HIPPARCHIA

Hipparchia (second half of the 5th century - first half of the 4th century) was a Cynic philosopher, sister of Mitrocles and wife of Crates of Thebes, one of the most important representatives of the Cynic school. According to ancient sources, Hipparchia was born in Maroneia, Thrace. Her family came to Athens, where her brother Mitrocles became a student of the Cynic philosopher Crates of Thebes. Hipparchia fell in love with Crates even though he was ugly and developed such a passion for him that she threatened her parents with suicide if they did not let her marry him. Crates, although he tried to prevent her because he was poor, finally married her and called their marriage cynogamy.