Remember, you can now submit video requests via my google form! This will always be in the description box from now on forms.gle/FcdBtFMnrRR7eGrd9

In German the name of the Greek "Circe" got implemented in the German language where it became the root word for the German verb "bezirzen" meaning "to sweet talk, to bewitch"

In cause someone needs to hear this today (February 14th), you are a wonderful person, you are lovely, and I wish you all the best!

Thanks for the deeper look at Circe! I've always found her actions of turning the sailors into pigs but then helping them out in the end a little confusing. I didn't know she was considered a goddess, too. I just heard she was a powerful witch. She's now one of my favorite Greek deities. Edit: I learned a lot, and now I'll have to hunt down that book you cited at the beginning.

What a coincidence, I was just about to finish Madeline Miller’s novel. Circe is such an interesting figure, glad that you covered her.

I would say that being named after an ancient goddess would be slightly cooler than being named after Ferris Bueller's best friend

I read both Circe and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Both brilliant, brilliant books. I also highly recommend The Memoirs of Helen of Troy by Amanda Elyot. That was the book that started my obsession with Greek mythology. Just wonderful.

Circe, her sister Pasephae and niece Medea are 3 of the most powerful mages of the Greek mythology and they are all part of the Royal family of Colchis. To understand them you should look deeper into Colchian civilisation. Colchis was a part of early European farmers, (might even be the oldest one) who spread Agriculture and civilization to Europe. In this world women were the preastly cast, having a greater social power than later IE counterparts, we can see this in another EEF kingdom as the Minoans (Pasephae is also the wife of King minos) and back in colchis where we find great number of Female priest burrials with vast amount of treasures, including massive sun discos as they were most likely priests of the sun (hence the daughters of Helios). Sun in Georgian mythology is a female figure and is a prominent archetype in surviving myths. These so called witches used herbal knowledge forgein to the barbaric newcomers like Jason or Odyseus, who were Helens an IE people. And while women were fertility nature priests, men were Forge priests, Colchians being famous for their metalwork, including goldsmithing, hence the myth of Golden Fleece, which was just us using sheep's skin to rinse gold from river beds up in the mountains

Another interesting interpretation of Circe's transforming men into swine that I've been playing around with in my head is the powerful connections to goddess Hestia, Lady of the Hearth and of its Fire. Like her sister Demeter, domesticated pigs were sacred to Hestia, the eternal virgin goddess, considered most pure and beloved of all Olympians. All sacrifices made to the gods included "the riches of portions" promised to Hestia alone, since it was her fires that carried the offerings to the gods and empowered them. Hestia also shared jurisdiction and responsibility with Zeus (over the laws of hospitality), Hera (over family), and Hermes (over trade, travel, and transactions). So, here's my thinking of yet another interpretation of Circe: Whether or not the crew of Odysseus knew of Circe's divinity, they were trespassing, made no announcement of themselves at the communal hearth, and so the goddess was free to view them as potential threats to her home and safety. But, as a simultaneous punishment and protection for the men (least they fall to the worse wrath of Zeus for their transgression), Circe turned them into pigs - i.e. domesticated swine, and therefore sacred to the goddess Hestia. Hermes, being so clever and sharing responsibilities with Hestia, enacted a plan so that all parties would be spared and come out whole and healthy. Because you're absolutely right: Odysseus could do no real harm to a goddess with a sword. It was a ritual of supplication and hospitality; it was a ritual to beseech the mercy and benevolence of Hestia. First, Circe symbolically requests Odysseus' mercy; this allows her to forgive the slight by his men and to welcome them fully into her home. And again, before leaving, when Odysseus shows full honors and respect to Circe for her generosity and hospitality. All this surrounding the blood of swine - which is as you said, and perhaps even more strongly shown now as the purest of blood - that which is greatly sacred to goddess Hestia. People don't give Hestia enough credit because she stayed out of drama and did her job well, but her connection to virtually every story and ancient Mediterranean evidence goes much deeper than those same people likely realize. I should know, until I took the time to really learn about her, I took her awesome-ness for granted, too. Great video! Glad this was my first. I'll be back for more.

thinking of Circe keeping the sailors as her prized little piggies is so great.

