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About Paleothea
First of all, this blog is part and parcel of the larger website: www.paleothea.com - Women in Greek Myths.
Paleothea is meant to mean “ancient goddess,” paleo meaning ancient and thea meaning goddess. It’s more a contemporary English way of forming new words out of old ones than an actual ancient Greek word, but you don’t really care do you?
I have slowed way down on adding to the main site. I do, however, keep up with what’s going on in the field, and from time to time I will come here and report on such things. I also expect to talk about art, good books, and my own experiences (as they relate to Women in Greek Myths). I welcome comments, discussion, and even contributers to blog! (Email me if you’re interested in that last bit.)
Paleothea.com was born out of my personal interest in Greek myths - particularly the lesser discussed myths about women - when I was 13 years old (back in 1996) and wasn’t really meant to be a definitive source for anybody. My particular interest, the reason I thought it was worth having a separate site, was that, at the time, there was virtually nothing with pictures alongside the stories. Personally, I think the pictures add a lot; they both aid in visualizing and realizing the stories and people and tell us a good deal about what aspects of the stories are important to people today. That said, I am always interested in hearing what you like and would like to see more of.
It feels a little weird to be writing about myself here … but I suppose since the site has become something that other people are citing, I ought to locate myself. I Bachelor of Arts with a major in Ancient Greek Language and Literature and am now going for a PhD anthropology, I’m a feminist (in the 3rd wave sense), and the rest I’ll keep to myself. I don’t know how relevant this explanation is to the readership, but those are a couple of big points of my identity. In addition to being an ancient Greek major, I am particularly interested in culture studies, gender studies, and tend to believe that everything comes down to issues of identity. That said, I love the myths not so much for what they can tell us about the world in any objective sense, but because I think they themselves are awesome.
My real name, that is, the one I use in my “real life” is not Ailia Athena. I’ve been considering posting it here, but the name is the only connection this site has to its beginnings, so I will probably leave it be. If you are citing me, Ailia Athena is my nomme de plume (like Mark Twain instead of Samuel Langhorn Clemmens) and thus all you need to know.
One question that has come up from time to time is whether you should trust what you read on this site. The answer is an unashamed no. Although I try really hard to verify my sources and correct things that I wrote long ago (as I mentioned, this site has been in the making since I was 13 and before I knew anything about anything I had a whole lot of misinformation) the only sources you should really “believe” are the original sources (the Homeric Hymns, Hesiod, Ovid, Apollodorous, etc.) like on my References page. If you are doing real research, you should check out those original sources or email me for my sources on whomever you’re interested, or go to a site that gives you direct citations (like theoi.com).
One last thing about me: my favorite myths, goddesses, and women tend to change with my mood, but generally, I like the ones who challenge and/or typify constructions of gender (check out Agdistis and Iphis for starters).
Ailia,
Been watching and enjoying your site since I first found it.
Looks like a few changes more recently, including the blog.
The stories and characters on your site also interest me a lot.
Good to see such passion and enthusiasm for those old forgotten goddesses and monsters. Best place on the net for some of this info.
All the best
Iacchus
Comment by iacchus — December 30, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
[…] on symbols of motherhood comes to you as part of the motherhood synchroblogging project sparked by Ailia, author of Paleothea: The Ancient Goddess […]
Pingback by Symbols of Motherhood: A Bird’s Eye View « A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings — March 31, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
HAI!
i’ve been reading up on your site, as I have an assesment due soon. It’s an investigation into Greek Mythology and how it reflects the women of the time, and i have to say how AWESOME this site has been!
Though I have a favour to ask - in your peice on Athena, you mention the reasoning behind Athenian women being denied vote and passing on their name to their shildren - but try as I might I can’t find reference to this anywhere but here! Can you show me where you first read this? Thank you!
Bess, a willing student.
Comment by Bess — July 16, 2008 @ 4:31 am
I was wandering through info on Hestia and found your site. Really enjoyed your style. Has anyone told you that you completely rock lately? Thanks for putting this project out there for the rest of us.
Comment by Merry — July 16, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
I have been going on your site since I was 12, fascinated with Greek mythology. I have to say that I find your stories humorous and very thorough. You even have the most discrete female characters from the myths here. It’s been seven years, and I just wanted to say “Great job!”
