Philosopher File: Aspasia

The woman who taught Socrates the art of debate

Along with Diotima, Aspasia was one of the two women philosophers whom Plato recognised as teachers of Socrates. Her biography is subject to debate, but she is still famous for her knowledge of rhetoric and her skill in debate.

Life

Aspasia was born to a high-ranking family in the town of Miletus (where Thales was also born) around 470 BCE. Details of her early life are hazy, and many of the accounts we have are unreliable; but it is likely that some time around 450 BCE she moved to Athens, fleeing political unrest. In Athens, she was classified as a resident alien, and lacked the rights of a citizen.

The Philosopher-Courtesan

It is possible that in Athens Aspasia worked as a hetaira — a high-class female companion to powerful men. The role of the hetaira was not just to provide sex, but also intellectual companionship, conversation and emotional support. This meant that many hetairai were among the most highly educated women in Athens, and some gained considerable wealth and political power. But as with all accounts of women philosophers in history, we would do well to take claims like this with some scepticism: they may be reflections of the truth; but equally, they may be the attempts of later…