In ancient Greece, philosophers were revered for their wisdom and intellect. One of the most famous philosophers of all time was Socrates, known for his Socratic method and his contributions to the field of ethics.
But did you know that Socrates was married?
Despite being known for his love of knowledge and truth, Socrates had a wife who was said to be quite the opposite.
In this article, we will explore the life of Socrates and his relationship with his wife, and delve into the customs and traditions of ancient Greek marriage.
Did Socrates Have A Wife
Yes, Socrates did have a wife. In fact, he had two wives over the course of his life. In ancient Greece, it was not uncommon for men to have multiple wives, although only the first wife was considered a legal marriage.
Socrates’ first wife is not well-known, but his second wife is often mentioned in historical texts. She was known for her fiery temper and quarrelsome nature, which made Socrates’ life difficult at times.
Despite this, Socrates chose to marry her because he believed that her argumentative nature would sharpen his philosophical reasoning. He compared himself to a person who wants to learn to ride a horse, saying that a person would learn more if he chose to ride an ill-tempered horse rather than a gentle one.
Socrates’ relationship with his wife was not always easy, and there were times when she would launch verbal attacks on him. However, Socrates seldom talked back to her and would often walk away meekly.
Socrates’ Philosophy And Marriage
Socrates’ philosophy on marriage was not explicitly stated, but his choice to marry a woman with a difficult personality suggests that he believed in the idea of challenging oneself in order to grow intellectually and spiritually. He believed that marriage was a partnership, and that both partners should work together to support each other in their personal growth.
In ancient Greece, marriage was seen as a way of producing heirs and maintaining social status. However, Socrates’ philosophical approach to marriage went beyond these practical concerns. He believed that marriage was an opportunity for personal growth and mutual support.
Socrates’ marriage also highlights the fact that ancient Greek society had different attitudes towards marriage than modern Western society. Polygamy was not uncommon, and women were often seen as property rather than equal partners in a relationship.
Despite these differences, Socrates’ philosophy on marriage can still be relevant today. Marriage can be seen as an opportunity to grow together as individuals, supporting each other through challenges and learning from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Who Was Socrates’ Wife?
Socrates’ second wife’s name was Xanthippe. She was born around 435 B.C. and was about 35 years younger than her husband. Xanthippe came from a family of high status, as evidenced by the fact that her eldest son was named after her father instead of Socrates’. In ancient Athens, it was customary for the eldest son to be named after the more prominent grandfather.
Xanthippe was depicted as a dutiful mother and wife in Plato’s Phaedo and Xenophon’s Memorabilia. However, in Xenophon’s Symposium, she was portrayed as one of the hardest women to agree with. Despite this, it is widely believed that Xanthippe was a quarrelsome and oppressive wife who made Socrates’ life miserable.
Socrates did not marry Xanthippe because he was attracted to her beauty or because she was a dedicated mother, but because of her fiery temper. He believed that if he learned to get along with his difficult wife, he could get along with anybody.
While it is not clear whether Xanthippe provided financial support to Socrates, he complained in Plato’s Apology about having almost no money. It is possible that he depended on the financial support of Xanthippe’s family.
In addition to his marriage to Xanthippe, Socrates had friends who appreciated his presence in their lives and some of them contributed to his family, taking care of their expenses.
The Role Of Women In Ancient Greek Society
In ancient Greek society, women were considered to be second-class citizens. They were not allowed to own property, and their rights were limited. Once married, a woman was considered to be under the full control of her husband. Women were also not considered to be citizens, and they had very few opportunities to express themselves or participate in public life.
However, there were exceptions to this rule. Some women, like Aspasia of Miletus, were able to circumvent these restrictions through their education and social status. Aspasia was a scholar and philosopher who opened a school of philosophy and rhetoric, which served as a center for the exchange of ideas. She was known for her intellect and charisma, and she had enormous influence over such prominent leaders and philosophers as Pericles, Plato, and Socrates.
Plato believed that women could be just as capable as men in certain roles, such as military service. He argued that the difference between men and women was not based on their gender, but rather on the excellence of their souls. If a woman’s aggressive nature made her a courageous combatant, then she could be a member of the group of guardians whose exclusive task was that of weapons.
Despite this recognition of women’s potential, most women in ancient Greece were limited to domestic duties and child-rearing. They were expected to be obedient and submissive to their husbands, and their main role was to produce children and manage the household. Women who did not conform to these expectations were often viewed with suspicion or even contempt.
Marriage Customs And Traditions In Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, marriage was seen as a necessary institution for the continuation of society. Marriage was typically arranged by the parents of the bride and groom, and the groom’s family would often pay a dowry to the bride’s family.
Marriage was also seen as a way to strengthen political and social ties between families. In some cases, marriages were arranged to unite two powerful families or to form alliances between city-states.
In Athens, the legal age for marriage was 18 for men and 14 for women. However, it was not uncommon for men to marry later in life, while women were often married off at a younger age.
The wedding ceremony itself was a simple affair, with the couple exchanging vows and sharing a meal with their families. However, there were also larger celebrations held after the wedding, which could last for several days.
Divorce was allowed in ancient Greece, although it was generally frowned upon. If a couple did decide to divorce, the woman would typically return to her father’s home and would be considered a burden on her family until she remarried.
Socrates’ Relationship With His Wife
Socrates’ relationship with his second wife, Xanthippe, was a topic of much discussion in ancient Greece. Xanthippe was known for her fiery temper and was often portrayed as a quarrelsome and oppressive wife who made Socrates’ life miserable.
Despite this, Socrates chose to marry Xanthippe because he believed that her argumentative nature would sharpen his philosophical reasoning. He saw her as a challenge to his intellect and believed that he could learn more from her than from a gentle and easy-going wife.
Their relationship was not always easy, and Xanthippe would often launch verbal attacks on Socrates. However, Socrates seldom talked back to her and would often walk away meekly. He saw this as an opportunity to practice patience and self-control, which were important virtues in his philosophy.
In some historical texts, Xanthippe is portrayed as a dutiful mother and wife who supported Socrates in his philosophical pursuits. However, in others, she is depicted as one of the hardest women to agree with and a source of many headaches for the philosopher.
Despite the challenges in their relationship, Socrates never sought to divorce Xanthippe or take another wife. He saw marriage as an opportunity to practice virtue and develop his character, even if it meant dealing with a difficult spouse.
The Legacy Of Socrates’ Marriage
The legacy of Socrates’ marriage is a complex one. On one hand, it is clear that his wife’s fiery temper and quarrelsome nature played a significant role in shaping Socrates’ philosophical thinking. He believed that interacting with difficult people, such as his wife, would help him to better understand human nature and develop his philosophical ideas.
On the other hand, there are also indications that Socrates’ marriage was not a happy one. His wife’s constant verbal attacks and oppressive behavior made his life difficult, and there were times when he was forced to simply walk away and sit on the doorstep.
Despite these challenges, however, Socrates never gave up on his pursuit of knowledge and truth. He continued to engage in philosophical discussions with other Athenians, and he never accepted money from people in exchange for his investigations. Instead, he remained committed to the idea that a philosopher should only seek knowledge for its own sake.
In many ways, Socrates’ marriage can be seen as a reflection of his broader philosophy. Just as he believed that interacting with difficult people could help him to better understand human nature, he also believed that pursuing knowledge and truth was a difficult but necessary path. His marriage was just one more challenge that he faced along the way, but it ultimately helped him to develop his ideas and leave a lasting legacy in the world of philosophy.
