If you enjoy reading mythic retellings, or love books like Natalie Haynes' Divine Might, then Mythica is a must-read. It's filled with tantilising glimpses into the ancient past, uncovering untold stories from burial grounds to shipwrecks, and bringing history to life through ancient literature.

Each chapter focuses on a different female character from epic, used as a spring board into a wide variety of themes and topics.

Mythica is an exciting and enjoyable insight into the lives of ancient women, and the mark they have made in epic and beyond.

This was a really interesting exploration about what archeological and other very clever scientific interventions have told us about the real ancient world that inspired the Odyssey.

Emily Hauser cleverly blends new discoveries and reinterpretation of evidence to bring the classical world to live.

I started reading this via kindle and switched to Audible which is narrated by the author and is very good.

A very insightful and thought provoking read.

If one reads the Iliad or the Odyssey then one comes to realise that the only voices heard are those of the men. The women of the Bronze Age are mainly hidden. In this book Hauser takes the characters of a number of named women in Homeric writing and uses them as a starting point to explore the lives of women, and indeed society, at this time. It is a book with huge scope and it delves into history and science so interchangeably that it is impossible to distinguish. I found it completely fascinating and Hauser's writing is passionate and knowledgeable.

On the whole, Mythica was a fascinating dive into what may be the truth behind the myths of The Iliad and The Odyssey as it applies, mainly, to the women mentioned in those epic poems. Though there's a great deal on the men and gods/goddesses, as well. Possible locations, lifestyles, ways of life of these ancient people based on archaeological and scientific finds in and around what is thought to be Troy, the Greek islands and well beyond. The research and discoveries made is quite simply mind-blowing. All the fact-based information in this book paints a vivid picture of this bygone time and its people. Utterly extraordinary that we could know so much and well done knitting it all together in this text.

I marvel at the ancient world and the vast array of stories we have from that time. But I should steer clear of anything hinting at 'feminist' as it gets under my skin. Were women forced into slavery after being conquered? Did they work hard? Were they abused, raped and even murdered? Yes, it was the ancient world and society functioned differently from today. Maybe we should count ourselves lucky that women were mentioned as much as they were given these epic poems were crafted by a man, about fighting men and the quest of one man to return to his wife and son? Maybe the women of that time were content in the societal confines of their community and the well defined rules required to belong? Viewing history through the skewed lens of today and lecturing about fast fashion and trans issues from our lofty perch of the 21st century doesn't serve anyone. It may even create faults in our understanding of the past which so many have worked so hard to acquire. Thoughts for another day, perhaps. Regardless, this is a fascinating read clarifying the mystery of the ancient Greek/Trojan world and so much more. I highly recommend it.

Mythica by Emily Hauser is a well-researched reexamination of Homer’s mythological women from the late Bronze Age who have long stood under the shadows of Greek heroes, viewed through a feminist lens (or perhaps, more accurately, a non-misogynistic perspective). Through the blending of scientific research, literary references, archaeological findings, and anthropology, Hauser's inquisitive work suggests new connections and hypotheses about the “support” women of Greek mythology, returning their voices, lives, and history, and gifting the reader with astounding recent findings—as recent as 2023. In this intriguing book, she evokes Hittite and Greek queens, warriors, mothers, slaves, and goddesses whose stories were warped and fitted into male-centric narratives.

Hauser’s writing provides an excellent balance between accessibility and academic rigor, making the complex subjects of genetics, archaeology, historical context, and literary critique engaging to a broad audience. Mythica is an outstanding book that reads like a documentary. Famous figures like Helen, Circe, Penelope, Cassandra, and many other ancient women who were repeatedly brutalised by Homer’s great male heroes are now interestingly reframed. Hauser does an excellent job in stripping the text from the most technical language without hindering the narrative, and consistently enticing the reader with new insights referring to the history behind mythology. In her notes, she mentions using quotations from Emily Wilson's translation (the first woman to translate the Iliad and the Odyssey from the source material), alongside her own translations (she notes studying ancient Greek for over twenty years). This approach is important to avoid repeating the same analysis carried out previously. Her exploration of archaeology and modern technologies—like ancient DNA evidence and digital facial reconstructions (shout-out to the University of Manchester!)—is clear and accessible. It is fascinating what she managed to achieve in this book.

Hauser suggests that modern tools like archaeology, literary critique, and DNA analysis can help uncover the truths about these women’s lives, offering us a more comprehensive and realistic view of these late Bronze Age women. The focus on characters like Briseis and Chryseis illustrates the harrowing reality of how these women’s stories have been sidelined, their pain and strength minimized, and used as devices to serve a hero’s purpose. Hauser articulates a reimagining of these women not as mythical figures but as real individuals with experiences that reflect the complexities of ancient Greek and Hittite societies. Hauser invites the readers to reconsider the stories we’ve inherited and rethink them as complex, nuanced, and multifaceted stories.

