The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society

In this provocative historical study, British scholar Janega (medieval and early modern history, London Sch. of Economics; The Middle Ages: A Graphic Guide) revisits the Middle Ages to show that contemporary beliefs regarding women, including expectations about their education, appearance, motherhood, work, and sexuality, can be traced to medieval Western ideologies. This work shows these beliefs were often based on Greek and poorly translated Roman philosophical works. Janega first examines the work of foundational ancient scholars, such as Aristotle, Plato, and Hippocrates, who viewed men as “essentially the default humans,” while women were more of an afterthought, with little expected from them, given their physical and intellectual limitations. The Christian doctrine of original sin added a belief that women were oversexed and thus morally inferior to men. Janega offers welcome alternative perspectives from medieval women, including theologian Hildegard of Bingen and writer Christine de Pizan. Narrator Samara Naeymi perfectly captures Janega’s breezy, often irreverent tone, which allows the work to be as entertaining as it is enlightening. Her lively pace and enthusiastic delivery provide an absorbing listening experience.