Themiscyra: home of the Amazons (and Wonder Woman)

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In his third series for The Essay, composer Erland Cooper turns his attention once again to the mythical world. This time, he embarks on five imaginary journeys to cities. Accompanying him are writers, academics and storytellers who know all about these legendary locations. Each episode is scored by Erland's own music. In this episode, he explores Themiscyra (or Themyscira), the legendary home of the Amazons. While modern audiences know it as the sun-drenched, marble-clad hidden island home of Wonder Woman, we look back to antiquity to discover the grit and reality behind the myth of these warrior women who were just as fierce and talented in battle as any Greek male warrior. Historian Adrienne Mayor from Stanford University joins us to locate the "real" Themyscira in the territory of Pontus, on the southeastern coast of the Black Sea in modern-day Turkey. And we examine why the spirit of Themyscira continues to haunt our creative minds today. Reader: Molly Gromadzki Producer: Victoria Ferran Exec producer: Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 3