Why did the Ancient Greeks depict a womb as an octopus in their textbooks?

Their writings and (mis)understandings of the female body might seem borderline comical now, but how did these beliefs on the physical indicators of womanhood still impact us today?

Joining Kate is Helen King, author of Immaculate Forms: A History of the Female Body in Four Parts, to explore Ancient Greeks beliefs on breasts, clitoris, hymen and the womb.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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What The Ancient Greeks Got Wrong About The Female Body 46:47 Share

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

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What The Ancient Greeks Got Wrong About The Female Body