Bella Vivante received her PhD in Classics from Stanford University. Her research examines women's roles in ancient Greek drama, poetry, religion, and society, exploring recently how the complex figure of Helen, as goddess and mortal, crystallizes views of women's cultural roles. Feminist, anthropological, religious, and multi-cultural theoretical perspectives shape her research. In particular, from her extended contact with Native American peoples and learning indigenous concepts of women's identities that differ radically from western views, Dr. Vivante has crafted new models for viewing women's roles in the ancient world.