In Athens, credited as the birthplace of western democracy, women were not equal to men; in fact, they were not even citizens. Yet women could also exercise liminal power: as wives, they could have an impact in unofficial ways, by raising children, influencing powerful men, and running their households. Another kind of liminal role was played by the hetaira. This kind of woman was certainly non-traditional. She became the professional companion of men, both in socializing and in sex. The hetaira was usually educated. She kept the attention of men by her skills and talents, her conversation, her etiquette, and the like.
Aspasia was the hetaira of Pericles, whose name is given to an entire age of Greek history. As his hetaira, Aspasia enjoyed independence and influence unlike that of any other Greek, male or female. Before meeting Pericles, she had earned her own living as a teacher of rhetoric. Later, Pericles divorced his wife in favor of Aspasia. Their son was granted Athenian citizenship, a sign of the esteem in which his mother was held.
- Some scholars of ancient Greece believe that the sculpture at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/image?lookup=1997.99.0375
depicts Aspasia.
- Read more about Aspasia at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aid%3Daspasia
and at
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0004%3Aid%3Daspasia
These web pages contain links to many people and things associated with Aspasia.
- The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) showed a documentary on the ancient Greeks. At the PBS website, you can read more about Aspasia and about women in Greece in general, and see images of the PBS dramatization.
http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/characters/aspasia_p1.html
