Partheneia

Ancient Myths for Modern Maidens

"But she is, more than the Sirens, capable of song..."

"The greatest glory of a woman is to be least talked about by men, whether in praise or blame."

-Pericles

Except... no. Obviously, no.

What is Partheneia?

(spoiler: it's Greek myths, with a shamelessly feminist agenda)

Imagine you have a toxic ex. Maybe he cheated and blamed you for not putting out. Maybe he couldn't handle the fact that your salary is higher. Take your pick, or fill in the blank with your own real-life misogynist. Would you want him writing your biography? Your eulogy? Could the world trust his version of your story?

Even modern feminist myth retellings like Circe and Stone Blind accept certain premises. Hera was jealous and spiteful, Athena blamed the victim, Artemis was cold and unforgiving, and so on. But who says? Why are we taking as gospel the word of ancient male writers who drank misogyny with their mothers' milk? Yes, their versions are the only ones we have... is that a good enough reason?

We don't think so. Partheneia breathes new life - and a few grains of salt - into the Greek myths, giving girls, women, and goddesses the benefit of the doubt for once in ancient history.

Two editions, both alike in dignity...

Illustrated

This illustrated hardcover turns a collection of myths into a collector's item, to hold and treasure or give as a gift to a girl who needs to hear her side of the story told.

Annotated

This edition provides a more thoughtful, critical experience with footnotes and end notes explaining where Partheneia deviates from the source material and why, as well as additional information and context.

What's Next:

Support Partheneia on Kickstarter

What is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a platform that allows creatives like me to fund their projects through pre-orders. This is NOT a donation. Backers receive products in exchange for their pledge.

When will it launch?

The launch date is tentatively set for May 13, 2025 and will run for about three weeks. I'll be keeping everyone up to date with sneak peeks and news via newsletter.

What will I get?

Backers can select different pledge tiers with different rewards. Rewards have not yet been finalized but will include a variety of extras in addition to Partheneia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these the real myths?

Well, that depends. Whose version is the real one? Ancient writers frequently disagreed with each other, and even with themselves. These stories were told and retold for hundreds, even thousands of years. There's a well-established tradition of artistic license, especially in the plays written by the greats like Aeschylus and Euripides. The changes I've made are similar in scope to those made by ancient writers.

What's the educational value of Partheneia?

Despite the alterations I've made in my retellings of the myths, readers will still come away equipped with the same essential information they would find in any other basic Greek mythology primer or Greek mythology unit. For instance, students will be well able to pass a typical high school quiz on the "who-what-where" of the major Greek myths.

Is Partheneia appropriate for young girls?

That is entirely at the discretion of the parents of said young girls, but this work is aimed primarily at ladies of about 14 and up. Although there are no graphic descriptions of sex or violence, I felt very strongly that the stories should not obscure the reality of what was happening to these women. Zeus did not "fall in love" with his mortal victims. He raped them. The ancient sources made no bones about it, and neither do I. These stories, tragic and ugly as they can be, have much to say that is urgently relevant to women today. I've written the stories in such a way as to prompt reflection on issues like consent, sexual agency, victim blaming, gossip, and more.

Is there a more child-friendly version?

One of the stretch goals for the Kickstarter campaign will be a series of unit studies focusing on Artemis, Athena, and Hestia. In addition to lessons and activities covering a variety of subjects, these unit studies will include stories from Partheneia that have been slightly altered to suit younger audiences.

So do you, like... hate men?

Most emphatically, no! These ancient writers were products of their societies. I would say it's not their fault, but any discussion of fault is beside the point. The purpose here is not to cast blame but rather to challenge assumptions.

Meet the Team

Kassandra Flamouri, Author

Kassandra Flamouri is the author of three published novels and mother to the amazing and indefatigable Zoe Grace, the inspiration behind this project. Together they spend their days learning not to touch the stove and planning the downfall of the patriarchy (with the full support of Zoe's dad, who is the model of what a modern man should be).

Dawn Murphy,

Illustrator

Dawn Murphy is a freelance artist, mom, and proud nerd best known for her pop culture sketch cards, portraits, and costume illustrations. Her sketch cards have been licensed by various brands, including Topps, and her Star Wars artworks have been published in Star Wars Insider Magazine and featured in numerous Star Wars Celebration Art Shows. Whether working traditionally or digitally, she enjoys using her love of history and fashion as creative influences in her work. She resides with her equally nerdy husband in the Chicago area.

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