With the exception of the relatively well-known great Greek philosopher Hypatia, most of us could hardly name another.
But there were important and prolific women philosophers who contributed most to the wonder of ancient Greece. Some of them were:
Areti of Kyrenia - 5th century BC
Areti was a contemporary of Socrates. She taught philosophy at the school of Attica. She was the daughter of Aristippus, the founder of the Cyrenaic School of Philosophy. Even in the time of Vokaki (1313-1375 BC), a thousand years later, she was considered a valuable source of knowledge, author of 40 books and teacher of more than 110 philosophers. Her son Aristippos, also a philosopher, continued the family tradition as head of the Cyrenaic School. He was called "Mitrodidaktos" which means taught by her mother because she was taught philosophy by her mother, which was very rare at that time.
Diotima from Mantineia - Philosopher
Plato wrote that she was honored by Socrates (469-399 BC) as his teacher. Plato taught two women in his school: Lasthenia and Axiothea(350 BC). She was also a priestess in Mantineia, Arcadia. