Lais of Corinth

Lais of Corinth by Hans Holbein the Younger, Kunstmuseum Basel

Lais of Corinth was a famous hetaera or courtesan of ancient Greece who was probably born in Corinth. Another hetaera (a younger one) with the same name was Lais of Hyccara. Since ancient authors in their -usually indirect- accounts often confuse them or do not indicate which they refer to, the two are inextricably linked. Lais lived during the Peloponnesian War and was said to be the most beautiful woman of the time. Among her clients was philosopher Aristippus (two of his writings were about Lais) and an Olympic champion Eubotas of Cyrene.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Charles Peter Mason (1867). "Lais". In Smith, William. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 2. p. 712.