We love Circe.

your dogs playing while you mention cerberus is so darling

We have a cat named Circe! Named after the witch herself. She is beguiling.

Thank you for putting your skill and effort into really understanding Circe within her historical and cultural context.

I was literally just suddenly wanting to know about Circe yesterday and now I’m seeing this!

Madeleine Miller’s Circe was absolutely stunning; I need to read her other one. Thank you for this video!

I wonder if the similarities between the words for circle and hawk, and the debate over which one her name comes from is because hawks tend to fly in circles. If her name comes from hawk, but hawk comes from something like "bird that circles", both would be correct.

I was stuck in an art block for a while. Much of my art is historical and your videos have been giving me so many ideas! I’ve decided my next piece will be inspired by the seated woman of Çatal Hüyük. Thank you for all you do Cinzia!

The algorithm did a very good thing by leading me to this video. I immediately subscribed! Circe is my favorite book and I loved learning something new in this vid.

I am descended from Susanna Martin who was hung in Salem. And I am a generational witch. Mom was a witch.

Bonus video?? What a treat

Your voice is exactly what I needed after a not so lovely day. Thank you for doing what you're doing, it is so so so appreciated

I love learning more about the figures in mythology stories. Your doggies sound delightful! There's a 175% I would forget about filming and go play with them, so thanks for staying on task so we could enjoy both things 😄

I loved this, your delivery of information is always so interesting. Such a great insight into Circe, I read Circe by Madeline Miller and plan to read the Odyssey this year. I find your videos so helpful in giving me better understanding of these topics ♡

Your voice is everything, so soothing. If you read audiobooks I would listen to them all. Many thanks for another wonderful review of a historic figure.

Subbed! Very informative and engaging, thank you for the hard work you’ve clearly put into making this video and for fuelling our collective love of ancient mythology :)

Fabulous video, can’t wait for your Circe Part 2!

Fascinating! I applaud the clarity on anachronism. Excellence!

whooohooo! I'm so happy to find you!!! yay! This is a fantastic video. I love the J.W. Waterhouse painting. It's one of my favorites. I can't wait to watch more. Thank you for all your hard work.

Oh Cinzia. What a topic! Fascinating and compelling. Loved it. You continue to be remarkable. Thank you.

So timely! I’m working on an art project using Circe Invidiosa!

You’ve got a new sub!! I love how you casualise academic readings of mythology! You make learning fun and attention grabbing without sacrificing intellectual integrity :)

So much Cinzia! Life is good.

Thank you so much for this super neat sorceress video!

Fascinating stuff - thankyou.

Back-to-back uploads! We’ve been blessed! Thank you, this is my evening sorted😍❤️

i was just scrolling through your channel and saw you posted both a circe video and a blackbeard video within days of each other and the book i'm writing is literally a pirate book featuring Circe as the main character! what are the odds? amazing video as always! would love to see you touch on another sorceress Medea (her niece) in another video and the time they met during the argonautica.

Cinzia, I'm a big fan of mythology, and a big fan of history as well, so I very much appreciate your efforts to connect the dots between both domains. A good way to know and understand the generations that preceded us is to remember the stories they told each other, and the context these stories came about. Continue your good work!

Two days in a row, you're spoiling us!

Great video as always! I really wish the subtitles were better. For me, it really helps seeing dates & names in order to understand everything better.

Actually for the Estonian translation of Madeline's book it's titled as "Kirke". Funnily we actually have this as a name for girls in Estonia even today. Also loved your video, as someone else said below - you've got yourself another subscriber ❤

The winged Goddess from Babylonia pictured is normally associated with Inanna/otherwise known in Mesopotamia as Ishtar… it is also possible that it may be the Goddess Ereshkigal “Queen of the night” Ishtar’s sister. Other scholars have associated this pictured Goddess with Lilith.

