Aspasia

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Aspasia

Flourished Mid Fifth Century b.c.e.

Hetaira

Source

Companion . Milesian born, Aspasia was a well-known and influential hetaira of the Classical Period. She lived with Pericles from 445 b.c.e., after he divorced his wife, until his death in 429 b.c.e. Plato credits her with teaching Pericles the art of rhetoric and records that Socrates enjoyed conversing with her. Her influence over Pericles made her the object of jokes in comedies. After Pericles’ death, she became the companion of another politician, Lysicles.

Source

Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth, eds., The Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1996).

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