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The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World

Author Alexis Prescott Discusses

2025-06-05 14:00:00 2025-06-05 15:00:00 America/New_York The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World Author Alexis Prescott will discuss her recent release, The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World, a book which provides a readable overview of how the Western witch originated. Virtual -

Thursday, June 05
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-06-05 14:00:00 2025-06-05 15:00:00 America/New_York The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World Author Alexis Prescott will discuss her recent release, The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World, a book which provides a readable overview of how the Western witch originated. Virtual -

Author Alexis Prescott will discuss her recent release, The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World, a book which provides a readable overview of how the Western witch originated.

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.**  

We have an endless interest in witches, don't we? Please join us as author Alexis Prescott discusses her recent release, The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World, a book which provides a readable overview of how the Western witch originated. So profound was the impact of the classical witch upon Western thought and literature that she even lives on today as a prototype of the gruesome woman found in folklore, horror stories and movies. If you are a lover of literature and the history of witches, this talk is for you! 

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Presented in partnership with the Ashland Public Library.

About the book:

The First Witches: Women of Power in the Classical World takes you on a journey into the world of Classical literature, from the adventurous Homeric epic of the Odyssey to the grim warfare of Lucan’s De Bello Civili. In doing so, you will be introduced to a handful of powerful women who will later be labelled as “witches”. The chapters focus upon two specific groups of women from the Graeco-Roman world: the divine Hecate and the formidable yet beautiful Circe, who first feature in Greek texts, and the nefarious Thessalian witches and Erictho, who become marked antagonists in Roman literature. Both Hecate and Circe are fundamentally divine, yet early in their mythologies, they harbour characteristics that will become distinct tropes of witchcraft from being associated with the underworld, lunar lore and dangerous transformative powers. With the onset of increased social tensions in the late Roman Republican to early imperial periods, these divine women become increasingly more demonised within the literature, culminating in Hecate becoming a consort for witches and Circe a seductress and the epitome of the femme fatale.

Simultaneous to these representations, Roman writers adopted a stock character within prose and verse of the hag-witch who was shocking in both appearance and character, displaying many elements of moral turpitude and a disturbing penchant for bestial activities such as cannibalism and the kidnapping and killing of infants. Thus, the hag-witch, most commonly associated with the world of the modern witch hunts and within the pages of modern fairy tale, was born. This book, therefore, provides a readable overview of how the Western witch originated. So profound was the impact of the classical witch upon Western thought and literature that she even lives on today as a prototype of the gruesome woman found in folklore, horror stories and movies. This is why the studying and reading of classical works is so relevant today as it was for our forebears since the literature contains the very ingredients that help to captivate our imaginations and our fears. The authors of the literature and the characters within it will continue to serve as powerful reminders of how the Western world came to be.

About Alexis:

Alexis holds a BA and MA in Ancient History and PGCE in Classics from King's College London. After her masters, she worked as a cataloguer of Roman Republican coins at the British Museum for three years before moving into teaching. Alexis has since been a Classics teacher for over 16 years and has specialised in the teaching of Ancient Greek and Roman epic poetry, Greek tragedy, the Athenian democratic system, Roman Republican history and early Roman imperial history. Alexis has a passionate interest in the representation of folkloric figures in the Classical world and the influences these representations have had upon western thought, literature and film. These interests will be explored in her forthcoming book "The First Witches: Women of power in the Classical World" to be published in spring 2025.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Lecture | History & Genealogy | Author event |

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The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

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Tue, Jul 01, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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Teens will learn how to transform flat paper into 3D forms, and create their own greeting card.

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Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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An hour of relaxation with sound energy healing.

Mon, Jul 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Author and veterinarian Philipp Schott will share history of veterinary medicine, providing an abundance of bizarre, funny, surprising, and heartwarming anecdotes.
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Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer!
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Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
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Gaming day for teens with One Up Games!

Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Join author and illustrator Raúl The Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. Best suited for children in PK-2nd Grade.
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Gather your family and race to be the fastest puzzlers in town!

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Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
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Taught by Julie Stepanek, teens learn how to play the ukulele.

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Back by popular demand! Paint your own custom tote bag.
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Mon, Jul 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal reveals that, behind the legend is a unique colonial hero and scapegoat whose life story was fascinating, exciting, bizarre, and heartrending.
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Tue, Jul 15, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Yoga with Lisa Katz!
Registration opens Tuesday, July 1 2025 at 9:00am

Tue, Jul 15, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens learn to paint on a mason jar, making a unique glass project to take home.

Tue, Jul 15, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
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Adults 18+ will learn to paint on glass, making a unique project to take home.
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Wed, Jul 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
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GIANTS & GIRAFFES | DRAGONS & DETECTIVES

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to search Ancestry Library Edition to find more information about your family history in this hands-on program.

Thu, Jul 17, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a delightful craft event just for puzzle lovers!

Thu, Jul 17, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets.
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Fri, Jul 18, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us to create some hand-stamped tea towels!

Mon, Jul 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to create budget-friendly & heart healthy meals with the Food Bank of of Western Massachusetts! Free sample included!

Mon, Jul 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Morrie Schwartz's wisdom has resonated with people due to the beloved memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie. Now we have the opportunity to speak with his son, Rob Schwartz, about the The Wisdom of Morrie.
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Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Playful Engineers will host an interactive workshop for children.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 1 2025 at 9:00am

Tue, Jul 22, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Playful Engineers will host an interactive workshop for teens.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 1 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Jul 23, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Yoga with Lisa Katz!
Registration opens Wednesday, July 9 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Jul 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
You’re invited to join us online with award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book Free Lunch. 
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Wed, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Sat, Jul 26, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Family-friendly event!
Registration opens Monday, July 7 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Jul 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:00am - 11:45am
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Multi-sensory and exploration
Registration opens Monday, July 14 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Play life-sized games like Jenga, Connect 4, Uno and outdoor games too! 
Registration opens Wednesday, July 9 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
High energy hula hoop performance!
Registration opens Tuesday, July 1 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with neurologist and author Pria Anand to chat about her new book The Electric Mind: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains
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