Tiresias, the blind prophet of Apollo, was well-known as much for his clairvoyanve as for being transformed into a woman for seven years. He participated fully for seven generations in Thebes - beginning as advisor to Cadmus, the founder and first king of Thebes, all the way to the tragic unfolding of events surrounding the divine hero Laius and his son Oedipus. Tiresias died soon after the expedition of the Seven Against Thebes in which Polynices, son of Oedipus, and six allies attacked Thebes because his brother, Eteocles, refused to give up the throne. Pliny the Elder even credits Tiresias with the invention of augury.

Virgil, in his Aeneid, describes Deiphobe, better known as the Sibyl of Cumae, as coming from “a hundred perforations in the rock, a hundred mouths from which the many utterances rush” (43-5, 163). He further describes “her terrifying riddles” (98-99,164) conjuring the enduring image of a Sibyl as a mysterious prophetess sitting in a temple or a cave, uttering predictions in ecstatic frenzy. Nevertheless, the prophecies of the Sibyls were widely trusted – so trusted that many of their prophecies played key roles in determining the direction of important events.

Domina Dossier 1: Women Who Ruled, Healed, and Raised Hell They weren't born dangerous. They became dangerous. Forget everything you’ve been told about obedient wives. This is the history of women who seized power, defied convention, and left their mark on the ancient world. Domina Dossier 1 is a curated collection of six historical profiles. You'll meet the queen who murdered for power, the physicians who healed in a man's world, and the empresses whose legacies were twisted by scandal. This is not a history of virtue. It's a raw, unflinching look at women who refused to ask for permission.

For centuries, Vietnam’s coastal salt fields have been a vital source of livelihood and commerce, producing the high-quality sea salt that…

Domina Dossier No. 1: Women Who Ruled, Healed, and Raised HellA Private Collection by Martini FisherThis is not a history book. This is a dossier—an intimate collection of six essays exploring the rea...

There are women whose names endure not because of what they gave, but because of what they withheld. Lais of Corinth was one of them. Known across the ancient world as one of the most beautiful and…

There are women whose names endure not because of what they gave, but because of what they withheld. Lais of Corinth was one of them. Known across the ancient world as one of the most beautiful and elusive women to have ever lived, she became a myth in her own time—a woman who did not merely seduce, but controlled, redirected, and punished desire. She did not perform softness for the sake of male comfort. She offered access as a privilege, and she priced it accordingly.

The Philippines has long been the world’s leading producer of abaca, also known as Manila hemp, a natural fiber renowned for its strength…

The myths of ancient Greece often revolve around the sacrifice of women: Iphigenia at Aulis, Macaria at Athens, Alcestis in Thessaly. While these stories are widely told as personal tragedies, they…

The Maluku Islands, often called the Spice Islands, were the world’s only source of nutmeg, mace, and cloves for centuries, making them a…

For centuries, silk has been one of Vietnam’s most treasured exports, celebrated for its beauty, durability, and cultural significance. At…

The Islamic Golden Age (8th–13th centuries) was a period of remarkable advancements in science, culture, and trade. While much of the…

She began in Perge. A noblewoman. Educated. Married. A mother. From the outside, Matrona’s life was set—defined by duty and domesticity. But something in her resisted containment. She had no patien…

For centuries, tea has been one of China’s most iconic exports, shaping global trade and culture. While much of the historical focus on the…

In the rich tapestry of Southeast Asia’s history, women have played a remarkably prominent role in commerce. Unlike many parts of the world…

The Dutch East India Company, known as the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), was one of history’s first multinational corporations…