Mythica is a necessary book for anyone interested in Greek mythology, history, and a non-misogynistic analysis of the Homeric women. Hauser’s well-researched, fascinating and thought-provoking work challenges ingrained perceptions and re-signifies the experiences of the women who shaped the myths that have persisted for millennia.

Rating: 4.5/5
Highly Recommended

Thank you, Emily Hauser and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday, for this digital galley via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and personal opinion.

I loved the sound of this one and from what I read i found it to be quite informative and interesting. However I'm in a really weird headspace and just struggling with non-fiction at the moment. It's been weeks since I picked this one up and at the moment in time I'm just going to soft dnf with the aim of picking it up in the future.

So sorry!

Mythica: A New History of Homer’s World, Through the Women Written Out of It by Emily Hauser

Dr Emily Hauser's hotly anticipated Mythica is a unique and timely exploration of women in the ancient Greek world. Taking Homeric epics as a starting point, Dr Hauser uses tangible evidence to make the women of mythology real. Often sidelined, used as mere plot devices, or even entirely nameless altogether, the women of the Odyssey and Iliad have certainly long been overlooked. Drawing from cutting edge archeological studies, Dr Hauser digs beneath the surface of brief literary glimpses of characters such as Helen of Troy, Briseis, Penelope, and through osteoarchaeology and DNA analysis, fuller pictures are built of the mothers, maidens, queens and slaves previously resigned to the edges of men's heroic stories. Their heartaches, hopes, and the mundane realities of daily Bronze Age lives are painted vividly, rewriting well known stories in greater colour. Blending literature, history, science, and feminist criticism, this book makes an accessible primer for approaching Homer with new eyes, as well as an excellent all round introduction to the world of Ancient Greece. A fantastic read for anyone interested in myth, archaeology, feminism, or (like me), all three!

Thank you Doubleday and NetGalley for this ARC copy.
Mythica is out now!

In this book Hauser uses the female characters from Homer's epic poetry to explore the lives of real women during the classical Greek era.

I personally would say there's a lot of "technical" content in this book - but it didn't feel overdone, dense or overwhelming. I really liked that the lives of more ordinary women were highlighted as well as nobility, and that some of the less prominent characters were further explored.

Overall enjoyable read and a fresh perspective on an area with lots of writings already available.

A thoroughly researched and personal exploration of women within Homer's history and writing. I really enjoyed it

Wow, wow, wow. Nothing I say will truly capture how much I loved reading this. From the prologue, I knew I was going to be hooked.

Mythica shines a spotlight on women. Each chapter focuses on a different woman from the works of Homer, and by using archaeological, historical, and scientific evidence from the Bronze Age, it reimagines these figures of myth. The book demythifies them and roots their stories in reality in a way that feels fresh and fascinating. It also challenges many longstanding assumptions about the role of women during that time, which I found so interesting.
And as someone with a science background, I was especially excited by the mentions of ancient DNA!

What really stood out for me, though, was Hauser’s storytelling. She weaves fiction and non-fiction together so seamlessly, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative in each chapter.

I don’t usually gravitate towards non-fiction, and I’m not a classicist (most of my knowledge comes from some brilliant podcasts), but I still adored this book. It’s incredibly accessible, even if you’re not typically a non-fiction reader—so I’d really encourage you to give it a try.

Thank you so much to Double Day UK for the eARC of the brilliant Mythica!

This has to be one of my favourite releases of 2025 and where was it when I was researching dissertation ideas in 2023?

I feel like I constantly repeat this but Penelope is one of my favourite characters from ancient literature so I was sold on this book the minute I knew there was a section dedicated to her. I want to highlight that this is not a retelling or fiction but a detailed look into the women behind the tales.

Dr Emily Hauser's work is well-researched and written in an engaging way perfect for those wanting to learn more behind the stories of The Iliad and The Odyssey. I love the combination of archaeological evidence and translated works to help get a broader picture. I really could have done with this when looking at Helen, Penelope and Circe as part of my portrayal of Homer's women in my dissertation.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of your interested in a more in depth look at those featured in The Iliad and Odyssey!

Hauser is one of my favourite classicists, so receiving this ARC was a real honour and it did not disappoint! Mythica is an incredibly well researched exploration into the lives of the women on Homer, both well-known and not, giving light to their stories rather than focusing on the men who are so well known.

I am already a huge greek mythology nerd but Hauser’s work helped broaden my own knowledge and provide a massively rich and exciting history to the women that are often brushed aside. Hauser’s introduction and mentions of museums and archeology are also incredibly interesting and an important topic.

Hauser did a brilliant job of intertwining storytelling with historical research, to create an immersive recount of how these woman might have lived; and gave us so much more insight, something we don’t usually get with research of the same topic.

Writhe with feminism, racism, misogyny, colonialism and identity - Mythica is a must-read for anyone interested in classics, greek mythology and the history of women.

