The First Witches (Hardback)

Really fantastic to see a book about witches that focuses on classics - though citation heavy (which is not necessarily a bad thing), this was still digestible and not just a history of witches, but an investigation into what *makes* them witches. Prescott has a wonderful writing style, balanced well between storytelling and academic tone.

NetGalley, Bertie Cunningham

This book was such an interesting read! We rarely encounter a non-fiction solely based on this topic. It has a lot of information that will give the reader more context on famous witches from classic literature.

There were witches from different references - Roman, Greek and many more. This shows diversity of the craft and I really enjoyed the comparison among them. I must say, this is a good reference itself or a guide.

NetGalley, Armina Fonacier

I believe this would be an excellent book for recommended reading for classes on Greek and Roman literature, or one on views of women in that time period.

NetGalley, Sharon Custer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In *The First Witches*, Alexis Prescott embarks on a bold and eloquent reclamation of ancient womanhood, tracing the earliest archetypes of the witch through the classical traditions of Greece and Rome. Far from sensationalism, this work is a meticulously researched and culturally resonant examination of how women—mystics, healers, sibyls, and seers—became entwined with the language of power, fear, and the supernatural.

Prescott's central argument is both timeless and timely: that the image of the "witch" is rooted not in fantasy, but in a long-standing cultural discomfort with female autonomy, intellect, and spiritual authority. Drawing from classical literature, historical sources, mythology, and early philosophical texts, she excavates the legacies of figures such as Medea, Circe, and Hecate, placing them alongside real women accused of—or revered for—possessing esoteric knowledge.

The writing is clear and evocative, rich in historical detail while also accessible to readers outside of classical studies. Prescott does not merely recount stories; she interprets them, interrogating the cultural forces that shaped the portrayal of these women as dangerous, seductive, or subversive. In doing so, she draws a powerful through-line between ancient suspicions and later witch persecutions, revealing a continuity of patriarchal anxiety surrounding female power.

Of particular merit is the author's sensitivity to ambiguity. She resists reducing her subjects to modern labels or flattening their complexity. These women are neither romanticized as feminist icons nor dismissed as mythic curiosities—they are studied as dynamic agents within their own cultural and religious contexts. Their magic, often tied to herbal knowledge, liminality, or prophecy, becomes a site of both empowerment and marginalization.

**Final Verdict**:
*The First Witches* is an incisive and beautifully argued contribution to the history of women, belief, and authority. Alexis Prescott casts new light on ancient narratives and, in doing so, challenges enduring assumptions about gender and spiritual legitimacy. A must-read for scholars of classical history, mythology, gender studies, and all readers intrigued by the origins of the witch as a cultural figure.

NetGalley, Neveen Badr

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Exactly what I have been wanting - the history of witches from the Bible and various areas of mythology. Pieced together in a way that begs to be re-read and annotated a few times over. I desperately need a physical copy of this for that reason.

NetGalley, Erin Diane

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Witchcraft, power, and mythology—this was absolutely my kind of read.

This book hit all the right notes for me: rich in classical history, sharp in its analysis, and deeply engaging. The First Witches explores how figures like Hecate, Circe, and the infamous Thessalian witches evolved from divine or mystical beings into the terrifying, grotesque hag-witch stereotype we’re still haunted by today. Alexis Prescott does a fantastic job showing how these women were transformed through literature and social anxiety into cautionary tales—and how those archetypes still echo in modern pop culture.

I really appreciated how accessible this was. Prescott clearly knows her classics, but the writing never gets bogged down in academic jargon. She balances deep literary analysis with strong storytelling, making it easy to follow even if you’re not an expert in ancient texts.

The sections on Erictho and the Roman hag-witch trope were especially striking—how quickly divine power gets twisted into monstrosity when it threatens the status quo. It’s both fascinating and infuriating to see how enduring these patterns are.

If you’re interested in mythology, the history of witchcraft, or just powerful women being reinterpreted (and often vilified) across centuries, this is a must-read. Thought-provoking, well-researched, and genuinely compelling.

NetGalley, Chelsea Dugan

I think this was a really interesting dive into the early days of witches and witchcraft... Looking forward to seeing more from this author in future on historical topics!

NetGalley, Krystelle Fitzpatrick

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant! A well researched and comprehensive historical representation in a highly readable format that’s brimming with details and overflowing with all manner of witch information and depictions. While this is not a book about Salem, MA, I did grow up in that area and perhaps that’s why I voraciously devour all types of books on witches. This one was refreshingly different and incessantly compelling in an academic and literary way. Fascinating stuff I loved every minute of it!

NetGalley, Books Tea Magic

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It’s probably no shock that I love reading about classical history. And witches. So, when I came across The First Witches by Alexis Prescott, I just knew I had to read it. And let me tell you, it absolutely delivered.

This book takes you through history exploring the evolution of witches, who they are and how they were portrayed in literature. From the Illiad and the Odyssey, through Metamorphoses and Macbeth to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book not only highlights key references but also compares the witches in question to show how socio-political influences shaped their depictions. Then, it dives into how all of this has impacted Western literature, and the Western world in general.

Even though I was familiar with some of the arguments the book presents, the way it lays everything out is both informative and super accessible. It felt like it was organizing my own thoughts, introducing me to more details and making everything click in a whole new way. And all in under 200 pages!

Plus, the footnotes and the references section are extensive and provide with even more resources and books to dig into!

All in all, I adored this book. So much so that I found myself thinking about it while watching several movies recently!

NetGalley, Mona M

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

If, like me, you are interested in the history of witches then you must give this book a try. I love anything witchcraft related and this detailed piece of non-fiction helped me place many of the famous witches from classical literature. This will give a lot more context to all the retellings I am reading

There are references to witches in classical literature including Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”, Vergil’s “Aeneid”, Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and more. As for the witches themselves there are references to Medea, Circe, Hecate, Erichtho, as well as Baba Yaga and so many more.
I enjoyed the comparison of how witches were regarded in classical Greek literature as opposed to classical Roman literature, and the impact they have had on the Western World.
There are even references to witches in modern film.

Because of the richness of information I will probably have to reread it, since I won’t be able to retain all the information on these interesting women’s stories for long. This is why I think this book can be used as a reference guide, something to constantly return to.

Further, I like the presence of foot notes and an extensive sources section in non-fiction, especially anything pertaining to witchcraft because it allows me to look up a lot more information regarding the subject and it shows all the research that went into writing the book.

NetGalley, Andreea Maria Cimpoeru

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The First Witches is a fascinating look through history and classical literature studying the lineage of witches in history. If you're interested in women's history and the history of witches, I highly recommend this book. It was a fascinating look at some familiar and unfamiliar tales.

NetGalley, Katherine McCrea

I have always been fascinated with witches and so when I saw this I knew it would be a fascinating read. It was very well researched without being too heavy on the facts and was such an interesting read.

NetGalley, Kirsty Montgomery

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Great book.
As someone who found later in life that my family has witches in our past and current it always fascinated me.
Especially when none of us knew of the past yet able do things that sadly centuries ago people would been hounded for.
It's sad history that has happened and good find book that reflects this.

NetGalley, Karen Bull