This week's #bookrecommendation uncovers the story of an often overlooked Roman - the mother of Romulus and Remus 😯

Laura Sheahen puts a twist on the consequences of Pandora's box in her poem for Issue 10 - hit the link on our profile to read the whole thing 🧡

A shiny new set of #writingprompts has arrived! Tag us in any writing that you do with these, and we'll share them around 🧡

Our #bookrecommendation this week is Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll! If you love a period piece, but are also interested in archaeological and historical issues that plague the present, this is just the book for you 🔆

If you like travelling, Romans, and oranges, you simply must read Jay Aelick's poem in our 10th issue (link in profile!) 🧡 🏛️

Weekend writer's block got you down? Never fear, because we've got a new set of prompts for you here!🏺

Are you interested in feminist histories? Are you curious about the Aegean? If so, our #bookrecommendation for you is Mythica by Emiily Hauser 🧡

"The Titan's Goblet" by Thomas Cole, 1833.

A striking quote from our 10th issue - the complete story, Sirens Don't Sing Underwater is available to read through our profile 🧡 Shantell Powell (she/her) is an elder goth, a swamp hag, and a writer of stories. shanmonster.dreamwidth.org

Your #weeklywritingprompt is here! Be sure to tag us if you end up using these so we can share your work! 🔆

Our book #recommendation of the week is I, Medusa by Ayana Gray 🧡

First-century C.E. Roman wall painting fragment on display at the Met Museum in the U.S. Look closely for the birds! 🐦‍⬛

This week we've got a quote from An Interview with Hermione of Sparta, as featured in Issue 10 🔆 You can read the full piece here: aothenmagazine.com#issue10

First-century C.E. Roman wall painting fragment on display at the Met Museum in the U.S. 🍂

First-century C.E. Roman wall painting fragment. 🤎

Second-century C.E. Roman wall painting fragment featuring a bird and ivy leaves. 🐦‍⬛

Our last weekly #writingprompt of February is live! Using the featured words, write a poem or story. Then, share it with us in the replies or tags! We hope our prompt inspires you to write this week. 🤎 - - - #poetry #writing #creativity #litmag #literature #writersblock #bookshelf #poetrytime

Roman wall painting fragment with Corinthian column, estimated 50 B.C.E. 🏛️

It's here! Our weekly #writingprompt featuring a fresh batch of words to inspire you. 🤎 - - - #poetry #writing #creativity #litmag #literature #writersblock #bookshelf #poetrytime #dailywriting #antiquity #challenge #writingchallenge #fyp

"...Hellas has been plagued indeed." The Chorus speaks here of speak of the tragedies that have befallen Greek men, particularly in reference to the House of Atreus. 🏛️ #classicsbluesky

Roman wall painting fragment with Gorgon mask, estimated to be from 14—68 C.E. On view at the Met Museum in the U.S. 🐍

The latest weekly #writingprompt from us just dropped. 🤎 What can you write that includes the featured words? - - - #poetry #writing #creativity #litmag #literature #writersblock #bookshelf #poetrytime #dailywriting #antiquity #challenge #writingchallenge #fyp

Orestes refers here to Delphi, Greece. Delphi was considered the center of the world by Ancient Greeks, and held a special place in mythology and worship. He speaks to Hermione about his plans to avenge his father against his mother. 🏛️ #classicsbluesky

First century C.E. Roman wall fragment with vines, grapes, and flowers. On view at the Met Museum in the U.S. 🥀

It's our first weekly #writingprompt of the month! For those who might be new here, we share writing prompts every week. Write a short poem (or story!) that uses the featured words. You can share what you create with us or simply keep it for yourself. 🤎 - - - #poetry #writing #creativity #litmag

Orestes' asks Hermione what troubles her as they reunite. Hermione responds that it is "partly [herself], partly [her] husband, partly some god." ☀️ #classicsbluesky

Roman wall painting fragment from the first-century C.E. On view at the Met Museum in the U.S. We personally like how it's shaped like a heart. 🫶

It's our last weekly #writingprompt of January! If you haven't participated yet, then now is your time to shine. 💫 Use the following words to write a short poem (or story!) and share it with us in the replies or tags. We can't wait to read it! 🤎 - - - #poetry #writing #creativity #litmag

Orestes speaks to the Chorus and requests to see Hermione. What do you think of the dynamic between Orestes and Hermione? 🤎 #classicsbluesky

...1! Issue 10 is now available to #read on our website 🔆 A huge thank you to all our contributors, fans, and team members throughout the years - we couldn't have made it to issue 10 without you all 🧡

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"The Three Graces" by Edouard Bisson, c. 1899.

Using the following words, write a short #poem. Then, share it in the replies or tag us in a post! We'd love to read it. 🤎 - - - #poetry #writing #writingprompt #prompt #creativity #writersofinstagram #litmag #literature #writersblock #bookshelf #poetrytime #dailywriting #antiquity

Hermione fears her fate as a woman without power in Ancient Greece. Euripides' play Andromache is a poignant exploration of the complicated roles women played in the domestic landscape. 🏛️ #classicsbluesky

Thrilled to share our issue 10 cover with you all! The answer to yesterday's 'guess who' was a hippocamp, a mythical half-horse-half-fish 🐎 🐟

Let's play guess who - one of the creatures on this lamp is on our 10th issue cover! Can you guess who it is?

So excited to announce that our milestone 10th issue is being released in 10 days. Stay tuned 🧡

"Orpheus and Eurydice" by Jean Raoux, c. 1709.

What can you write that uses the following words? 🤎

Hermione regrets her cruelty against Andromache, naming herself shameless. She speaks to her nurse who questions her distress. 🏺 #classicsbluesky

"Orpheus Leading Eurydice out of the Underworld" by Jean Baptist Camille-Corot, c. 1861.

Our first #writingprompt of 2026 is here!! Use the following words in a story or poem and tag us! We can't wait to read what you create. 🏺

"...to fly from Phthia's land where the pine-wood craft passed between the dusky clouds, first of ships to brave the ocean." Spoken by Hermione as she laments her fear of her husband's retaliation for her cruelty against Andromache. #classicsbluesky

Hi! We're #Aôthen, an independent magazine that publishes twice a year. With 2026 now upon us, we thought we'd (re)introduce ourselves. We publish work on & inspired by the Ancient Mediterranean, including Greece, Rome, Turkey, & Egypt. Read more about us on our website. 🤎

“O fate, what woes you have inflicted on my wretched head.” — Andromache, trans. John Davie.

Happy New Year from all of us at Aôthen! Have a safe, creative, joyous start to the new year. 🤎

We just want to take a brief moment to say thank you for an excellent year. Without you, our dear readers, we wouldn't be us. Seeing all the beautiful writing and art you created this year has been a special experience. Thank you forever. We can't wait to see what we all create together next year. 🤎

"Helen Brought to Paris" by Benjamin West, c. 1776.

It's the last #Aôthen Weekly Writing Prompt of the year!! ✨ We hope we can inspire you one more time before 2025 comes to an end. Use the following words in a poem or story and tag us. 🤎