Thank you to NetGalley and Double Day and Random House UK for the ARC!

Thoroughly loved the multi-layers of information in this book. She may be a non-fiction read but she is immersive, captivating and interesting! Storytelling interwoven beautifully with an abundance of information about the ancient world and mythology. Bringing women to the forefront both as mythological or historical characters, but also as retellers and researchers of their stories.
I had pre-ordered the audiobook of this but so grateful to have the ARC e-book, as actually think that for this I am able to take more in reading it rather than listening.⁠ It feels like a chapter at a time read, not a binge read, as there is so much interesting information and thoughts in here to spend time pondering.

Mythica is an incredibly researched, brilliantly vivid exploration into the lives of both the famous and the relatively unknown women of the Bronze Age.

As a huge greek mythology fan, this book was the perfect way to deepen my own knowledge and provide even more rich history of the names I know and love, from Athena, Cassandra and Circe, to Eurycleia Hera to Calypso.

Emily did a fantastic job of combining the fictional storytelling (especially from Homer’s poems of The Iliad and The Odyssey) with non-fiction historical research, to create an immersive understanding of how Bronze Age woman might have behaved, lived and died; and went into such vivid detail to highlight how these stories differed from real-world scientific discovery.

I learnt so much about how these stories interweave with feminism, colonialism, racism, misogyny and misinterpretation- and it was a fascinating mixture of archaeology, geography, classics and literature. I highly recommend this to any mythology or history fan, especially if you love The Odyssey or The Iliad!

Just as an aside; I’d like to make clear how this isn’t a mythological retelling, and is a historical text based on non-fiction, with supplemented fictional stories to help flesh out the evidence. I was a little unsure about how this book was marketed at first, but it made much more sense once I was into the main body of the book.

Thank you so much to Emily Hauser, NetGalley and the publisher Double Day & Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release.

A triumph of research and writing, Emily Hauser brings to the fore the overlooked and silenced women of classical literature and mythology. The male oriented view in the translations of Homer has relegated even the most powerful women to the margins. Reexamination combined with the more recent techniques in archaeology (DNA etc) makes for a fascinating new perspective of the women in ancient cultures. I probably don’t read enough non fiction these days but this enthralling book is one that I will buy a physical copy of for future reference.

I really, really enjoyed this. @emilyhauserauthor not only looks at the Homeric basis of this but draws in the actual historical facts that we have discovered through archaeology over the years and the new things being revealed through new scientific processes and research. Hauser explores the roots, the kernels of truth in each of the legendary myths and unveils real recorded and fascinating women of the ancient world across the Mediterranean and the modern middle east from Hittite queens, great royal wives of Egypt, and the remains of royalty and aristocracy uncovered at sites like Mycenae, and Hisarlik - the most likely site of ancient Troy.

I'm not normally a non-fiction reader but I devoured this and my bestie was getting weary of my frequent exclamations and info dumping about fascinating things I was learning.

Mythica is a fantastic ride, it doesn't just talk about the myths and recast them from imagination - Hauser has already done that as have many other excellent authors - but reaches into historical fact to look at how these stories not only generated but have stuck with us for so many millennia.

If you're a Greek Mythology and ancient Greece history nerd, I can wholly recommend this book. It's utterly fascinating, brilliantly and engagingly written.

Massive thanks to @penguinukbooks for the approval on@netgalley!

When I say this book blew me away, it is an understatement. This book perfectly mixes the ancient world with the modern. Interwoven stories of the Ancient Greek myths with stories from the 19th and 20th centuries all presented with 21st century science evidence. It sounds like it shouldn’t work but it does in the most compelling way possible. Well known mythological women’s stories are presented in a way in which we can see how their real life counterparts would have lived. Whilst obviously these women didn’t exist, Dr Emily Hauser provides evidence and stories to give us a glimpse into the lives of women long forgotten and whose stories have never been told. Women are often forgotten, a mere note in the literature of the ancient world, Dr Emily Hauser enables their story to be told in a new, exciting and relatable light. New evidence is put forward, new stories are told such as Puduhepa, the Hittite Queen, one of the most influential women of the ancient world however so little is written about her. Her voice along with many others is shouted across this wonderful book. It’s got everything, archeology, mythology, DNA sequencing and so much more. I throughly recommend picking this up especially any students of the Ancient world. Wonderful. 9.5/10 🩷

What a stunningly refreshing reinterpretation of the ancient Greek myths. Seen through the eyes of female scholarship and research. A very readable but important scholarly work.

Well researched and beautifully written, this book delves into the untold stories of women in Ancient Greece. This was a blend of historical, archeological and scientific information woven together to give these silent women a voice.

If you love Greek mythology and want to delve further into the world of Homer this book is for you!

As a huge fan of the recent resurgence in myths, but from the women’s point of view, I found this non fiction book to be informative & beautifully written. Emily Hauser has written a modern classic.