institution
Hetaerae
hetaerae
also: hetairiai, hetaerák, courtesans
The hetairai ('companions') were educated courtesans of classical Athens who participated in male intellectual life from which citizen-wives were excluded. Madách treats their institution as an unintended consequence of the gynaeceum.
Reading notes
- On Women and Their Vocation §1 hetaerae
The hetairai were educated courtesans of classical Athens who, unlike respectable citizen-wives, moved freely in male intellectual and social circles; Aspasia and Sappho stand in the essay for this class.