Lambda: the LGBT in Antiquity Podcast

Zeus the Pansexual

This week we are focusing on the abstraction known as Zeus whose sexual desires could best be described as pansexual. Zeus is the King of the Universe, and with that power comes a great amount of sexual experimentation with body and form. We'll explore the episode of Zeus' courtship of Io a river spring turned into a heifer, the story of Europa a Phoenician Princess, the tragedy of Semele a Theban girl chosen for the highest honour in the cosmos, the courtship of Mnemosyne the abstract concept of Memory, and Ganymede, Zeus' eternal boyfriend.  Taken together these stories show how important Zeus' sexual experimentation was during his life. Far from being random flings, each story reflects a deep loving romance.

Athena the Nonbinary Part 2

This week we are going to continue our discussion of Athena as a nonbinary manifestation. Whether pursuing masculine-coded activities like conflict and competition or feminine-coded activities like weaving and homemaking, Athena strove for excellence.  Athena used this trademark blend of masculinity and femininity to aid Orestes after he usurped the King of Mycenae and to aid Jason and Medea on the quest of the Golden Fleece.  Following one’s own desires, duty to protect one’s family, striving for excellence in whatever one does, ignoring gender binaries to seek a fulfilled life, and bring others up while you are doing it.  Athena’s nonbinary attributes allow them to be the kind of non-binary mentor and role-model we all need sometimes.  Happy Pride Everyone!

Athena the Nonbinary

This week we are going to interpret Athena as a nonbinary manifestation. Whether pursuing masculine-coded activities like conflict and competition or feminine-coded activities like weaving and homemaking, Athena strove for excellence.  Athena-Mentor is kind and compassionate, encouraging everyone to strive to be their best, and to pursue the most excellent things they are capable.  Athena’s nonbinary attributes allow them to be the kind of non-binary mentor we all need sometimes.  Happy Pride Everyone!

Kybele the Intersex

This week's episode covers the story of the Agdistis. They were created through an immaculate conception with an intersex condition resulting in the manifestation of male and female sexual characteristics. The other Gods were so terrified by Agdistis, that they violently exposed and publicly castrated them.  This episode explores the Intersex condition in Antiquity. Whether human or divine, intersex conditions reflected a fundamental challenge to the established social order. Everything social role from the business deal called marriage to the citizen roles were challenged by the mere existence of Intersex conditions.  The story of the Agdistis is a divine archetype for how humans publicly exposed and addressed such conditions.

Dionysos the Queer

This week we are discussing Dionysos as a manifestation of all things Queer.  They are constantly shown moving between gendered expressions, never really settling on any one for long. This creates a being able to manifest the raw creative power of the primordial cosmos into the most powerful Olympian deity.  Dionysos is also shown in long lasting relationships with men and women in different stories. But where many Gods viewed their human loves as conquests, Dionysos shows far more respect and long-lasting affection than most.  In all, neither Dionysos' gender nor sexuality conform to societal expectations. Dionysos is an archetypal Queer!