Comment on Hetairai (ἑταίραι - hetairai, singular ἑταίρα - hetaira) by paul on 5/27/2025 (54988) - word-nerds

Parent Post: Hetairai (ἑταίραι - hetairai, singular ἑταίρα - hetaira) · In Reply To

paul · 5/27/2025, 3:35:00 AM · permalink

**How Phryne’s ‘Diddy Parties’ lead her to blasphemy charges**  
  
As Phryne got wealthier and more popular, she was the host ( or at least the main attraction at) these “religious gatherings” called [thiasoi](https://soj.ooo/p/word-nerds/post/b570ad16120e7e9bb3b6be447015015a). Normally these ceremonies were already pretty wild as attendees were said to engage in alcohol fueled, ritualistic, frenzied Dionysian worship. With Phryne at the helm, these became an even more extravagant affair. The sheer excess and hubris of these gatherings sometimes spilled onto the nighttime Athenian streets; morphing from private affairs to full on [Komos](https://soj.ooo/p/word-nerds/post/881cc0f06db847850d8ea1e30907f746), dancing, singing and all around revelry that bordered on the licentious.  
  
![image](https://us-lax-1.linodeobjects.com/sojooo/comments/5450/1748316899956-99bf43336bbb3121.jpeg)
*Louis Chalon - Phryne aux fetes de Venus 1901*
  
  
Impiety was believed to risk divine wrath upon the entire city. Acts deemed impious threatened the traditional customs, social order, and the very stability of the polis. One of her previous lovers was a man named Euthias decided to have her brought up on Blasphemy charges which consisted of these 3 counts

1 debauched meetings(unlawful [thiasoi](https://soj.ooo/p/word-nerds/post/b570ad16120e7e9bb3b6be447015015a))

2 Introducing a new god (She was the model of the Knidosian Aphrodite sculpture, not Aphrodite herself)

3 Having “shameless [komos](https://soj.ooo/p/word-nerds/post/881cc0f06db847850d8ea1e30907f746)"

Many scholars believe that these were just a cover for a personal dispute since Phryne had recently began cavorting with another Athenian sugar daddy known for his love of Hatairai, Hypereides (who, like her first wealthy suitor Praxiteles, was also one of Athens’ 300 richest citizens) a professional rival of Euthias.

![image](https://us-lax-1.linodeobjects.com/sojooo/comments/5450/1748316900049-482931f508945406.jpeg)
*Artist Unknown The Attic orator Hypereides 3rd Century BC*

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