Three Ravens Bestiary #13: Nymphs

The Three Ravens Podcast

The Ancient Greeks believed they existed before the dawn of time, yet they're a mystery to most, so, for this week's Bonus Episode we're exploring the long and complex history of Nymphs!

Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" series, we start off discussing the roles Nymphs played in the Greco-Roman pantheon, including how they were classified and eventually used, in Imperial projects, to present local and regional gods of pagan cultures, such as the Celts and Britons, as less powerful than the Olympians. This then sees us look at examples of some ancient genius loci from across England, including those found in shrines at Hadrian's Wall, where some local deities defied the odds and survived well into Christianization, later becoming recognised as Saints.

From there we head in two directions - firstly, forward, via Chaucer, Marvell and Shakespeare, into a place where Nymphs and Faeries got a little bit muddled up in the British mindset. After that, we journey back to the start, exploring how writers like Hesiod, Homer, and many others, developed and contributed to the collective idea of 'Nymph Lore' - the roles Nymphs played in city foundation, how they were worshiped, and what 'Nympholepsy' - Nymph Madness - was, and why some people sought it out!

Via discussions of the 18th century invention of the idea of 'Nymphomania' - in contrast with other misogynistic (and anti-British) ideas such as Tacitus' characterisation of the Roman Witch Empress Messalina, the vengeful Iceni Queen Boudica, and figures like Britannicus, we wash up in the present day - a time when being called a "nymph" seems to have nothing to do with nature spirits, and much more to do with systems of power and control...

The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

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