The Myth of Aspasia, Woman, Politician, Philosopher, Wh*re

Season 8 // Episode 684

This episode originally aired on March 11, 2025. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Get ad-free episodes and so, so much more, by subscribing to the Oracle Edition at patreon.com/mythsbaby, and learn more about the Memory Collective.

Aspasia was an intelligent, independent and influential woman at the heart of Classical Athenian politics. She was also a sex worker. This is the instagram reel this episode is 'responding' to. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note.

CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing.

Sources: Prisoner of History: Aspasia of Miletus and her Biographical Tradition by Madeleine Mary Henry; "Wise and Devoted or Shrewd and Shameless? The True Face of Aspasia of Miletus" by Agata Ciempiel from Scripta Classica.

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