Aspasia of Miletus




In every age, you will find a woman that captures the imagination of an entire generation.  And then there are the exceptionally rare ones that capture the imagination of history.  Names like Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Mary Magdalene, Marie Antoinette, and Joan of Arc have archetypal influence even until this very day.  I believe that Aspasia, the lady of Classical Athens, is one of these remarkable women.

Bold, beautiful, intelligent and educated, Aspasia sought equality within a male-dominated society that allowed women few rights and little opportunity to take part in public life.  Aspasia became the consort of Pericles, leader of democratic Athens, the most prominent and influential Greek statesman, orator and general.  They were a power couple that lived in the Golden Age of Athens, between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars.  Her life was lived in extremes, her intelligence and power both admired and scorned.  Praised by her admirers and blamed for unpopular events by her enemies, she remained politically progressive until the very end.

Aspasia’s narrative is more riveting than a best seller, yet it was her ability to live her philosophy that garners our admiration. She came from Miletus, the city known for knowledge and cultural diversity.  Long before she conversed with philosophers, poets and politicians, she was in the classroom, immersed in study.  In those formative years, Aspasia was preparing to take centre stage.  Her life is a testament to the power of education.
