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...