My favorite version of Circe is still from DC. Her wanting Batman and having it out for Wonder Woman is absolutely fantastic. It’s such a, such a good episode.

As a person that enjoys audiobooks I must say that this lady will be a great audiobook narrator. Please get into the business I would love to hear you narrate a dark fantasy novel

Love all your videos.😊

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Btw this video is perfect content for me today ❤

Girl you know what I love your show so much I love her voice I love your content and I love the extent to which you do your research I've learned a lot watching you and I love falling asleep to the sound of your voice I was thinking I don't know if you thought about this but surely you must have considered doing this and podcast form or perhaps you already do and I am unaware of it either way you have a very hypnotizing voice and I hear those podcasts are a big bad way to monetize nowadays! Anyways thank you so much for your content truly appreciated!

The vulture as the goddess of death is found in Göbekli Tepe around 10,000 B.C.E. The stella shows her playing with a human head next to a human body. Yes, the image is even older. And that's Anatolia too.

This was lovely

Still waiting to see you do the history of Medusa! Thank you for such a great video on Circe.

I just want to say that I Genuinely & Sincerely Love your show . The very first thing I get from shows is the Voice. And i LOVE your voice! It's melodic and I enjoy listening to you talk on some of my Favorite Subjects! I knew NOTHING of Krampus and my first lesson was You! LoL. So thank you! I 😊hope u keep on doing what u r doing like only u do!! STAY AMAZING!

Love this video like the rest of them. Can you do a video on Hecate? the boss of boss when it comes to witches.

Looking forward to the 2nd part regarding her transformations if you feel called to make one. :)

I LOVE your channel 💕

Great video! Circe is my favorite female character, have the Waterhouse painting above my bed ^^

I hope you're doing splendidly too, my friend. You look fabulous. As always, a wonderfully knowledgeable and brilliant video.

Circe is a very interesting character and a very favorite of mine in Greek mythology. She was the beautiful and cunning sorceress who lived on the island of Aeaea and transform people into animals. They should make a movie or a tv series about her. I think Emma Stone, Emma Watson, Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Dormer, Rebecca Mader, Elle Fanning, Sophie Turner, Maia Mitchell, Bonnie Wright or Alexandra Daddario would be suitable to play the role of Circe.

"The Continent of Circe" by the writer Nirad Chaudhuri got me going about Circe. So I ordered the book "Circe" too. Pig's blood being a purifier has to be an auspicious beginnings. Very very lovely.

Hey thanks for this, I'm going to try and use Circe's granddaughter (and Circe's house) in a novel and this is what I needed.

12:34 That statue reminds me of the Venus of Botero, found in Ponce, the city I live in.

In Germanic tribes, the female shaman would sacrifice the sacred boar/pig. In pre-colonial Philippines, the female shamans also sacrificed boars/pigs in rituals. Very interesting information on pigs!

Do you think you'd do a video on anat? She is so cool! Loved the video, and your channel! Such an eloquent voice 🌼💖

Wonderful

Coming here after finishing Madeline Miller’s book. It’s one of my new favorites. I’m a pagan and have wondered if Circe might be calling me to work with her. I work with Hecate already, along with Ares, Aphrodite, and Dionysus. I love how informative your videos are! Thank you for your research!

Following up on the unmarried > virginal, I would love to see your take on Athena

Love ur vids. Hugs from Peru

I love your necklace

Bingeing your videos!!! Love Medusa 🖤

I would love some literature on the ancient greek conception on gender. I am trying to write my bachelor thesis on Platos idea of women the the Timaeus. lovely video for a lovely mytholoigal figure. 🥰

I feel like I might have been Circe once :) Also interesting resonance with the Tzolkin character CIMI. Love

BRILLIANT 👍👍👍

This was a fantastic video - I’ve read all the texts you mention and really enjoyed your concise yet deep analysis. I followed! Also, I have black hair, wire glasses, and often wear red lips and my husband literally asked me if I was watching myself on KZfaq! 😂 #Twins

Great video as always! Speaking of goddesses, you look like one :) love the jewellery

Jfc I didn't even watch yesterdays yet! Killer queen.

