Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men

Meet the goddesses, warriors, witches, and monsters who shaped and subverted womanhood from the very beginning.

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’s Ancient Myths & Legends Without Men offers an intriguing collage of women’s roles in myth that bridges past and present, to uncover not only what women are doing in myth, but why they still matter today. In so doing, the volume offers a relevant, readable, and beautifully-presented overview of many women of ancient myth, opening the lid on women’s tales and showing the diverse ways in which their stories can and should be re-interpreted.” 
  Dr. Emily Hauser, author of Mythica