This page provides an explanation of the what, when, and where of the Athenian Hetaerae, and also clarifies the differences between the Hetaerae and the other forms of prostitution in ancient Greece.

Prostitution has been present in Ancient Athens throughout history.

Prostitution in ancient Athens was permitted and entirely legal, as long as the women involved were not official Athenian citizens. This practice gained even more popularity during the time of Solon, an Athenian statesman and lawmaker of the 6th century BCE, as he is believed to have financially supported numerous brothels filled with prostitutes who lacked Athenian citizenship. Consequently, scholars interpret this as Solon implementing a form of democracy to fulfill men’s 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual desires, as well as an alternative to adultery, which was considered a serious crime in the Archaic and Classical periods of Athens.

Context: The Symposium

In short, the Greek Symposium was a drinking party for men in the elite class of Athens. This event was formally held in the andron, which was the men’s room in a Greek household. Activities at the symposia included drinking games as well as conversations on educated topics such as philosophy, the difference between genders, and love. For entertainment, they would hire Musourganoi (workers of the Muses), which were women highly trained in the performing arts. If a man going to a symposium wanted a companion for the event, he would hire a hetaira.

Wһаt аre Hetаіrаі?

There are no exact dates for the appearance of the hetairai; however, it is believed that hetairai developed as a profession along with the symposia. According to scholars, the Greek word “hetaira” directly translates to “courtesan.” Along with the Musorgoi, the hetairai were the only women allowed in the symposia, acting as companions to the men who paid for their services. At the symposia, the hetaira would engage in elaborate conversations with the men on topics that were only taught to men, such as politics and philosophy. The hetaira’s training in conversation and education would either come from an apprenticeship or a school for hetairai, which developed as the profession became more legitimate. Although they were mostly hired for their company and friendship, the hetaira would be obligated to have 𝓈ℯ𝓍 with the paying man if he so desired.

One important distinction to make is that of the hetaira and the pornai.

On one hand, the pornai were women who occupied the streets and brothels, providing only 𝓈ℯ𝓍 for payment from a large anonymous clientele. The pornai were highly accessible to all citizen men, from the elite to the lower classes. Their sole expectation was to perform 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual intercourse, as they provided their bodies for the man’s 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual pleasure.

On the other hand, the hetairai acted more as mistresses or escorts, primarily paid for their companionship. These women would have long-lasting relationships with their clientele, which would be limited to only a few men at the same time. A hetaira would be expected to reflect the male fantasy of the “ideal lady” from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period. Hetairai were expected to appear delicate and dainty, eating lightly from their fingers and not grossly over-drinking.

Corruble: Firstly, she adores herself attractively and she’s neat and beaming towards all the men, not to the point of laughing out loud easily, as you tend to, but smiling sweetly and attractively. Next, she’s a clever company and never cheats a visitor or an escort, and never throws herself at the men. And if ever she gets a wage for going to dinner, she doesn’t get drunk—for that’s ludicrous and men hate women like that—nor does she vulgarly stuff herself with delicacies, but she picks at [the food] with her fingertips, eating in silence. She doesn’t stuff mouthfuls into both cheeks, and she drinks quietly, not greedily gulping, but taking breaks.

Corinna: Even if she happens to be thirsty, Mother?

Corruble: Especially then, my Corinna. And she never speaks more than necessary, nor makes fun of any of the men present, and she has eyes only for the one who’s hired her. And on account of this, the men love her. And when it’s time to bed down, she wouldn’t do anything loose or sloppy, but from everything she hunts this one thing, how she might lead him on and make that man her lover. And these are the things all men praise in her.

(Lucian, Dialogue of the Courtesans, 6.294) (Translated by Leslie Kurke 1997)

Depictions of Hetaerae on Pottery Paintings and Ancient Writings
75% of our visual evidence for the existence of hetaerae comes from pottery paintings that would have been displayed on kylix (common ancient Greek drinking cup for wine). The inclusion of hetaerae in symposiastic scenes only appears in the middle of the 6th century BCE, and during the last quarter of this century (525-500 BCE), the presence of women in scenes depicting symposia becomes very much evident.

The presentation of their appearance comes in variety, either fully nude or completely dressed in a simple cloth, engaging in conversation or in 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual acts with one or multiple men. Their hair is usually tied into a bun or a ponytail, with a band (or ribbon) that circles the head on top of the hair.

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Modern Misconceptions

If you Google search “what is a hetaira,” this is the very first definition within the search results:

Although it is okay to simplify the definition to “a courtesan or mistress,” I find the comparison to the modern Japanese geisha to be very incorrect.

Mineko Iwasaki, the most famous modern geisha, explains in her autobiography the intricate details of the profession. Beginning at the age of five, future geisha are trained for years in the Japanese traditional arts. They are primarily hired professional entertainers in the latter, but are also considered courtesans as they develop professional relationships with their clients.

Hetairai should not be compared to the modern geisha because the hetaira was obligated to have 𝓈ℯ𝓍 with his client if he desired so.

Geishas do not have 𝓈ℯ𝓍 with their paying clients unless they happen to fall in love and both parties consent. The 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual intercourse would be personal, and so it would not occur in the geisha’s professional setting of a tea house or party room.

This is a common misconception that I wanted to point out because the geisha is a traditional and historical profession which is highly regarded for the mastery of ancient Japanese arts, and there are no 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual implications involved whatsoever.

Famous Hetairai

Neara

Conclusion

The hetairai cannot be simply categorized as prostitutes, unlike the pornai, as they do not directly sell their bodies. They are trained to embody the behaviors, characteristics, and fantasies of the male Athenian elites, such is their clientele. Therefore, as evidenced through the direct translation of the Greek word, hetairai are courtesans who were mostly hired as companions for men at the symposia. These women were a strange type of courtesan altogether since they were not primarily hired for 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual pleasure, yet were inclined to do so if the client demanded. Many other types of courtesans from different cultures, such as the Japanese geishas, were only paid for their companionship and high s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s in the musical and performing arts. This could be interpreted as the men’s 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual and romantic fantasies coming to life, since there were many restrictions on Athenian marriage, and the role of the Athenian wife to the Athenian husband must not have been 𝓈ℯ𝓍ually and intellectually stimulating, as they hired these hetairai to essentially be the “perfect” woman: 𝓈ℯ𝓍ually submissive and highly intellectual.