Melissa

Greek Pythagorean philosopher in 3rd century BC
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroGreek Pythagorean philosopher in 3rd century BC
PlacesGreece
isPhilosopher Writer
Work fieldLiterature Philosophy
Gender
Female
The details

Biography

Melissa (3rd century BC) was a Pythagorean philosopher. Her name derives from the Greek word melli meaning honey.

Nothing is known about her life. She is known only from a letter written to another woman named Cleareta (or Clearete). The letter is written in a Doric Greek dialect dated to around the 3rd century BC. The letter discusses the need for a wife to be modest and virtuous, and stresses that she should obey her husband. The content has led to the suggestion that it was written pseudonymously by a man. On the other hand, the author of the letter does not suggest that a woman is naturally inferior or weak, or that she needs a man's rule to be virtuous.

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