The three roles of Neaira

Apollodorus tries to present Phano as a woman of easy virtue, similarly to her presumptive mother, nevertheless, he has never called the former hetaera or nopvq. It was only this short-term affair with Epaenetus that he could use against her. It is possible to imagine how a young woman, having been abused by her husband and expelled from home, being in a particular emotional state fell prey to an experienced and crafty man. If Apollodorus wanted to show that such behavior was not typical of an honest woman, he was not sincere. Athenian women took secret lover, and their husbands would catch them “red-handed”, as was the case in a famous speech by Lysias “On the Murder of Eratosthenes” (Lys., I). An exemplary wife of Ischomachus from the treatise “The Oeconomicus” by Xenophon (Xen. Oikon., 7-11), according to Andocides, became the lover of her son-inlaw Callias and bore a son to him (And. Myst., 124-127) Harvey F. D. The Wicked Wife of Ischomachos // Echos du monde classique. Classical Views. 1984. Vol. 28. P. 68-70. -- The orator reveals her name -- Chrysilla -- on account of her objectionable conduct as it was not customary to refer to names of honest Athenian women, as was mentioned above..

In some time Stephanos and Neaira married Phano to Theogenes of Athenes Kirchner J. Prosopographia Attica. Bd. I. S. 437 (6707). -- The marriage to Phano might have taken place both before Theogenes's taking the position of archon (Hamel D. Trying Neaira. P 176-177) and after (Carey C. Commentary. P 122; Kapparis K. A. Apollodoros “Against Neaira”. P 317-318; but before his dokimasia). Kirchner dates his archontia by the middle of IV c. (Ibid.); Develin -- by the beginning of the 60s (Develin R. Athenian Officials 684-321 B. C. Cambridge, 2003. P 290), but it is impossible given the chronology presented in the speech.. Apollodorus characterizes him a “man of good birth, but poor and without experience in affairs” ([Dem.], LIX, 72). Stephanos wormed into his confidence and assisted him financially upon entering into office of archon basileus ([Dem.], LIX, 72) The expenses might have been connected with moving to a residence -- BaoiXeioc; Etoa, with purchasing of all the necessary gowns and accessories for the rituals: Carey C. Commentary. P 122; Kapparis K. A. Apollodoros “Against Neaira”. P 321.. In gratitude, Theogenes made Stephanus his paredros (napeSpoc yevopevoc; -- [Dem.], LIX, 72) Three main archons (Eponymous archon, the Polemarch and the Archon basileus) selected each two assistants, paredros, who, similarly to archons, went through dokimasia and submitted reports (Aristot. Ath. pol., 56, 1; Pollux, VIII, 92).. As a basilinna (pamArvva), the wife of archon basileus, Phano conducted rituals and “offered on the city's behalf the sacrifices”, for example, during Anthesteria (AvGeoxqpia) “was given as bride to Dionysus” in a ritual of the sacred marriage ([Dem.], LIX, 73). Apollodorus quotes an oath of basilinna (opKoc yepatpwv) which reads “I live a holy life and am pure and unstained” (dyiaxeuw Kai eipi KaGapa Kai dyvq... -- [Dem.], LIX, 78) -- which is intended to contrast with impiety, corruption and lewdness of Stephanos and Neaira.

Soon Theogenes was summoned to Areopagus to give explanations about his problems with Phano, which were known to the Council. Perhaps, some members knew about Phano's first marriage or even about the argument between Prastor and his clansmen about the legitimacy of his son by Phano Kapparis K. A. Apollodoros “Against Neaira”. P 346-347; Hamel D. Trying Neaira. P 108-110.. Apollodorus presents it differently: as if he had learnt from areopagites about the origin of his spouse and promised to expel her from home ([Dem.], LIX, 81). The orator alludes to the testimony of Theogenes: “Theogenes of Er- chia deposes that when he was king he married Phano, believing her to be the daughter of Stephanus, and that, when he found he had been deceived (enei Se poGexo e^qnaxqpevoc), he cast the woman away..” ([Dem.], LIX, 84). It should be noted that Theogenes does not specify what the nature of the deceit had been, and Phano is not directly called Neaira's daughter, neither is given the reason for the divorce. Moreover, judging by Apollodorus' words, Areopagus did not deem this problem serious or threatening the well-being of the community. Illegitimate daughter, an alien, who becomes the spouse of archon and performs the duties of basillina, i. e. violating sacred rituals -- is a serious breach guaranteeing the charge of impiety It would have caused a scandal -- anyone could charge Stephanus with impiety or even use eisangelia (дocЯdac; ypacpp). Cm.: Carey C. Commentary. P. 127-128., with Stephanos and Neaira becoming the primary accused. However, Areopagus does not consider this case appropriate for court hearing in Heliaia and only reproaches simple-minded husband punishing him within their power, albeit “in secret and with due regard for appearances” ([Dem.], LIX, 80). It is probable that the real reason lay in the fact that the wife of archon basileus was supposed to be a virgin, who Phano was not Apollodorus has already reminded dikastes about an ancient law stemming from Theseus, according to which basillina should be of Athenian birth, a virgin who had never known another man before her marriage (dotpv Јvai Kai pp Ј-mpЈpЈiypЈvr|v Trepw dvSpi dAAa nap9Јvov yapЈiv -- [Dem.], LIX, 75)..

