AUTHOR

Olivia Barrett

Olivia holds a BA from University College London and an MA in History from the University of Manchester, England. She specializes in histories of gender, sexuality and religion, with a particular interest in how the beliefs, folklore and mythologies of the past manifest in the present.

Member since: Sep 23, 2021Published posts: 8

Articles by Olivia Barrett

Qin Shi Huangdi: The Man Who Gave His Name to China

The Voodoo Queens of New Orleans

The voodoo queens of New Orleans have been misrepresented and misunderstood for over two centuries. These powerful women became spiritual leaders in their communities despite the Antebellum South’s crushing oppression.

China’s Tang Dynasty: A Cosmopolitan Golden Age

Under the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese Empire was more cosmopolitan than ever before or since; an impressive feat for an imperial dynasty that existed over one thousand years ago.

Here Is How Women Resisted Slavery in the American South

Women’s everyday acts of bravery and their resistance to slavery has been sadly overlooked by historians. This is the story of enslaved women in the American South.

The Secrets of Guatemala’s Atlantis: The Maya Ruins of Samabaj

The submerged Maya ruins of the Samabaj pilgrimage site give us an invaluable glimpse into the beliefs and traditions of an ancient civilization.

Spirits Born out of Blood: The Lwa of the Voodoo Pantheon

Sex in the Ancient City: Why an Assyrian King Built Nude Statues

The nude statues erected by Ashur-bel-kala can give us an insight into ancient Assyrian beliefs about gender, spirituality and sex.

Voodoo: The Revolutionary Roots of the Most Misunderstood Religion