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The Thinkers

Not all philosophers had big bushy beards.

Wise women: 6 ancient female philosophers you should know about  

I'm still bingeing Lucifer on Netflix, so this is a short one.

When we conjure up ancient philosophers the image that springs to mind might be a bald Socrates discoursing with beautiful young men in the sun, or a scholarly Aristotle lecturing among cool columns.

Well, there are definitely togas (or whatever they called them in Ancient Greece) involved. And beards.

More than two millennia later, intelligent, verbal women still struggle to have their own voices heard. So here are six ancient female philosophers you should know about.

Some of these I'd heard of. Others I hadn't. Hence my saving the link for the blog.

1. Aspasia of Miletus

She was not only remembered for her captivating beauty, but also for her captivating mind. Socrates himself called Aspasia his teacher and relates he learned from her how to construct persuasive speeches. After all, he tells us, she wrote them for Pericles.

For some reason, male philosophers are never remembered for their hotness.

2. Clea

Clea (most active around 100 CE) was a priestess at Delphi — a highly esteemed political and intellectual role in the ancient world. The religious practitioners at the shrine received frequent requests from world leaders for divine advice about political matters. Clea was part of this political-religious system, but she believed in the primary importance of philosophy.

You know that scene in 300 with the Oracle at Delphi? I have reason to believe Snyder took a few liberties with it.

3. Thecla

When she first appears on the scene in the Acts of Paul and Thecla, Thecla (most active around 1st century CE) is leading a normal middle class life, sequestered at home and about to make an advantageous marriage. But leaning out of her balcony, she hears the dynamic preaching of Paul and decides on a radically different path.

The Acts of Paul and Thecla is part of New Testament apocrypha. I'm guessing it wouldn't have done to have a story about a woman (apart from the obvious) in what would become the Bible, so the Council of Nicaea threw it out.

4. Sosipatra

She was surrounded by male experts, one of whom was her husband Eustathius. But according to Eunapius’ biography in his Lives of the Philosophers, her fame was greater than any of theirs, and students far preferred her inspiring teaching.

I'll have to remind myself to look into this one further, as Neoplatonic philosophy is cool.

5. Macrina the Younger

Macrina (circa 330-379 CE) was the oldest of ten in an expansive, influential well-educated Christian family in Cappadocia.

Count this as one I should have known about, but didn't.

6. Hypatia of Alexandria

Most famous for her dramatic death at the hands of a Christian mob, Hypatia (circa 355–415 CE) was a Neoplatonic teacher admired for her mathematical and astronomical works.

This is the one I knew most about, which unfortunately still isn't saying much. Also, there's an asteroid named after her (the trivia floating around in my head comes out at weird times).

In any case, the article is rather light on information, but contains helpful links. Which I'll follow. When I'm done bingeing Lucifer.