Domina Tempora

Marianne Fisher

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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 created, interpreted, and transformed. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and sharply researched—this is history told with clarity, elegance, and a touch of danger.

13 HRS AGO

5: Hera: Patron Saint of ‘It’s Not Me, It’s Your Side Chick’

In this episode of Domina Tempora, we descend into the shadowed throne room of Olympus to examine Hera — not as the bitter scold of popular retellings, but as the fierce guardian of marriage, sovereignty, and divine order. From her ancient roots as a powerful pre-Hellenic goddess to her relentless pursuit of those who threaten the sacred bonds she protects, Hera reveals herself as a force of unyielding authority in a pantheon ruled by infidelity and chaos. We explore her sacred symbols, her vengeful brilliance, and the ways her wrath has been weaponised — and misunderstood — across millennia. Because when the king of the gods strays, it’s never just a fling… it’s a challenge to the very fabric of cosmic hierarchy. If the dangerous dance of desire, power, and forbidden love stirs something in you, my debut novel Clotho Unbound is waiting. In its pages, Clotho — the Fate who has spun death for Zeus for eons — meets Aphrodite in stolen, blasphemous nights that make the Loom itself tremble. Their love is treason. Their passion could unravel fate itself. Clotho Unbound is out now — order your copy today on Amazon (Kindle, paperback, and audiobook coming soon). Tap the link. Thank you for listening.Until next time — may your threads hold strong.

16 min
7 APR

4: Aphrodite After Dark: Desire, Power, and Dangerous Love

The Greek goddess of love has always been far more than just beauty and desire. In this episode we explore Aphrodite beyond the familiar image of the sea-born beauty celebrated in classical art. From her widespread cult worshipped by prostitutes and magistrates, virgins and soldiers, to her roles as patroness of marketplaces, police officials, and military harmony, Aphrodite emerges as a powerful force of social order and civic unity. We examine her armed statues in Sparta and other cities, her connection with Ares, and her deeper ancient roots as Aphrodite Urania — daughter of Uranus, queen of heaven, and generative power of creation itself. Linked to harmony, fate, the sea, and the very forces of life, she reveals herself as a goddess who binds and rules far beyond romantic love. If the many faces of Aphrodite and the intersection of desire, power, and destiny intrigue you, my debut novel Clotho Unbound dives deep into that world. In a lightless chamber where centuries are peeled away, Clotho — the Fate who has spun death for Zeus for eons — meets Aphrodite. Their stolen nights are blasphemy. Their love is treason. And every touch makes the Loom tremble. Clotho Unbound releases on April 10, 2026. Pre-orders are now live on Kindle. If you love sensual romance steeped in Greek mythology, forbidden passion, and cosmic stakes, I’d be so grateful if you pre-ordered a copy. Every pre-order truly helps.

15 min
4 FEB

3: Apples, Sex, and the Law of Creation

Apples are never just fruit. They are thresholds—between worlds, between innocence and knowledge, between mortal limitation and divine punishment. Across mythologies, the apple appears wherever paradise curdles into danger, wherever knowledge exacts a price, and wherever desire proves… educational. Long before it was pinned on Eve, the apple was already busy ruining lives. In this episode: • Why “the apple” wasn’t originally the forbidden fruit—and how a Latin misunderstanding rewrote theology• The Golden Apples of the Hesperides: immortality dangled, then coldly reclaimed• Heracles and the futility of human attempts at divine permanence• Eris and the apple that detonated the Trojan War ✨ Explore more at dominatempora.com Knowledge is never neutral.Some fruits are warnings.

14 min
09/12/2025

2: The Women Who Held Rome by the Throat (Politely, of Course)

The Sibyls were never passive cave-dwellers murmuring riddles into the dark. They were political weapons, divine mouthpieces, and dangerous women whose prophecies shaped empires. Long before Hollywood mystics and Renaissance murals softened them, the Sibyls walked into palaces, burned books in kings’ faces, defied gods, survived curses—and redirected the futures of entire civilizations. In this second voyage of the Domina Tempora Podcast, we follow the Sibyls across Greece, Rome, Libya, and the underworld itself. These women did not merely foretell history—they authored it, one prophecy at a time. 🎧 In this episode:• The old woman who burned six prophetic books to teach a king fear• Apollo’s “gifts” to Cassandra, Marpessa & Deiphobe—and the violence behind them• The Sibyl in a jar: Ovid’s bleak portrait of immortality as imprisonment• How Sibylline Books steered Rome through crisis, prophecy, and politics• Why every era rewrote the Sibyls to fit its fantasies, fears, and power structures 💋 If this episode unsettles—in the best way—good. Let it. ✨ Explore the website: ⁠https://martinifisher.com/⁠🖋 Become a member and receive the Monthly Members-Only Essay—myth retold with elegance, danger, and intellect. 📚 Visit the ⁠shop⁠ for Domina Dossiers—bite-sized, collectible essays on myth & history. 🎧 Subscribe to the ⁠YouTube channel ⁠for whispered ASMR readings of Ovid and Poe. 🏛 Enrol in Greek Mythology 101: A Cultural Guide to the Gods and Myths on ⁠Udemy ⁠— a seductive, intelligent initiation into mythology as culture, identity, and power. 🕯 The Sibyls didn’t ask for authority.They spoke, and the world rearranged itself.

