Monument to the iconic portrayals of Alexander. Visit MartiniFisher.com to learn more about this fascinating intersection of art and history (and see some images), and see how these timeless works continue to inspire today.

        You will also find more images in the History Made Beautiful Instagram account.

        30 min
      6. 232: Three Daughters of Germanicus

        At the height of the Roman Empire, Germanicus Julius Caesar was unanimously regarded as one of the greatest warriors the Empire had ever produced. With this in mind, it is somewhat unfortunate that Caligula, through his reputation as Rome's mad Emperor, eclipsed his father's popularity. Germanicus' three daughters were just as scandalous as their brother.

        To find out more about Germanicus, you can read about him in these posts:

        • ⁠Germanicus and Agrippina: An Imperial Love Story⁠
          • ⁠A Story of Castor, the Refreshingly Quiet and Surprisingly Competent Politician of Ancient Rome⁠ (Not exactly about Germanicus, but he does feature heavily in it)

            • Key Quotes:

            1. "Germanicus Julius Caesar was unanimously regarded as one of the greatest fighters the Empire had ever produced. He was the Roman version of Alexander the Great, who died at the same age."
            2. "Germanicus' three daughters were just as scandalous as their brother. But can we blame them? Despite their parental privileges, Germanicus' children grew up in an atmosphere of distrust and terror."
            3. "Caligula violated convention by designating the place of honor completely for Drusilla. It's also likely that the rumors of incest involving Drusilla and Caligula were intended to damage Caligula's leadership after his death."
            4. "When Caligula became Emperor, his first step was to restore and, if possible, elevate his family's reputation even further. He bestowed significant honors to his three sisters, as well as notable privileges such as Vestal Virgin rights."
            5. "Seeing them, Agrippina cried, 'Strike here, for this bore Nero!' before succumbing to their blows. Agrippina was cremated that night and buried in an exposed and unenclosed grave without honor."

              6. Step into the scandalous lives of Germanicus' three daughters and their notorious brother, Emperor Caligula. Unveil the secrets of ambition, betrayal, and survival that shaped the Roman Empire's most infamous family. Join us for a deep dive into the rise and fall of Agrippina, Drusilla, and Livilla in our latest podcast episode. Listen now!

              For more historical insights, visit ⁠martinifisher.com⁠ and check out Martini's book "⁠Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture⁠".

              33 min
            6. 231: History of Hair, for Men

              Human hair has always played an important role in culture and in society. For men and women alike, styling one's hair seems to be an innate human desire to emphasize their beauty and power. Thus, apart from being interesting and rather beautiful, hairstyles in history have acted as markers that revealed a person's social status and membership of a tribe or group, social class, age, marital status, political beliefs, and many more.

              1. Key Quotes:
                2. "Styling one's hair seems to be an innate human desire to emphasize their beauty and power."
              2. "A beautiful body was considered direct evidence of a beautiful mind."
              3. "Roman emperors were most often known as the trendsetters of hairstyles."
              4. "In ancient China, hair and hairstyling was important to men and women alike."
              5. "In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) different shaped hairdos developed into a symbol of class status."

                6. Explore the captivating history of hairstyles and uncover how they have signified power, beauty, and social status across ancient civilizations. Join us on our podcast as we delve into the fascinating stories behind iconic hairdos from Ancient Greece, Rome, China, and beyond. Tune in now!

                For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.

                21 min
              6. 230: Whispers of the Muses: The Nine Goddesses of Inspiration

                Once upon a time, Zeus spent nine consecutive nights with Mnemosyne, the Titan goddess of memory, giving birth to the nine Muses: Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania, Calliope, and Clio. These Muses inspired countless poets and artists, including Shakespeare and Milton, who invoked their divine influence in their works. The tradition of calling upon the Muses dates back to Homer’s Iliad, where he likely invoked Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry. The Muses resided on Mount Olympus, delighting the gods with their songs and dances, often accompanied by Apollo’s lyre. Their influence extended beyond art, touching on history, eloquence, and even foreseeing the future.

                Key quotes:

                1. "At the opening of his Henry V, Shakespeare refers to the 'Muse of fire,' and Milton beseeches the 'Heav’nly Muse' to sing at the beginning of his Paradise Lost. By invoking a muse at the opening of their works, Shakespeare and Milton carried on a centuries-old custom."
                2. "In the Iliad, Homer describes the Muses singing in response to each other’s songs while Apollo plays his lyre, entertaining the gods during their feast."
                3. "In his Theogony, Hesiod describes a conversation with the Muses where they bestow upon him their divine voice, enabling him to exalt the gods and their progeny."
                4. "In his Metamorphoses, Antoninus Liberalis recounts the daughters of Pierus challenging the Muses in song, only to be transformed into birds as punishment for their audacity."
                5. "Valerius Flaccus acknowledges Clio’s power in his Argonautica, writing, 'Clio, do you now reveal the reasons behind the heroes' horrific deeds? You, O Muse, have been granted the ability to see into the minds of the gods and understand the processes that lead to reality.'"

                  6. Dive into the fascinating world of the Muses and discover the divine inspiration behind some of the greatest works of art and literature. Tune in now!

                  For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.


                  27 min
                6. 229: Young Livia and the Makings of the Empress of Rome

                  In 29 AD, Livia, the Empress of Rome and the widow of Emperor Augustus, died at the age of eighty-six. Although she was the mother of Tiberius, the current emperor of Rome, and an empress through her own marriage to Augustus, her funeral was very low-key by the standards of the Roman imperial family.

                  But Livia’s cult had grown throughout the empire even during her lifetime, and upon her death, Livia would have been the first woman in Rome's history to be pronounced a goddess.

