Lais of Corinth ( grc, Λαΐς and Λαΐδα) (
fl. 425 BC) was a famous
hetaira
Hetaira (plural hetairai (), also hetaera (plural hetaerae ), ( grc, ἑταίρα, "companion", pl. , la, hetaera, pl. ) was a type of prostitute in ancient Greece, who served as an artist, entertainer and conversationalist in addition to pro ...
or
courtesan
Courtesan, in modern usage, is a euphemism for a "kept" mistress (lover), mistress or prostitute, particularly one with wealthy, powerful, or influential clients. The term historically referred to a courtier, a person who attended the Royal cour ...
of ancient
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...
, who was probably born in
Corinth
Corinth ( ; el, Κόρινθος, Kórinthos, ) is the successor to an ancient city, and is a former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, which is located in south-central Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been part o ...
. She shared a name with the younger hetaira
Lais of Hyccara
Lais of Hyccara ( grc, Λαΐς and Λαΐδα) (died 340 BC) was a hetaira (courtesan) of Ancient Greece. She was probably born in Hyccara, Sicily (modern Carini) and died in Thessaly. She was a contemporary of another courtesan with the same name ...
; as ancient authors (in their usually indirect accounts) often confused them or did not indicate which one they referred to, the two women became inextricably linked. Lais lived during the
Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) was an ancient Greek war fought between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies for the hegemony of the Greek world. The war remained undecided for a long time until the decisive intervention of th ...
and was said to be the most beautiful woman of her time. Among her clients were the philosopher
Aristippus (two of his alleged writings were about Lais) and the
Olympic
Olympic or Olympics may refer to
Sports
Competitions
* Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896
** Summer Olympic Games
** Winter Olympic Games
* Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece b ...
champion Eubotas of
Cyrene.
Aelian relates a tradition that either she or the other Lais held the nickname "Axine" ("
axe
An axe ( sometimes ax in American English; see spelling differences) is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood, to harvest timber, as a weapon, and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol. The axe has ma ...
head"), for the sharpness of her cruelty.
Anne Robertson referenced Corinth for its one thousand temple prostitutes most notably Lais. The city's reputation “added a new word to the Greek language. Korinthiazesthai (to live like a Corinthian) meant to live a life of wealthy, drunken debauchery.”
See also
*
Lais of Corinth (Hans Holbein the Younger)
''Lais of Corinth'' by Hans Holbein the Younger portrays the famous Lais of Corinth, a courtesan of ancient Greece who charged a high price for her favours. It has been suggested that Holbein is also referring to the Lais who was the lover of A ...
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lais Of Corinth
Hetairai
Ancient Corinthians
Greek female prostitutes
5th-century BC Greek people
5th-century BC Greek women