Neaira Book Report

What is agency and how does it affect women in history? Agency is defined as the ability of a person to act for him/herself and this can be a tool to examine the power of women in history. In Trying Neaira, it tells the story of a prostitute during the period of the years 400 B.C. to 340 B.C., who has limited agency in her life. To explore why Neaira has limited agency the book gives evidence in three key periods of Neaira’s life. These three periods can be labeled as life as a Prostitute, life as a Hetaira, and Protection under Stephanos. From the analysis of these three periods, you can see the impact of others on Neaira’s life and how she has little choice in what she can do and that is why she lacks agency.
Neaira was possibly left out

Once sold to these people Neaira becomes what is called a Hetaira, a high-class courtesan. Under the ownership of these two men, Neaira receives more luxury and control over her life, but she is still at the beck and call of her owners. Her first taste of freedom of choice is when these two men want to liquidate their assets. While it is a controlled choice between paying 2,000 drachmas her freedom or be sold for cheap to a brothel. Obviously, lead into one choice Neaira seeks to pay out the 2,000 drachma settlement. Neaira, however, could not simply afford that sum, and thus called in favors of former clientele. The biggest help came from Phrynion, who probably paid the majority of the sum. While free from her duties as a sex slave she still owes Phrynion a debt which is paid off as her services as a Hetaira. As a Hetaira, Neaira had unparalleled freedom when compared to the common Athenian woman. The societal norm was to protect the women and hid them from lecherous eyes. The most important aspect was for these Athenian women was the ability to birth citizens. Since Neaira was not a citizen, she was able to attend parties, eat with men and go out in public and Phrynion made sure of that.“Phrynion may indeed have crossed a line when he had sex with Neaira in front of an audience, making a show of her subjection to

Stephanos was a possible sycophant and political figure connected to Kallistratos, who was able to give Neaira the safety and protection to return to Athens. Neaira’s relationship with Stephanos can be described as a Hetaira, but many enemies saw it as one of a married couple. Her children were taken by Stephanos as citizens and even married off to other citizens. Citizenship is an important part of the Athenian culture and is thus an important part of identity The question of citizenship is brought up against Neaira and her children and is why they are brought to trial consistently. “Athenian litigants were required, de facto if not de jure, to speak in court themselves. Women, of course, were represented in court by their kyrioi.” (133) Neaira was unable to defend herself and was at the mercy of the ability of Stephanos to prove her innocence. Stephanos also has had many litigations with Theomnestos, Apollodoros, Phrastor, and Epainetos. Through these litigations ending in arbitration or court, Stephanos gained enemies in the likes of Apollodoros and Theomnestos. “Revenging themselves against Stephanos, according to Theomnestos, was precisely what he and Apollodoros were after in bringing suit against Neaira.” (126) It also turns out that revenge on Stephanos was a perfectly acceptable reason for charges against Neaira. Neaira may not have done anything wrong, but because of her