Xanthippe

Xanthippe

Xanthippe (5th – 4th century BCE) was the wife of the Athenian philosopher Sokrates.

Biography

In 422 BCE, during the Peloponnesian War, she accompanied her husband to Kirrha in Phokis, where he was due to attend a symposium held there. After he failed to return, Xanthippe met the misthios Kassandra, whom she had recognized from the stories Sokrates had told to her about her. Xanthippe requested her aid to find out her husband's whereabouts and situation. Upon his rescue, Xanthippe was extremely grateful to Kassandra. By this time, she had had enough of Phokis and wished to return home to Athens. Sokrates and her bade farewell to Kassandra before departing.

Trivia

• Xanthippe (Ξανθίππη) is an Ancient Greek name meaning "yellow horse", derived from ξανθός (xanthos) "blond" and ἵππος hippos "horse".
• Xanthippe was considerably younger than her husband, with some estimates she was more than 40 years younger. She must have been young enough to give birth to their three children Plato describes in his writings: In the Apology 34d, the sons are described as quite young: two of them "children", the other a "lad"; in Plato's Phaedo 60a, one of them is small enough to be held in his mother's arms. Both dialogues take place when Socrates is supposed to have been 70 years old.

Gallery

• 
  Xanthippe reunited with her husband
• 
  Xanthippe listening her husband telling a story to Kassandra.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
• Echoes of History – Odyssey (mentioned only)