Lais of Corinth

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Lais of Corinth by Hans Holbein the Younger, Kunstmuseum Basel

Lais of Corinth (fl. 425 BC) was a famous hetaira or courtesan of ancient Greece who was probably born in Corinth. A younger hetaira with the same name was Lais of Hyccara. Since ancient authors (in their usually indirect accounts) often confuse them or do not indicate to which one they refer, 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 were the philosopher Aristippus (two of his alleged writings were about Lais) and the Olympic champion Eubotas of Cyrene.

Aelian relates a tradition that either she or the other Lais held the nickname "Axine" (or axehead) for the sharpness of her cruelty.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lais of Corinth (Holbein).
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Charles Peter Mason (1870). "Lais". In Smith, William (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 2. p. 712.[[
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