# Hipparchia explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

> Chapter companion for The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

## What happens

Hipparchia, sister of Metrocles and a native of Maronea, is so captivated by the doctrines and character of Crates that she rejects all wealthy suitors and insists on marrying him. Despite Crates' attempts to dissuade her by displaying his poverty, she persists, adopts his dress and habits, and lives publicly as his wife. She famously debates Theodorus the Atheist at a banquet, using a sophism to defend her choice of philosophy over weaving. The chapter also notes Crates' philosophical writings and his death in Boeotia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ethics and Self-Control

Hipparchia's choice of philosophy over wealth and her indifference to social shame illustrate Cynic self-discipline and ethical commitment.

### Wisdom vs. Sophistry

Hipparchia uses a sophism to defend her philosophical life, blurring the line between genuine wisdom and rhetorical trickery.

## Character check-ins

### Hipparchia of Maroneia

The female philosopher who chooses Crates over wealth and suitors, adopts his Cynic lifestyle, and debates Theodorus.

### Metrocles

Brother of Hipparchia, also a follower of the Cynic school.

### Crates of Thebes

The Cynic philosopher whom Hipparchia marries; he tries to dissuade her but ultimately accepts her commitment.

### Theodorus

Surnamed the Atheist; challenged by Hipparchia with a sophism at Lysimachus' banquet.

## Key lines

> What Theodorus could not be called wrong for doing, that same thing Hipparchia ought not to be called wrong for doing. But Theodorus does no wrong when he beats himself, therefore Hipparchia does no wrong when she beats Theodorus.

If it is not wrong for Theodorus to strike himself, then it is not wrong for Hipparchia to strike Theodorus.

_Hipparchia's sophism challenges Theodorus on consistency in moral judgment._

> Who is the woman who has left the shuttle So near the warp?

What woman has abandoned her weaving?

_Theodorus mocks Hipparchia for abandoning traditional women's work._

> I, Theodorus, am that person; but do I appear to you to have come to a wrong decision, if I devote that time to philosophy, which I otherwise should have spent at the loom?

I am that woman, but do you think I made a bad choice by spending my time on philosophy instead of weaving?

_Hipparchia defends her philosophical life as superior to domestic labor._

> 'Tis not one town, nor one poor single house, That is my country; but in every land Each city and each dwelling seems to me, A place for my reception ready made.

My country is not a single town or house; every city and home is a place where I am welcome.

_Crates' verse expresses the Cynic ideal of cosmopolitanism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/hipparchia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters