ASPASIA: The Most Popular Woman In Athens

Aspasia is an ancient woman the modern classroom tends to neglect. Despite not being born a Greek (Aspasia was from Miletus in Asia Minor) she is one of the most famously loved women from Ancient Athens. Aspasia was a well known hetaera, renowned for charming the elite men of the city around 430BC, . She is now remembered as being the courtesan who won the heart of Pericles, the most famous general to have lived.

Also I know there's paper in my hair, but I didn't care enough to refilm this ENTIRE VIDEO for a stupid piece of paper. It happens.

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Trust us, the ancient world isn’t as boring as you may think. In this series, we're EXCLUSIVELY focusing on some badass ladies from the ancient world to bring their accomplishments and their stories into light. Despite what the classroom may teach you, the ancient authors gave each and every one of these women the time of day - it's actually the modern scholars who pushed their studies to the side, outcasting women from the educational system. But not today, Satan!

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[bubblesbex]

Came here from an Instagram reel from a professor that talked about how women are erased from history and how Socrates said he was taught by Aspasia

[bubblesbex]

I can’t believe I studied classics at uni and this is the first time I’m hearing of her

[egalitarian]

I actually named my cat after her, 8-9 years ago now! She’s such an incredible figure. I thought I had read somewhere that Socrates considered her one of his teachers, that he learned a lot from her - do you know if you read anything like that? Thanks for covering her so well, I watched this video with my friend to show Aspasia’s history ❤

[marnetteryes]

Deep respect for these women in the ancient world, making their own way with their own skills.

[studyingantiquities]

I remember reading Life of Pericles a few years ago and when I got to those bits my jaw just dropped like omg
My respect for Aspasia 📈📈📈📈
My respect for Pericles 📈📈📈

[alexisb]

I wish we’d learned more about women in history like this in school

[bryanforbes]

I had only heard of Aspasia from Nicolas-André Monsiau's painting - The Debate of Socrates and Aspasia - where she teaches Socrates the art of debate. I don't know how accurate that is, but I now have a much better appreciation of who Aspasia was. Thanks to your enthusiastic presentation.

[christopherflux]

She’s an important character in the Assassins Creed Oydessy game.

[aaaabbxx]

I've just discovered your channel. Thank you so much for this great video! Thank you also for referring to the ancient sources as so many channels don't. New subscriber here! :) Looking forward to your new videos and searching through your past ones.

[pennoises]

It is sad that even greeks learn so little about Aspasia. We learn for a quite extended time Pericles' achievements, but very few about Aspasia. She is referred mostly as "behind a great man, there is always a great woman".

I am very fascinated by historical women like her. Aspasia, Anne Boleyn, Anne Boney etc.

(Low key love to use those names in ttrpgs)

[KellyMacquire]

I didn't know much at all about Aspasia, so THANKYOU! This video is awesome 😍😍 What an awesome chick ✨

[NikephorosAer]

Very well done dear Erica! Aspasia was all what you said and also friend with Pheidias (Φειδίας). They both
worked on Parthenon's sculptures! (as designer of course, not sculpture) A Greek friend, Nikephoros.

[SpaceMarine]

I am here from assassins creed odyseey

[hughingram]

goated, thinking about doing an english presentation on her if i find enough material about her

[starcapture]

Hetaera is like the ottoman and egyptian harem I believe. where women get evacuated and then get into the top if they had some luck.

[charlesb]

Miletus was part of the Persian empire at that time. Zorastorianism was the main religion and philosophy of the Persian empire, which valued women and women were equal to men. These ideas originally came from the Scythians, a matriarchial society.

[darebird]

Aspasia, what a great woman, Pericles was so lucky! Another strong woman with the same bad reputation was empress Theodora wife of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. She helped him a lot especially when nika riots started. Btw, it was forbidden to marry her but he found a way xD I love your videos and as a Greek, im proud that well educated people like you have such a passion for our ancient history. Keep up the good work Erica!

[natlmidnightstar]

Have you read the book Socrates in Love? I read that book earlier in the year and the author theorizes that Aspasia's refusal of him for Pericles turned Socrates into the philosopher we know about. He also mentions that referring to Aspasia as courtesan was a slur against her to get at Pericles. It might be a book you want to check out. I'd be curious to know what you think of it.

[biancadelarosa]

Thank you for this video! I’m studying for my final oral exam in communication theory. My first semester as a graduate student ❤️ you remind me of Hermione Granger from Harry Potter🥹❤️

[pyrix]

"Despite not being born a Greek (Aspasia was from Miletus in Asia Minor)"
She was born Greek, though. Miletus was one of the colonies Greeks had in Anatolia/Asia Minor. Her father was Axiochus.
Very good video, nonetheless.