Greek: literally "female companions." An elite class of prostitutes or courtesans. Hetairai were usually ex-slaves or foreign nationals with a certain level of sophistication as compared with other 'prostitutes.' Hetairai were dancers, musicians and entertainers. Prostitution was not generally frowned upon in ancient Greece, and therefore Hetairai also provided sex …

384 - 322 BCE- Aristotle was one of Plato's students, and remains one of the most important thinkers in Western Civilization to this day. Although Aristotle believed in universal forms, like Plato, Aristotle did not agree with Plato's idea of ideal forms. Aristotle believed that form and matter were inseparable and …

400 BCE

Plato's work entitled The Republic explained Plato's views on Government. The Republic describes an ideal, or utopian, state, and is considered to be one of the first works of utopian literature. The public in Plato's Republic is divided into three groups, a ruling elite of serving philosopher kings …

469 - 399 BCE- One of the most important and renowned Greek Philosophers, Socrates teachings and methods are preserved in Western Civilization to this day. Socrates believed that the goal of education was to improve the individual. His teaching method, known today as 'Socratic Method' involves leading students to understanding through …

A group of Greek teachers and scholars in the fifth century BCE who argued that attempts by humans to understand the universe were futile. Sophists believed that the universe was incomprehensible to the human mind, and that humans should strive to improve their personal characteristics such as strength, stamina, and …

525 - 456 BCE- The first known tragedian. Aeschylus wrote as many as ninety tragedies, or Greek Dramas. Though only seven survive to this day, much is known about them. Aeschylus' tragedies followed a similar format used in other Greek Tragedies. His stories tended to center around a single tragic event …