Lais (Corinth)

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Lais ( Greek Λαίς Laís ) was a Greek courtesan who in v 4th century. Chr. In Corinth worked.

Lais in a representation of the Renaissance : Hans Holbein the Younger , Lais von Korinth , 1526

The reward she asked for her sexual favors was legendary (already 10,000 drachmas in her early days). Not only was she famous for her beauty and prices, but also for her conversation and charm. Some of her lovers were Aristippus of Cyrene and Eubotas of Cyrene . Aristippus is said to have given her rich presents, Eubotas is said to have cunningly averted an attempt at marriage on her part. Free of charge, she is said to have been the lover of the philosopher Diogenes . In old age she received little pay and became addicted to alcohol. Her tomb in Corinth shows a ram being torn apart by a lioness.

The hetaera Lais of Hykkara lived and worked at the same time in the same place. She has been confused with Lais of Corinth in many literary works and could be identical to her.

literature

  • Yvonne Joeres: Laïs 1. In: Peter von Möllendorff , Annette Simonis, Linda Simonis (eds.): Historical figures of antiquity. Reception in literature, art and music (= Der Neue Pauly . Supplements. Volume 8). Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2013, ISBN 978-3-476-02468-8 , Sp. 603-608.
  • Hans Volkmann : Lais 1. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 3, Stuttgart 1969, column 457.
  • Maria Ypsilanti: Lais and Her Mirror. In: Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies. Volume 49, 2006, pp. 193-213 ( online ).

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Pausanias : Travels in Greece, 2, 2, 4
personal data
SURNAME Lais
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Laïs
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Hetaera of ancient Greece
DATE OF BIRTH 5th century BC BC or 4th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 4th century BC Chr.
Place of death Corinth