The goddesses of Greek mythology are as mighty, revered, and destructive as their male counterparts. ‘Rock star mythologist’ (Washington Post) Natalie Haynes is here to tell their stories.

In novels, non-fiction, and stand-up, Natalie Haynes has brought the world of Greek mythology alive with wonder, humour, and humanity. Now she returns to How To Academy to explore the role of goddesses.

In this live, on-stage talk, she will introduce us to Athene, who sprang fully formed from her father’s head: goddess of war and wisdom, guardian of Athens. We run with Artemis, goddess of hunting and protector of young girls (apart from those she decides she wants as a sacrifice). Here is Aphrodite, goddess of sex and desire – there is no deity more determined and able to make you miserable if you annoy her. And then there’s the queen of all the Olympian gods: Hera, Zeus’s long-suffering wife, whose jealousy of his dalliances with mortals, nymphs and goddesses lead her to wreak elaborate, vicious revenge on those who have wronged her.

We also meet Demeter, goddess of agriculture and mother of the kidnapped Persephone, we sing the immortal song of the Muses and we warm ourselves with Hestia, goddess of the hearth and sacrificial fire. The Furies carry flames of another kind – black fires of vengeance for those who incur their wrath.

Isn’t it time we looked beyond the columns of a ruined temple to the awesome power within?

Praise for the work of Natalie Haynes:

‘Natalie Haynes is the nation’s great muse’ – Adam Rutherford

‘Haynes is a master of her trade… She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories.’ – Daily Telegraph

‘Natalie Haynes is beyond brilliant.’ – Amanda Foreman

‘[Haynes] deftly drags the classics into the modern world.’ – Kate Atkinson