The Peloponnese is the southernmost peninsula of mainland Greece, a mountainous region linked to the rest of the country only by a narrow strip of land. It is one of the most important regions for lovers of ancient Greece, home to the sacred and cultural sites of Epidaurus, Corinth, Olympia, Mycenae, Sparta, and more. Beyond its classical heritage, there are also many exquisite Byzantine centers to explore, such as Monemvasia and Mystras, not to mention its outstanding natural beauty and awe-inspiring horizons.

Were there really nine muses in ancient Greece? Where were they worshipped? And what do their stories tell us about artistic inspiration and the Greek landscape? In this episode, meet the Muses of ancient Greece and learn more about their special relationship with music, winged messengers, springs, and the Greek gods of prophecy and sleep.

In this episode, we’ll be meeting the Greek gods of Night, Sleep, and Dreams — Nyx, Hypnos, the Oneiroi, and more. We’ll explore dream rituals in ancient Greece, in particular dream incubation as a means for healing and divination. We’ll learn about how the Greeks understood their dreams, and how they are connected to the Underworld. And we’ll meet one of my favorite flowers of the Greek landscape, the often controversial — and even illegal in some countries — Poppy.