Comment by Kakari — August 18, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Hey there Kakari! I’m really flattered that you have been visiting for so long. Thank you for commenting.
Comment by Ailia — August 18, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Hi Ailia,
I have been a fan for many years of your incredible web site, and I’m so thankful to have found your blog here.
I am a sculptural ceramic artist, and I deal with issues that concentrate on mythology, feminism, women’s heath, and the list goes on. I am just beginning research on a new project, and would love to talk more with you and possibly form a collaboration.
I know that this may be a bit much coming from a complete stranger, and I apologize for that! If you have time, I would love to hear back from you.
Thanks,
Jessica
Comment by Jessica — November 6, 2008 @ 11:12 am
How do you pronounce Ailia? I’m assuming it’s ay-LEE-a … but could use the help!
Thank you!
Hi Dacia! Ailia’s first and foremost a written pseudonym so I don’t police pronunciation. That said, when forced to say it aloud, I usually pronounce it AY-lee-a.
Comment by Dacia — November 12, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Hello,
I just happened to stumble across your site in search for nymphs. I’m definetly loving this, I always wanted to learn more about mythology and never had time. I’m looking for inspiration and this is definetly something! The art your posting is definetly a plus. I love the romantic pieces and the darker mythological ones as well. BTW, the book suggestions are great, cant wait to check them out!
-eM
Comment by eM — November 25, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
I’m editing a collection of Victorian fairy tales that will appear at the end of this year.
One of the stories is in verse form and the last line of each verse ends with the phrase “O iero!”
I don’t what this means or where it comes from, but I think it may be transliterated ancient Greek.
Any ideas? The first answer I can use gets a footnote in the book and a copy when it comes out.
Oooh! I want stuff! Hope my response was useful!
Comment by Tony Simpson — April 10, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
i realy like the picher its realy nice and i need help about aphrodite and i need to know were i can get info and PICHER for my s.s. project if youcan plz help
Comment by ahs — April 14, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Holaz Ailia
You probably get a lot of these types of comments but you TOTALLY ROCK!!!!!!!!!!! I’m sooooo not kidding. I was looking for a website about greek myths two years ago and I found yours and it destroys all of the others!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for creating it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abby
Comment by Abby — June 19, 2009 @ 10:01 am
I’ve been visiting your site since before high school! Thanks to you, I got to be the little know-it-all in my English class during the Greek Myths portion of the class. Don’t worry, I didn’t hoard all the knowledge, I shared my secret. I love Greek Myths. It’s like one big soap opera. The stories can get really confusing especially with all the Gods/people involved, but your site made it easy to keep track of Zeus’ affairs. Thanks for providing us with a great site with great visuals! Keep up the good work.
Comment by Jeanetics — August 9, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Just discovered your website and blog today and am loving your style of writing! It’s casual and humorous, without missing all the important facts. I hope you are able to continue building on this fantastic resource. Would whining about it help?
Okay: pretty pretty pleeeeeeeeease?
Comment by Irmata — October 23, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
A friend made a reference to Aristophanes’s idea of soul mates. When I googled it, I came across your site. What a great find! I love it! It reminds me how fascinating these old stories and ideas can be. Definitely worth bookmarking.
Comment by YS — November 23, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Ailia, I just found your blog and have been having fun exploring it and its various parts. You’ve got a great mind — thanks for developing and sharing your website and good luck with your studies!
Comment by Mary — November 25, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Hi Aillia, I just wanted to say that your site is amanzing! You have so much information on even the very discret charcters of Greek myths. I just wanted you to know that you’re awsome!
Comment by Shosanna — February 28, 2010 @ 1:19 am
Hey, I’d just like to say that you are amazing. This website has become my favorite place to be on the internet and its all thanks to you. Thanks again Aillia!
-Hopeful student,
Marie
Comment by Calliope Marie — March 17, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
Hi Ailia,Awhile back wemet through email and I just wanted to suggest that you keep writing.Thank you Ailia
-Greatful young girl
Jaden Lee
Comment by Jaden Lee — March 28, 2010 @ 10:52 am
Thought you might like to know what really happened to my sandal!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-p-h-r-o-d-i-t-e/4661867926/
Comment by Aphrodite — June 2, 2010 @ 6:04 am