Domina Tempora

Public Writing

Long-form essays and reflections from the Domina Tempora archive.

The Gods Drank Barley: Beer, Myth, and Early Civilization

January 2026

These days, it’s common knowledge that beer is among the earliest drinks ever made by humans. We can trace the origins of beer-related objects and activities back to ancient times. Findings from the Sumerian settlement of Godin Tepe in modern-day Iran have corroborated evidence of early beer brewing, suggesting that beer manufacture may have begun […]

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Hera and the Ancient Politics of Marriage: On Marriage, Order, and the Management of Loyalty

Hera, the ancient Greek goddess of marriage and family, frequently exacted quick and brutal retribution on Zeus’ adultery, not on her adulterous husband but rather on his conquests and the offspring they produced. Knowing that the sight of Zeus’ celestial body would instantly destroy Semele, she deceived her into requesting him to show himself in […]