lato wrote a well known dialogue called Menexenus, in which he claimed that the funeral oration Pericles gave was actually written by Aspasia: yet another suspicion of her involvement in Athenian politics. A wife would not have had such proclamations against her since she was not viewed as threatening. One could conclude this was due to her restricted position of passivity contrary to the more worldly and knowledgeable role of hetairai, especially one as well known as Aspasia was.Although to a modern woman, the role of neither hetairai nor secluded housewife appears attractive, it is tempting for us to idealize the former and to pity the latter. The Athenian wife did not have much room for independence, individuality, or amusement, where as prostitutes were in many cases their own keepers. The hetairai had access to the intellectual life of Athens, which we nowadays treasure, and a popular courtesan who was not a slave had the freedom to be with whomever pleased her. However one can only speculate and it is unfair to attach todays values to ancient affairs, but, but the basic question to be answered would be, which was the preferable role-companion or wife?...
