Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Author Jane Dougherty discusses her powerful new novel Pasiphae, a bold reimagining of one of Greek mythology’s most misunderstood queens.
Drawing on her lifelong love of mythology—shaped in part by her Irish heritage and academic background in early European medieval history and literature—Jane explores the story of Pasiphaë (Pacifi). Rather than accepting the traditional version of the myth, she examines how Pasiphaë’s story may have been distorted by later Greek writers who projected their own patriarchal values onto a much older civilization.
The conversation revisits the classic tale: Pasiphaes marriage to Minos, the curse of Poseidon, and the birth of the Minotaur (Asterion). We explore the Labyrinth built by Daedalus and the arrival of Theseus, who ultimately slays the Minotaur. But Jane challenges this familiar narrative, asking: What if this story was rewritten history? What if Pasiphae represented a culture that was later mischaracterized?
A central theme of the discussion is the contrast between Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. Jane explores the idea of an older, more egalitarian, trade-based society—possibly matrilineal—being overshadowed by a later warlike, patriarchal culture. Through Pasiphae, she examines how myths can function as tools of social control, reshaping powerful women into cautionary figures.
— BUY HER BOOK HERE —
Pasiphae: an incredible feminist retelling of a woman wronged by myth
by Jane Dougherty
worldhistory.org/books/1917163290
— SUPPORT US VIA OUR PATREON—
patreon.com/join/whencyclopedia
— BUY OUR MERCH —
https://www.worldhistory.store/
— ATTRIBUTIONS —
You can find all attribution and credits for images, animations, graphics and music here -
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
ancientlyre.com
open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A
World History Encyclopedia
worldhistory.org
#greekmythology #greekgods #minotaur #mythology #whe
Author Jane Dougherty discusses her powerful new novel Pasiphae, a bold reimagining of one of Greek mythology’s most misunderstood queens.
Drawing on her lifelong love of mythology—shaped in part by her Irish heritage and academic background in early European medieval history and literature—Jane explores the story of Pasiphaë (Pacifi). Rather than accepting the traditional version of the myth, she examines how Pasiphaë’s story may have been distorted by later Greek writers who projected their own patriarchal values onto a much older civilization.
The conversation revisits the classic tale: Pasiphaes marriage to Minos, the curse of Poseidon, and the birth of the Minotaur (Asterion). We explore the Labyrinth built by Daedalus and the arrival of Theseus, who ultimately slays the Minotaur. But Jane challenges this familiar narrative, asking: What if this story was rewritten history? What if Pasiphae represented a culture that was later mischaracterized?
A central theme of the discussion is the contrast between Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. Jane explores the idea of an older, more egalitarian, trade-based society—possibly matrilineal—being overshadowed by a later warlike, patriarchal culture. Through Pasiphae, she examines how myths can function as tools of social control, reshaping powerful women into cautionary figures.
— BUY HER BOOK HERE —
Pasiphae: an incredible feminist retelling of a woman wronged by myth
by Jane Dougherty
worldhistory.org/books/1917163290
— SUPPORT US VIA OUR PATREON—
patreon.com/join/whencyclopedia
— BUY OUR MERCH —
https://www.worldhistory.store/
— ATTRIBUTIONS —
You can find all attribution and credits for images, animations, graphics and music here -
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
ancientlyre.com
open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A
World History Encyclopedia
worldhistory.org
#greekmythology #greekgods #minotaur #mythology #whe
