Domina Tempora

Domina Tempora

By Marianne FisherHistory
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Domina Tempora episodes

  • 225: Philip and the Sacred Band of Thebes

    In this episode, we journey back to ancient Greece to explore the Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite force of 150 pairs of male lovers. We discuss their crucial role in ending Spartan domination and the deep bonds they formed in battle. We also touch on the paradox of civilization, where periods of great achievement often coincide with war and turmoil.

    Key Quotes:

    1. “The Pals battalions were far from being a new idea. Thousands of years prior, in the 4th century BC, King Philip II of Macedon erected a tribute at Chaeronea to commemorate the bravery of a battalion he conquered whose soldiers had ties to each other that were more intense and passionate.”
    2. “This memorial commemorates the Sacred Band of Thebes, marking the communal grave in which they were buried.”
    3. “The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite force of the Theban army consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers, and they played a crucial role in ending Spartan domination.”
    4. “One of civilization’s great paradoxes is that periods of great intellectual and political achievement are often accompanied by war and turmoil.”
    5. “The fourth century BC saw a period of political and military upheaval in ancient Greece, marked by the rise of powerful city-states and the growing influence of Macedon, led by Philip II (382 – 336 BC).”

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


      27 min
    6. 224: Cicero: Politician, Family Man

      In this episode, we journey back to ancient Rome to explore the life and legacy of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the greatest Roman orator. We delve into his prolific writings, which span rhetoric, philosophy, and politics, and the surviving collections of his personal correspondence.

      We take a closer look at his relationships with various public figures, his friend Titus Pomponius Atticus, and most intimately, his younger brother Quintus. Through these letters, we gain a candid view into Cicero’s character, his intellectual prowess, and his day-to-day moods. Join us as we unravel the complexities of brotherly bonds, political frustrations, and the enduring power of the written word in ancient Rome.

      Key Quotes:

      1. “In modern times, Marcus Tullius Cicero is remembered as the greatest Roman orator.”
      2. “Many of his letters did not survive, and many others were, perhaps understandably, suppressed for political reasons after his death.”
      3. “With Quintus, his younger brother by four years, the famous Marcus Tullius Cicero speaks as he would to a brother, friend, confidant and colleague.”
      4. “Marcus’ response to his brother’s nagging is that although he feels capable to write, he lacks the time and inclination.”
      5. “Marcus and Quintus Tullius Cicero were the sons of a wealthy family in Arpinium.”

        6. As promised in this episode, here are some links that you might find interesting:

        1. Anna Perenna and the Ides of March
        2. How to Win an Election: Lessons from an Ancient Roman Rebel

          3. For more fascinating insights into history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the past and discover the rich tapestry of events and individuals that have shaped our world. Happy listening!

          30 min
        3. 223: Whispers of Witchcraft: Antonina and the Byzantine General's Destiny

          In this episode, we delve into the intriguing life of Flavius Belisarius, a general of the Byzantine Empire, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Antonina. We explore how Belisarius, a man of great military prowess, was brought down by his Achilles’ heel - his deep love for Antonina.

          Despite her infidelities and their troubled marriage, Belisarius remained stubbornly loyal to Antonina, a fact that historians like Procopius and Edward Gibbon have noted in their writings. We also shed light on Antonina’s background, her rise from poverty, and her alleged use of magic to win Belisarius’ heart. Join us as we unravel the complex dynamics of power, love, and betrayal in the 6th century Byzantine Empire.


          Key Quotes:

          1. “Flavius Belisarius personified the perfect example of what a general of a powerful empire ought to have been.”
          2. “His Achilles’ heel was none other than his wife, Antonina.”
          3. “The unconquerable patience and loyalty of Belisarius appear either below or above the character of a man.” - Edward Gibbon
          4. “Antonina herself from the first led an utterly wanton life. Acquainted with magic drugs used by her parents before her, she learned how to use those of compelling qualities and became the wedded wife of Belisarius, after having already borne many children.” - Procopius
          5. “In Antonina, Belisarius seemed to have met his intellectual equal.”


            6. As promised in this episode, here are some links that you might find interesting:

            1. Ancient Roman Actresses and the Dark Side of Beauty
            2. Tale of Two Concubines


              3. For more fascinating insights into history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, "Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the past and discover the rich tapestry of events and individuals that have shaped our world. Happy listening!

              21 min
            3. 222: Navigating Ancient Political Waters: From Riverbanks to Roman Streets

              In this episode, we delve into the rise and fall of unusual ancient Roman politicians. We explore how the early distribution of political power was influenced by factors such as fresh water, fertile soil, and a temperate climate, which were crucial for the development of organized societies. We discuss the evolution of Rome from a minor power to an imperial behemoth, and how this complicated the concept of politics. We also examine the formation of the Tribune of the Plebeians in 493 BC, which gave commoners a presence in the government, and the subsequent weakening of the senate after the formation of the Roman Empire in 27 BC.

              Key Quotes:

              1. “In the ancient world, the early distribution of political power was dictated by the availability of fresh water, fertile soil and a temperate climate.”
              2. “Rome’s evolution from a minor power into an imperial behemoth complicated the concept of politics even further.”
              3. “The ancient Roman senate was established in the first days of the city of Rome which was traditionally founded in 753 BC.”
              4. “All this changed in the formation of the Tribune of the Plebeians in 493 BC.”
              5. “The senate was greatly weakened after the formation of the Roman Empire in 27 BC as it buckled under successions of powerful emperors who often violently coerced this governing body.”

