Metaneira
Ancient Greek hetaira
About Metaneira
Metaneira was a hetaera.
Metaneira was a hetaira active in Classical Corinth and Athens. As a child, she was purchased by Nikarete of Corinth. Details about her life are mostly known from Apollodorus of Acharnae's speech Against Neaira. In the 380s she was a lover of the orator Lysias, who arranged for her to be initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries. Athenaeus claims that she was also the lover of the orator Isocrates, but Konstantinos Kapparis doubts this as his source is a probably-fictitious letter attributed to Lysias and no other ancient source supports this connection.
A fragment from one of Hypereides' speeches suggests that she was known for her beauty; Athenaeus quotes anecdotes reported by Hegesander of Delphi which showcase her wit.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Metaneira?
ancient Greek hetaira
What was Metaneira's occupation?
Metaneira was a hetaera.
What nationality was Metaneira?
Metaneira's recorded nationality: Ancient Corinth.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Metaneira (hetaera)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Metaneira. https://biography.guide/metaneira/
MLA: "Metaneira." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/metaneira/.
Chicago: "Metaneira." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/metaneira/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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