Prisoner of History: Aspasia of Miletus and Her Biographical Tradition

by Madeleine M. Henry

According to legend, Aspasia of Miletus was a courtesan, the teacher of Socrates, and the political adviser of her lover Pericles. Next to Sappho and Cleopatra, she is the best known woman of the ancient Mediterranean. Yet continued uncritical reception of her depiction in Attic comedy and naive acceptance of Plutarch's account of her in his Life of Pericles prevent us from understanding who she was and what her contributions to Greek thought may have been. Madeleine Henry combines traditional philological and historical methods of analysis with feminist critical perspectives, in order to trace the construction of Aspasia's biographical tradition from ancient times to the present. Through her analysis of both literary and political evidence, Henry determines the ways in which Aspasia has become an icon of the sexually attractive and politically influential female, how this construction has prevented her from taking her rightful place as a contributor to the philosophical
enterprise, and how continued belief in this icon has helped sexualize all women's intellectual achievements. This is the first work to study Aspasia's biographical tradition from ancient Greece to the present day.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspasia wasn't just a rhetorician--she was rhetorical.

Because we don't have any of her unmitigated writing, it's hard to know what Aspasia wrote--or didn't write--or who she was--or wasn't. Henry traces her legacy from classical times up through the 20th century as whore, teacher, madam, scholar, wife, philosopher, schemer, matchmaker, feminist, puppet and butt of jokes. As she says in the conclusion "we can say remarkably little about Aspasia of Miletus" (127).

Some of my favorite bits:


But the tradition does speak of Pericles' love for Aspasia, and the question of its nature haunts us still. If, as the tradition suggests, she was highly intelligent, the love of a powerful and wealthy man could have protected and nurtured her, allow her to develop her mind in ways not open to other women who lacked either her wisdom or the materially and emotionally supportive environment provided by such a love" (13).

In aristopanes as a pimp "Once she is defined as the keeper of whores, Aspasia is a woman near the center of government who controls men's access to women and whose displeasure could bring on a war" (26).

In fragments by Aeschines of Sphettos "Pericles is used here as an example of aspasia's skill as teacher. The story of Pericles' loss of composure at her trial may have indicated his political dependence on her as well as his devotion to her" (43) Aeschines also emphasizes her as a rhetoric teacher of Callias' son as well (43). Aeschines is also responsible for the fragment quoted in Cicero and Quintilian where Aspasia gives advice to Xenophon and his wife (Inv. Rhe 1.31.51ff)

"She is a crosser of boundaries, a woman who has had marriage-like relationships, but not marriages, with leaders of the polis and who advises husbands and wives to seek and to be the bet possible spouse" (45).

"The fact that exceptional women, usually prostitutes, are found in man different genres is not insignificant" (61).

From Didyous Chalcenteros "Aspaia the Meilian ....Socrates derived an enjoyment of philosophy from her and PEricles rhetoric" (66).

"Interestingly, however, Aspasia has no known male mentor. She is no one's student and seems to have come intellectually out of nowhere" (130).

READ PLUTARCH's discussion in 24.2-1; 25.1

Renaissance source Promptuarium Iconum by Guillaume Rouille

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is impossible to realise a complete (even partial) portrait of the enigmatic Aspasia simply because the source base is too thin. Henry thoroughly examines what little evidence remains to history in the context of the times, particularly as regards Pericles, the Attic comic writers, and hetaerae in general. She is clear and concise and does not mince the meagreness and capriciousness of the sources.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really eye-opening exploration of Aspasia and the way her image has been taken and continually transformed to fit the eye of the creator.

[Adam Lauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

real woman vs. constructed woman. reputation as tomb. a fascinating read.

[Carlie]

My new step-mom authored this book, so I should probably read it huh.