Priestess District

The Hetaira of ancient Greece were, by all accounts, courtesans. More than prostitutes, however, these women were the very definition of 'sophistication'. They were educated companions as opposed to objects for sex; Hetaira had influence, paid taxes and were the only females able to attend the symposia and have opinions that were to be respected - unusual in such a male-dominated world. During the Peloponnesian War, one of the most famous Hetaira was Lais of Korinthos, who was regarded as the most beautiful woman in the known world in her day. Her clients included the Olympic champion Eubotas and the philosopher Aristippus, whose philosophies were fittingly concerned with encouraging people to seek pleasure.