Aspasia

Aspasia, a beautiful and intellectual courtesan (hetaira) of Greece, was born at Miletus, and coming to Athens at the most brilliant period of Attic history set up a school of rhetoric. Her house was frequented by all the greatest men of the day. Socrates, Pericles, and Alcibiades were among her many guests, and for her sake Pericles abandoned his lawful wife, and pleaded her cause before the Areopagites when she was accused of impiety. She is said to have greatly influenced his policy. After his death in 429 B.C. she transferred her affections to Lysicles, a cattle-dealer, and raised him by her advice and interest to a high position in the State.