Wise Women: 6 Ancient Female Philosophers You Should Know About

Women also shaped the development of philosophy. Although their writings, by and large do not survive, their verbal teaching made a significant impact on their contemporaries, and their voices echo through the ages. So here are six ancient female philosophers you should know about.1. Aspasia surrounded by Greek philosophers

Aspasia of Miletus

The mistress of Pericles, leader of Athens at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War

• Famous for her captivating beauty and mind
• Socrates called her his teacher and relates he learned from her how to construct persuasive speeches
• She plays a verbal role in at least three philosophical dialogues

Sosipatra

She had a successful teaching career along with a content family life.

• Her fame was greater than her husband Eustathius’ and students’, and she was surrounded by male experts, but her fame far outweighed her husband’s.

Macrina the Younger Macrina

Saint Macrina (circa 330-379 CE) was the oldest of ten in an expansive, influential well-educated Christian family in Cappadocia.

• She kept the family together through her sharp mind, devout soul and strong will, ultimately transforming her ancestral estate into a successful community of male and female ascetics.

Clea Clea (most active around 100 CE) was a priestess at Delphi

a highly esteemed political and intellectual role in the ancient world

• She believed in the primary importance of philosophy, and had many opportunities for philosophical conversations with Plutarch, the most famous intellectual of his time.

Hypatia of Alexandria

A Neoplatonic teacher admired for her mathematical and astronomical works

• Her death at the hands of a Christian mob was dramatic
• Dawn LaValle Norman is a Research Fellow at Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry and an associate member of ACU’s Gender and Women’s History Centre
• She writes on the literature of Late Antiquity, with a special interest in gender

Thecla

Influenced many women to pursue a life of philosophy.

• First appears around 1st century CE
• Is a normal middle-class woman who decides to follow Paul after hearing his preaching
• Perishes being thrown to carnivorous seals in the arena
• Confirmed as a teacher in her own right and begins an illustrious career

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