Have you ever felt pressured to lie (or even to swear falsely) just to please someone in a much higher position? This situation, which may sound very modern, is probably as old as time itself:…
Wednesay after Wednesday, we have surely had our fair share of women renowed for their unique beauty. Isn't it time to lower our expectations? Our guest for this week's Women's Wednesday is Dripetrua (or Drypetina)…
Is it possible to forgive someone for cheating on you? Many would probably say that it is impossible, or unfair even, but our dearest Boccaccio seems to feel differently about that. The story of Aemilia…
Are your relatives nice to you? We know it is not always the case, but if you get to know Berenice’s story you will probably think you are lucky! This week, let us welcome the…
Fancy a cup? You are in good luck! The guest of our weekly Women's Wednesday is Theoxena: a loving mother, aunt, and fan of a good cup of... poison. Theoxena was the daughter of a…
Another Wednesday, another story! This week we are asking you a difficult question: what would you be willing to do in order to maintain your freedom? In his De Mulieribus Claris, Boccaccio often praises the…
Here we are again for our weekly appointment with illustrious women! This week our protagonist is the Sicilian Harmonia, praised by Boccaccio for her strength of mind and her compassion. Daughter of Gelone, who was…
Over the course of our Women's Wednesday column, we have previously mentioned the importance of chastity for Roman matrons, even within married couples. On this note, our protagonist today was considered to be the chastest of all Roman women:…