Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/94

80 was scarcely superior to that of their female slaves, with whom they lived, shut up in a part of the house appropriated to them; associating little with one another, and scarcely at all with the men, even their nearest relations; seldom appearing in public, but at those religious festivals, in which ancient custom prescribed that the women should bear a part. To this cause must be attributed that comparative superiority through which some of the Grecian courtesans attained extraordinary renown. Carefully instructed in every elegant accomplishment, and, from early years, accustomed to converse with men, even of the highest rank and most approved talents; if they possessed understanding, it became cultivated, and their houses were resorted to, not merely in the low pursuit of pleasure, but often to enjoy, in the most polished society, the charms of female conversation, which, with women of rank and character, was totally forbidden.

Aspasia was a Milesian, the daugliter of Axiochus, for her celebrity has preserved her father's name. With uncommon beauty were joined, in Aspasia, still more uncommon talents; wit, natural eloquence, improved by study, a perfect knowledge of moral philosophy, and great skill in poetry; and, with a mind thus cultivated, she possessed manners so decent, that, in more advanced years, not only Socrates professed to have learned eloquence of her, but the Athenian ladies used to accompany their husbands to her house, for the instruction of her conversation, which was not more brilliant than solid. Pericles, the enlightened ruler of Athens, became her most passionate admirer. He passed his little leisure from public business mostly in company with Aspasia and a few select friends, avoiding that extensive society in which the Athenians in general