Undoubtedly, Apollodorus must have distorted and exaggerated a large number of details in line with Athenian court practice and rhetoric. He conceals some facts, mis- presents or omits others, plays on xenophobic moods, makes use of gender prejudices, instead of providing evidence and serious arguments -- appeals to feelings and attempts at dishonoring Stephanos, Neaira and her presumptive daughter Phano. He masterfully inserts gossips and modestly -- obscenity and details of courtesans' sexual life, which should arouse interest of judges. Taking inro consideration expectations and stereotypes of the male audience, he portrays Neaira as a typical hetaera -- corrupt, licentious, prodigal, presumptuous, uncontrollable For details see: Glazebrook A. The Making of a Prostitute: Apollodoros's portrait of Neaira // Are- thusa. Vol. 38. 2005. P. 161-187. -- However, we categorically reject the authors' assumption that Apollo- dorus constructed the image of Neaira as hetaera who she might not have been in reality..

We can't hear justifications and arguments on the part of Stephanos. The plaintiff anticipates them, claiming that the former will state that Phano and boys -- his children by some unknown but legitimate Athenian wife, who must have died or who he must have divorced prior to taking Neaira to his home ([Dem.], LIX, 119). It can be supposed that the defense will present their witnesses, for example, relatives of Stephanos' first wife, who will testify that he was married to a citizen (daxp) and had four children by her; or gennetai and demesmen who can confirm that no disputes concerning the legal status of Stephanos' sons have ever occured Kapparis K. A. Apollodoros “Against Neaira”. P. 40-41; Hamel D. Trying Neaira. P. 61..

We have traced how Neaira throughout her life managed to fulfill the role of a het- aera and concubine. Was Apollodorus able to impose upon a courtesan a third role of all possible female roles in Athens -- that of a legitimate wife? If the accuser had managed to convince the judges that Neaira took this role, it would have been disastrous for her since it meant slavery and the collapse of the entire life for her, Stephanos and Phano.

The outcome of the trial is not known, neither is the fate of protagonists -- Apol- lodorus, Stephanos and Neaira. Researches have pointed out inadequate basis for charges brought by the plaintiff, the lack of evidence for a number of statements Blass F. Die attische Beredsamkeit. Bd. III. 1. S. 539-541; Patteson A. J. Commentary on [Demosthenes] LIX. P. 19; Trevett J. Apollodoros the Son of Pasion. P. 99-102; Patterson C. The Case against Neaira... P. 208; Kapparis K. A. Apollodoros “Against Neaira”. P. 34-41; Hamel D. Trying Neaira. P. 52-54, 60-61, 159-160.. Some scholars believed that Stephanos won the case Schдfer A. D. Demosthenes und seine Zeit. Bd. III. S. 183; Blass F Die attische Beredsamkeit. Bd. III. 1. S. 539; Macurdy G. H. Apollodorus and the Speech against Neaera. P. 270; Patteson A. J. Commentary on [Demosthenes] LIX. P. 11., saving his partner form the imposed role of a wife and corresponding bleak destiny. It is arguable that the court proceeding, even if the result was favourable for Neaira, could not but impacted Stephanos' political ambitions and prospects Macurdy believes that it was Apollodorus' goal (Apollodorus and the Speech against Neaera. P. 271)..

At the same time, it was customary for dikastes to reach the verdict not exercising common sense and logic, not attempting to establish the truth and punish wrong-doers but following their emotions, sympathy and antipathy, taking account of reasons outside the judicial sphere For details, see: Kudryavtseva T. V. Narodnyi sud... S. 249-258.. It was here that Apollodorus, who was adept at manipulating perceptions of basics of polis, family identity and religious values, had a chance -- Neaira might have been defeated. Dikastes were likely to have been impressed by the how Stephanos, Neaira and Phano allegedly mocked Athenian law about citizenship and sacred religious rituals -- it was a hint at asebeia. There were a large number of people of modest income among judges Ibid. P. 166-181., and they must have reacted with indignation listening about young Athenian girls from poor families who would not be able to marry on account of the lack of resources resorting to prostitution, whereas hetaeras laid their hands on Athenian husbands, legitimized their children and shared “in all the rites and ceremonies and honors in the state” ([Dem.], LIX, 113). Let us leave a chance to our heroine: the defense will most probably try to appeal to judges' compassion and pity, and this argument might be plausible For cases when judicial reasons and justice were overshadowed by feelings of pity: Kudryavtseva T. V. Narodnyi sud. S. 251-252.: Neaira was about sixty, and it was cruel to sentence her to sale into slavery after what she had gone through, about which both modern audience and ancient heliasts learnt from Apollodorus' elaborate speech.

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