hetaera
/hɪˈtɪrə/
noun
- In ancient Greece, a highly educated, independent woman who was a companion and entertainer to men, often involved in intellectual and artistic discussions.
- The hetaera was respected for her wit and education, not just her beauty.
- Aspasia, a famous hetaera, was known for her intelligence and influence on political leaders like Pericles.
- In ancient Athens, a hetaera could attend symposia and engage in philosophical debates, unlike most married women.
- A woman who is a skilled and sophisticated companion, often in a social or artistic context, sometimes with connotations of being a courtesan or mistress.
- The novel's protagonist was a modern hetaera, moving through high society with charm and intellect.
- Some historians compare the role of a geisha in Japan to that of a hetaera in ancient Greece.
- She was not merely a socialite but a true hetaera, able to discuss poetry, politics, and music with equal ease.