They say that behind every great man there's a great woman. I don't know whether or not that's true but behind Socrates, we're told, there were several fascinating women, who form part of his story, and in some cases shape his philosophy.
* Aspasia, who may have taught him rhetoric and perhaps even philosophy
* Diotima of Mantinea, a mysterious priestess mentioned only on Plato's Symposium, who Socrates says he discussed the "Art of Love" with about ten years before the plague of Athens, and whom he portrays using something akin to the Socratic method with him -- some scholars believe she may be Aspasia disguised by Plato with a different name
* Phaenarete, Socrates' mother, who was a "midwife" and matchmaker or rather a sort of wise woman and mentor to younger women, her name aptly means "bringing virtue to light"
* The Pythia, or priestess of Delphic Apollo, who pronounced that no man was wiser than Socrates -- although he may never have met her she shaped his philosophical mission and Socrates was inspired by the sayings of the Delphic cult of Apollo such as "Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess"
* Xanthippe, Socrates (perhaps second) wife, who is believed to have been roughly 30 years his junior and her equestrian name perhaps hints that she came from a wealthy family. She is often portrayed as a shrew but Socrates called her a good wife and mother.
* Theodote, a famous courtesan, with whom Socrates also discussed the Art of Love in Xenophon's Memorabilia
Brilliant piece—thank you for spotlighting Aspasia in all her nuance. It’s easy to romanticize figures like Socrates and Pericles as singular geniuses, but your essay reminds us that their brilliance didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Aspasia’s rhetorical influence, intellectual presence, and political savvy suggest she wasn’t just a companion to greatness—she was greatness, cloaked in a role history wasn’t yet prepared to celebrate.
It’s also a reminder: every overlooked voice might be shaping history in silence.
Comment deleted. It was not meant as condescending. Aspasia has been slandered as a prostitute for centuries and it irks to see that being repeated when the evidence shows that it was only a trope in ancient comedy.
I didn't read it as condescending at all! But I have spoken to you before, so I could perhaps assume the tone (I hope correctly :D) Either way, I think it's always worthwhile to build on ideas and continue the great conversation!
They say that behind every great man there's a great woman. I don't know whether or not that's true but behind Socrates, we're told, there were several fascinating women, who form part of his story, and in some cases shape his philosophy.
* Aspasia, who may have taught him rhetoric and perhaps even philosophy
* Diotima of Mantinea, a mysterious priestess mentioned only on Plato's Symposium, who Socrates says he discussed the "Art of Love" with about ten years before the plague of Athens, and whom he portrays using something akin to the Socratic method with him -- some scholars believe she may be Aspasia disguised by Plato with a different name
* Phaenarete, Socrates' mother, who was a "midwife" and matchmaker or rather a sort of wise woman and mentor to younger women, her name aptly means "bringing virtue to light"
* The Pythia, or priestess of Delphic Apollo, who pronounced that no man was wiser than Socrates -- although he may never have met her she shaped his philosophical mission and Socrates was inspired by the sayings of the Delphic cult of Apollo such as "Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess"
* Xanthippe, Socrates (perhaps second) wife, who is believed to have been roughly 30 years his junior and her equestrian name perhaps hints that she came from a wealthy family. She is often portrayed as a shrew but Socrates called her a good wife and mother.
* Theodote, a famous courtesan, with whom Socrates also discussed the Art of Love in Xenophon's Memorabilia
I really enjoyed this piece, it was very well written and insightful, a delightful read.
Brilliant piece—thank you for spotlighting Aspasia in all her nuance. It’s easy to romanticize figures like Socrates and Pericles as singular geniuses, but your essay reminds us that their brilliance didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Aspasia’s rhetorical influence, intellectual presence, and political savvy suggest she wasn’t just a companion to greatness—she was greatness, cloaked in a role history wasn’t yet prepared to celebrate.
It’s also a reminder: every overlooked voice might be shaping history in silence.
I did not know much about Aspasia, so this article provides a very interesting overview. Do we know what happened to her after Pericles died?
Molto interessante e stimolante
Great reading, very interesting!
We'd be more than happy to run a follow up... a take the opportunity to right the wrong. I'll email you.
Hey, let’s try to be more constructive with our criticism than condescending
Why are you talking down to the author in such a manner? If you tried to impress us, well, it had the opposite effect.
Comment deleted. It was not meant as condescending. Aspasia has been slandered as a prostitute for centuries and it irks to see that being repeated when the evidence shows that it was only a trope in ancient comedy.
I didn't read it as condescending at all! But I have spoken to you before, so I could perhaps assume the tone (I hope correctly :D) Either way, I think it's always worthwhile to build on ideas and continue the great conversation!