Hipparchia (fl. 300s bce)

Greek philosopher and wife of Crates. Name variations: Hipparchia the Cynic. Pronunciation: HIP-ark-EE-ah. Born in Maroneia; flourished in the 300s bce; married Crates, a Cynic philosopher (368–288 bce).

Both Hipparchia and her sister Metrocles were born in Maroneia in the 4th century bce. Hipparchia fell in love with the Cynic philosopher Crates (368–288 bce), who was originally a Theban and a pupil of the Athenian philosopher Diogenes. So intent was Hipparchia upon him that she threatened her parents with suicide unless she was allowed to marry him; she refused to have any other man for her husband. Summoned by her parents, Crates told Hipparchia that he would not have her as his wife unless she agreed to follow his teachings. Hipparchia assented, adopted his manner of dress, and accompanied him everywhere, even to those places and activities which were considered indecent for women. Her sister also became a Cynic.

The Cynics believed that one should live "according to nature" by renouncing wealth and living without possessions. They also defied social conventions by having sex in public, a practice attributed to Crates and Hipparchia. Hipparchia also defied convention by accompanying her husband to public dinners. In one famous incident, she attended a banquet with Crates at the house of Lysimachus. There, she confronted the atheist Theodorus with the following argument: If it is not wrong for Theodorus to do something, then it is not wrong if Hipparchia also does it. Therefore, if Theodorus slaps himself and does no wrong then it is also not wrong if Hipparchia slaps Theodorus. Theodorus, who had no answer for this, tried to embarrass Hipparchia by pulling up her cloak, but she refused to be intimidated and stood her ground. When Theodorus asked if she was the woman who had abandoned her weaving, she replied that, indeed, she was, and that she had made better use of her time by devoting herself to education.

sources:

Hicks, R.D., trans. Diogenes Laertius: Lives of Eminent Philosophers. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1965.

suggested reading:

Dudley, D.R. A History of Cynicism. 1938.

Dr. John F. Shean , Visiting Professor, Clarion University of Pennsylvania