Aspasia and the Gender Politics of Intellectual History

Anyone with even a passing interest in philosophy or the history of science will recognize names like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. However, most of us encounter the name 'Aspasia of Miletus' much later, despite her being a contemporary of Socrates and potentially having a significant influence on him. One might wonder why her name is so often overlooked in the textbooks we read. This article attempts to explore that curiosity.

Born in Miletus (birthplace of Pre-Socratic philosopher Thales) around 470 BCE, Aspasia likely arrived in Athens around 450 BCE, possibly fleeing political turmoil. As a foreigner, she lacked Athenian citizenship and the rights that came with it. However, her relationship with Pericles granted her access to the city’s elite circles. While their union was not legally recognized, Pericles’ devotion to Aspasia was evident—he separated from his Athenian wife to live with her, an unconventional choice that sparked public scrutiny. Their relationship allowed Aspasia to engage with the most influential thinkers of her time, including Socrates.

The lives of ancient women often remain obscured, as historical records primarily focus on men, with women appearing only in relation to their fathers, husbands, or sons. This erasure is particularly evident in Athenian society (Pericles himself famously remarked that the ideal woman is one who remains unnoticed, neither praised nor criticized). Women’s names were rarely documented, except on epitaphs, and their lives were reduced to a few scattered references in sources like Plutarch (biographer and philosopher) or private speeches. For centuries, Western culture has reinforced rigid expectations for women, confining them to silence, chastity, and domestic life. Against this backdrop, the notion of a woman exerting influence in ancient Greece seems improbable—yet Aspasia defied these conventions.

Aspasia Conversing with Socrates and Alcibiades, painting by Nicolas-Andre Monsiau.

 

As one of the most remarkable women of classical Athens, Aspasia holds a unique place in history. While comedic plays caricatured her as a prostitute and brothel keeper, philosophical texts acknowledged her rhetorical skills and intellectual contributions. Some sources suggest that Aspasia was a hetaira—a high-status courtesan who offered not just companionship but also scholarly and emotional engagement. Unlike Athenian wives, who were largely confined to domestic life, hetairai were often well-educated and financially independent. While some historians view this as evidence of Aspasia’s social standing, others caution that such claims might have been used to discredit her. 

This pattern of undermining women’s intellectual legacy is common throughout history. For instance, in 'Socrates Seeking Alcibiades in the House of Aspasia', the French artist J. L. Gérôme portrays her reclining seductively beside Alcibiades, reinforcing the stereotype of a temptress. Meanwhile, Alcibiades—her supposed object of affection—reaches for Socrates’ hand, symbolizing respect between the 'cerebral' men. Such representations would have contributed to the exclusion of Aspasia from the history of rhetoric tradition, a domain dominated by vocal, public men. 

Her relationship with Pericles made her a target of constant criticism. Comic playwrights accused her of manipulating Athenian politics and even blamed her for inciting wars. Despite varying portrayals of her social standing and moral character, she was known for her deep understanding of philosophy, politics, and rhetoric, which drew the attention of Athens’ most prominent figures. Plato’s writings suggest that Socrates valued her genius, and some scholars believe that the character of Diotima, who teaches Socrates about love in 'Symposium', is Aspasia herself. Though none of Aspasia’s own writings survive, her presence in classical literature indicates that she was more than just a passive observer of Athenian intellectual life. Plato’s suggestion that she may have composed Pericles’ speeches, whether meant to undermine him or not, underscores her perceived scholarly authority. 

Rhetoric was seen as both a powerful tool and a potential threat to reasoned debate. Aspasia’s success in this domain demonstrates her mastery of persuasion and public discourse. One can imagine how transformative such a skill in philosophical discourse would have been for a woman at the time. If she was indeed the teacher of the most prominent military general and philosopher of her time, her legacy would challenge long-standing assumptions about women’s exclusion from social and political discourse.

Aspasia’s story challenges traditional narratives that have long excluded women from historical and philosophical discourse. Her defiance of societal norms made her a controversial figure, yet it also secured her a lasting place in history. Despite the scarcity of records on women in ancient Greece, her presence in philosophical and historical texts stands as a testament to her influence.

Written by Janaky S. and edited by Parvathy Ramachandran @ThinkHer

References

1) https://historyofwomenphilosophers.org/project/directory-of-women-philosophers/aspasia-of-miletus

2)https://www.willbuckingham.com/aspasia/

3)Glenn, C. (1994). sex, lies, and manuscript: Refiguring Aspasia in the History of Rhetoric. College Composition & Communication, 45(2), 180-199.

4)https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/greece/hetairai/aspasia.html