15 min
11/11/2025

1: Sirens were Never "Sexy" (It was a Smear Campaign!)

The Sirens were never “sexy.” That was a re-brand—a smear campaign against women whose voices held power. Long before Disney’s mermaids, they were winged, wise, and catastrophic: guardians of knowledge, not temptresses of flesh. In this first voyage of the all new Domina Tempora Podcast, we uncover how language, religion, and fear transformed the Siren from philosopher-musician to femme fatale—and what that says about how history punishes female intellect. 🎧 In this episode:• The Odyssey’s original Sirens—what Homer really wrote• Ovid, Hyginus & Pliny on the bird-women of wisdom• How a translation changed everything• How medieval monks weaponised beauty 💋 If this episode stirred something in you—feed it. ✨ Explore the website: https://martinifisher.com/🖋 Become a member and receive the Monthly Members-Only Essay—myth retold with elegance, danger, and intellect.📚 Visit the shop for Domina Dossiers—bite-sized, collectible essays on myth & history.🎧 Subscribe to the YouTube channel for whispered ASMR readings of Ovid and Poe.🏛 Enrol in Greek Mythology 101: A Cultural Guide to the Gods and Myths on Udemy — a seductive, intelligent initiation into mythology as culture, identity, and power. 🕯 Because the original Siren didn’t seduce with her body — she seduced with her mind.Her song wasn’t temptation; it was truth.And the truth, as always, is the most dangerous sound of all.

14 min
12/02/2025

237: The Trouble with Witches: Witches and the Boundaries of Power

For centuries, witches have occupied a space between fear and fascination, their presence signaling both power and peril. From the three haggard figures inMacbeth to the Fates of Greek mythology, women who wield influence beyond the expected have been cast as threats to order. But why? In this episode, we examine the historical and cultural forces that turned witches into symbols of chaos, control, and rebellion. Were they truly dangerous, or did they simply exist outside the boundaries of what society deemed acceptable? Join us as we explore the tangled legacy of witches, prophecy, and the fear of women who refuse to obey.

18 min
07/01/2025

236: Sex and the Empire: Euphemia, Theodora and the Scandalous Literary Tradition of Ancient Rome

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary lives of Euphemia and Theodora, two women who rose from obscurity to become empresses of the Byzantine Empire. Their stories—filled with ambition, resilience, and reform—challenge traditional narratives of power and privilege in late antiquity. From the sensational accounts of Procopius to the lasting legacies of their reforms, we’ll uncover how their lives were shaped by, and in turn, shaped the cultural and political landscape of their time. Key Quotes: "Euphemia, born a slave and once known as Lupicina, transformed her identity to embody the piety expected of an empress." "Theodora’s reforms addressed marriage, dowry rights, and protections for women sold into slavery—legislation that echoed her own experiences." "Procopius described Theodora as 'Theodora from the Brothel,' highlighting not just his disdain for her origins, but his fear of women who wielded power." "The name Lupicina, linked to the Latin word for 'she-wolves,' connected Euphemia to both sacred Etruscan traditions and the lowest class of Roman society." "In Justinian and Theodora’s marriage, Procopius saw not just a union of two people but a symbol of societal upheaval that blurred class distinctions." Through the lens of Euphemia and Theodora’s lives, we’ll explore the tension between personal ambition and societal expectations, the power of identity and narrative, and the ways in which women shaped the empire from behind the scenes. Join me as we unravel the truths and myths surrounding these two remarkable empresses.

21 min
12/12/2024

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

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 created, interpreted, and transformed. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and sharply researched—this is history told with clarity, elegance, and a touch of danger.

Creator

Marianne Fisher
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

83
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Marianne Fisher
Show Website

Domina Tempora