                6. For more fascinating insights into ancient history, check out Martini Fisher’s website and her book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”. Dive into the captivating world of the past and uncover the secrets of the ancient civilizations.

                28 min
              6. 221: Ganesha, Legendary Remover of Obstacles

                In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of Ganesha, one of the most distinctive Hindu deities. We explore his role as the remover of obstacles and the patron of travelers, students, commerce, and new endeavors. We journey back to the Gupta Period (c. 320-600 CE), when Ganesha emerged as a distinct deity in a recognizable form. We trace his evolution as he became one of the most prevalent Hindu deities in foreign lands, particularly during the 10th century CE.

                Key Quotes:

                • “Ganesha as we know him today does not appear in the Vedas, at least not explicitly.”
                • “A prototype of Ganesha was worshiped in prehistoric times outside the Indian subcontinent in places such as Afghanistan, Iran, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Cambodia, Japan and Mexico.”
                • “Among Buddhists in Thailand, Ganesha maintained his function as a remover of obstacles and is therefore considered a god of success.”

                  • For more fascinating insights into history and mythology, visit Martini Fisher’s website. Check out her latest book, “Time Maps: Mesopotamia”, available now on Amazon. Let’s continue to make history beautiful together.

                  24 min
                • 220: The Death of Drusus, Beloved Brother

                  When word of his younger brother’s life-threatening illness reached him, Roman General Tiberius (later Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus) who was in Pavia at the time, crossed the Alps like a man possessed. Without stopping day or night, he covered 200 Roman miles in a dangerous country. Tiberius' frantic dash across the Rhine from northwestern Italy to Germany to his brother's bedside evolved into a legend.

                  Read this story in the blog.


                  Read more about:

                  1. Germanicus
                  2. Castor (Son of Tiberius)
                  3. Augustus
                  4. Castor and Pollux (the divine twins)
                  5. Legends of the Zodiacs


                    6. 30 min
                  6. 219: Carpe Diem

                    The works of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, or Horace, span an extraordinarily wide range, making him one of the central authors in Latin literature. Horace seemed to be just as comfortable writing about love and wine as he was about philosophy and literary criticism. However, the phrase that both best encapsulates Horace’s moral stance and saves him from oblivion, is the phrase ‘carpe diem’ (Odes 1.11.8), which endures well to the modern ages as a slogan on T-shirts and the name of a trendy line of leather goods.  

                    Read on the blog.


                    Read more about Octavian and Mark Antony.

                    19 min
                  7. 218: The Romance of Achilles and Penthesilea

                    Penthesilea was breathtaking. “Aphrodite, the noble bride of the potent War- god, made her beautiful indeed in death, so that the son of Peleus (Achilles), could be pierced by the arrow of chastising love," writes the 4th century AD Greek poet Quintus Smyrnaeus in his poem Posthomerica ("Things After Homer"). In addition to her beauty, Penthesilea was also born into a family of queens. She was the daughter of Ares, the god of war, and Otrera, Queen of the legendary Amazons. Apart from Penthesilea, Ares and Otrera had three other daughters: Hippolyta, Antiope, and Melanippe. Hippolyta went on to become one of the most famous of the Amazon queens, while her other sisters Antiope and Melanippe ruled alongside her over their country's three major cities.


                    Read on the blog.

                    Read more:

                    1. Aphrodite
                    2. Battle of the Tragic Heroes: Legends of India’s Karna, Greek’s Achilles and Ireland’s Ferdiad
                    3. Ares and Athena
                    4. An Unhappy Divine Marriage
                      5. 29 min
                    5. 217: The Old Man and the Sea: the Mythology

                      Elusive and difficult to pinpoint, the ‘Old Man of the Sea’ may take on many names in mythology. He embodies the virtues of truth and justice, until he was usurped by a sinister character who made a nuisance of himself by latching on to men, like an irritating conscience, which one could only be rid of by inebriation.

                      Read on the blog.

                      Read more:

                      1. Women and the Sacred Invention of Beer
                      2. Ancient History of the Forbidden Fruit
                      3. Battle of the Tragic Heroes: Legends of India’s Karna, Greek’s Achilles and Ireland’s Ferdiad
                      4. Sacrifice the Virgin, Save the People


                        5. 22 min
                      5. 216: The Ancient Charms of Music

                        Music has been an integral part of the world’s culture since prehistorical times and discoveries of ancient musical instruments are still being made to this day. Excavations at the early Neolithic site of Jiahu in Henan Province, China, (7000 - 5700 BC), have produced what may be the earliest complete and playable multinote musical instruments. A sarcophagus representing the oldest illustration of the seven-string lyre and double flute accompanying a ritual from the Minoan Period (3000 - 1400 BC) was also discovered in Crete.

                        Read here for:

                        1. Courtesans and Music in Ancient China
                        2. Hades and Persephone
                        3. Apsara and Gandharva
                        4. Mahabharata: The Pandava Brothers
                          5. 21 min

                        About Domina Tempora

                        From the publisher's feed

                        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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