                  Key quotes:

                  • "When Augustus’ sister Octavia died in 11 BC, her funeral oration was delivered by Augustus himself in his capacity as both Octavia’s brother and Emperor of Rome."

                  • "By contrast, the only person who spoke at Livia’s funeral was her great-grandson Caligula before Livia was buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus with minimal ceremony."

                  • "The senate also voted for an arch to honor Livia in remembrance of her deeds of charity and goodwill. However, the plan never came to fruition as, although Tiberius did not immediately resist this plan, he instead promised rather heroically to build the arch with his own money instead of using the public funds."

                  • "Among his first actions were the divine honors bestowed to Livia on the anniversary of her marriage to Augustus as well as what would have been her one-hundredth birthday."

                  • "Livia was still held in high regard during Nero’s reign, and she was still highly regarded after the Julio-Claudian dynasty ended in 68 AD."

                    • Dive into the world of Rome's first Empress and discover the makings of a legend. Tune in now!

                    For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.


                    32 min
                  • 228: Love and Marriage of Berenice, the Youthful Queen of Cyrene

                    Shortly after his marriage, the King of Egypt Ptolemy III, received word of imminent danger to his sister. In return for his safety as his marched to Syria to save his sister’s life, his loving wife promised to sacrifice a lock of her hair in return for his safety. Upon his return from the campaign, a lock of hair from the Queen’s head was cut and dedicated to the gods, only to disappear by the following day. Later, the court astronomer Conon then announced that he had discovered the lock in the night. To this day, the constellation is called Coma Berenices ("Berenice's Lock").

                    Key quotes:

                    1. “Berenice was already hailed as Basilissa (queen) on coins even in her father’s lifetime and, upon her marriage, she would be known as Berenice II Euergetis (‘Berenice the Benefactress’).”
                    2. “Allegedly, Demetrius and Apama soon became lovers. According to legends, Berenice killed Demetrius after seeing him in bed with her mother.”
                    3. “Controlling the narrative of the retelling of Demetrius’ murder would have been one of the earliest challenges that the newlyweds faced.”
                    4. “Ptolemy III needed to introduce a new mythological basis for the new chapter brought about by his own marriage to Berenice, strengthening his dynastic continuity.”
                    5. “In the poem Berenice’s Lock, Callimachus provided further details of the event, that Zephyrus carried off the lock at the command of Aphrodite who then placed it among the stars.”

                      6. Join us as we unravel the romance, drama and politic of Berenice II, the girl who became Queen.


                      For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.


                      27 min
                    6. 227: Veleda and the Ancient Germanic Seers

                      In this episode, we delve into the captivating tale of the Revolt of the Batavi, an uprising that shook the foundations of the mighty Roman Empire during the years 69 to 70 AD. The Batavi, a small yet formidable Germanic population residing in Batavia along the Rhine delta, spearheaded this rebellion. As their ranks swelled with other Germanic and Celtic tribes from Gallia Belgica, they embarked on a daring mission to challenge the Roman dominion.


                      Key Quotes:

                      1. “The Revolt of the Batavi, which occurred between 69 and 70 AD, was an uprising against the Roman Empire led by the Batavi, a small but powerful Germanic population of Batavia on the Rhine delta.”
                      2. “The Batavi and their allies were able to humiliate the Roman army with a series of crushing defeats, including the annihilation of two Roman legions.”
                      3. “The Batavi people’s leader was the Romanized Gaius Julius Civilis, whose skills were honed in the Roman army as an auxiliary officer familiar with the characteristics of Roman warfare.”
                      4. “However, instead of supporting the Roman Empire, which had granted him citizenship, Gaius Julius Civilis decided to use his knowledge to help the Batavi.”
                      5. “It was a low point in Roman history. But things took a turn in 77 AD where, following some initial victories, a massive Roman army eventually defeated the insurgents.”
                      6. “Following peace talks, the Batavi surrendered once again to Roman rule. However, this time they were forced to accept humiliating terms and endure a legion being stationed permanently on their territory, at Noviomagus (modern-day Nijmegen, The Netherlands).”
                      7. “The rebellion may not have ended in favor of the Batavi in the end, but the rebels’ early successes were undeniable. The Batavi’s early victories over the Roman legions were also foretold. They were predicted by Veleda, a seer.”

                        8. Join us as we unravel the remarkable saga of the Batavi rebellion—a saga that reverberated through history, pitting a determined people against the might of Rome.

                        For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.

                        20 min
                      8. 226: Ancient History of Dream Interpretation

                        In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of dreams and their interpretations in ancient civilizations. We explore how dreams played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.

                        Key Quotes:

                        • “The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, presents dreams as a powerful tool for foretelling and guiding the future.”
                        • “Dreams were not just personal experiences but played a crucial role in government, religion, and daily life in early civilizations.”
                        • “The dream of Gudea, king of the Sumerian city-state of Lagash, led to the construction of a temple for the god Ningirsu.”
                        • “The Assyrian kings Ashurnasirpal II and Ashurbanipal sought guidance and victory in dreams.”
                        • “Dreams were incubated within the confines of Asclepieions, temples dedicated to healing, in ancient Greece.”
                        • “Dream interpreters, often tribal elders, matriarchs, patriarchs, priests, and shamans, held a special place in these societies. They could enter the world of dreams at will, encounter souls, fight, recover lost souls, heal, and bring the meaning of the dream forth to the life of the dreamers.”

                          • Join us as we explore how dreams were regarded as an important way of receiving messages from the world of power and spirit, from the gods and other powerful beings, and how they continue to fascinate us to this day.

                          For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”.

                          25 min

                        About Domina Tempora

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                        Domina Tempora examines the myths, symbols, and forgotten histories that shaped the ancient world. Hosted by Marianne Fisher, each episode explores how stories of gods, women, monsters, and power were…

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