In Ancient Greece, and later in Rome, some women stood out with their education to such an extent that some taught other women and men. Although few, some ran philosophical schools, such as Arete of Cyrene, while others, such as Hypatia of Alexandria, were among the most important scholars of their time. The women Pythagoreans were also distinct philosophers. Apart from them, we do know the names of some other philosophers, as well as the names of women who, by some accounts, were members of the closed societies of the island of Lesbos and Sparta. Although I will talk primarily about female philosophers, scientists, and poets in this presentation, I will try to answer more general questions: which women could be privileged at all (since education was a privilege) and what their education consisted of. The testimonies and opinions of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and doxographers will be of great importance. Some of these philosophers seem to have enabled women to study together with their fellow citizens. Other philosophers encouraged such educational practices, believing that women, like men, have a developed intellect.

Tamara Plećaš is a Research Associate at the Institute for Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade. Her research areas include Stoic, Ancient Greek, and Hellenistic Philosophy and their receptions. Apart from being a philosopher, she is a thalassophile, and she enjoys reading mythological stories.