I have a fringe theory that I think is consistent with what you're talking about. Back in the days of Gobekli Tepe and similar sites, the Circle was perhaps the holiest symbol. Imagine coming from afar to gather at the (yearly? monthly?) feast. You'd be guided by the carrion birds flying in circles atop THE Circle of stone. Communal life takes place, lots of eating, drinking, storytelling, the passing down of knowledge, concocting beer and other remedies, etc. Perhaps a real person or a figurine would be at the center of it, surrounded by statues of animals and people dressed as animals. Over time, memories of these times would morph into stories of a goddess living in a stone mansion surrounded by people turned into animals and curing people with strange beverages.

She’s had a long history in DC’s Wonder Woman comics. I was actually hoping her character would appear in Wonder Woman 3. But now with the DC shake up who knows?

Good stuff, Kiddo.

wonderful video... were the bird priestess images from ephesus in the flesh eating bird godesses section from this same circe book? or another source? keep up the great work. looking forward to the next bit of circe stuff..

Hello! I have just discovered your KZfaq channel and I love it! I am currently in my last year of my undergrad in Classical Studies and my last project is to curate an exhibition based on Greek Mythology and I was actually thinking about using Circe. Do you have any recommendations on artwork, statues or literature that would be interesting to look into?

The goddess at 18:27 is Inanna. Glad to see her here :)

Circe is nat Greek, She is Colchisian and from north of Blacksea region in Anatolia, same place Amozons ( female warriors). even till nowadays ladies are powerful in this region Because ladies prepared medicine from the plants but only Greek monks prepared medicine from plants in the Temple in this way in great mythology. She was shown as Barbarian also her niece Medea.

my goodness me how do you recall so much,

What do you think of the sources which identify Mount Circeo in Italy with Circe's lair, the Greek geographer Strabo and the Latin poet Virgil?

New subscriber here. Great vid.

As someone who lived with the study of the Salem, MA witchcraft hysteria. Witchcraft as mythology is a fascinating study. But to see it as perceived in the 17th Century as a means to exert political power and dominance as the cost often of those who were totally innocent.

Can you do one of Calypso and Metis?

This video had me subscribing so hard

hecate next pleehhhssss

Animal carcasses left out in an open pit would rapidly cease to smell. Rotting flesh doesn't stink indefinitely. Coming back months later, the carcasses would be dry and well past the stage of stinking.

Have you filmed anything about Lupercalia yet?

Thank you for showing your face!

Thank you, very interesting. Would it be possible to give the spellings of the goddesses that you mention in the "Flesh-Eating Bird Goddess" section, where your pronunciations are excellent, it can be difficult to work out how to spell them in order to do additional research.

I have Circe and The Song of Achilles to read and cannot wait! I've never read Greek mythology before but find it fascinating!!

Can you please cover nymphs and ondines?

Thank you for talking about Circe. My boyfriend and I were having a discussion about her and her relationship with Odysseus and he says it wasn’t a consensual relationship because he slept with Circe so that his men could be turned back to humans and I wanted your opinion. You don’t have to answer just curious. At the end of the day we have to read the Odyssey and see how it’s written and decide for ourselves.

As I understood it, Asia Minor had been held by Indo-European peoples since before the Bronze Age Collapse until the Seljuks took it from the ERE. The Hittites, then passing between the Greeks and Persians back and forth. If you meant that these deities had largely come from Phoenician sources, that might make more sense.

Yo, you're an awesome story teller. I'm happy I found you. You have another subscriber ma lady.

Are there any greek myth books you would recommend

1985 during my kundalini opening i was trying to create ancient Greek vases as they were made. Covered with terracotta clay i attempted to wash in the shower cupping my face with water what appears was a horus type bird, well i jumped back in frieght only to transfere my consciousness in to this image as the wings opened to take flight, two near death expierences later, my kundalini rose while in the company of a Kirke greek women from Rhodes.

Do you have any book recommendations for a history of witchcraft?