[Born at Miletus, in Asia Minor. Date of birth and death unknown; but
in the fifth century B.C.]
A woman of great beauty and intellectual power, and the contemporary of
Pericles, who was her lover, and over whom she gained unbounded sway.
Her house was the resort of the greatest and most learned men in Athens,
and Socrates, Plato, and Alcibiades were her frequent guests. She is the
first of her sex whose portrait has been handed down from hoary
antiquity unto the present time. It is related that Pericles learnt
political wisdom from her instruction, and took eloquence from her lips.
Pericles rewarded his instructress by saving her life through his
eloquence and tears, when, like Socrates, Aspasia was arraigned on the
charge of impiety. After the death of Pericles, Aspasia attached herself
to an obscure man of the name of Lysicles, whom she advanced by her
instructions to high office in the Athenian republic.
[From the marble in the Vatican, which is inscribed with her name.
This form of bust is rare for women; but it is thought to have been
chosen purposely, to show the superiority of one who gave counsel to
Pericles and taught, they say, Socrates eloquence. Her great celebrity
is guaranteed by this monument, which is the earliest antique Greek
portrait of a lady.]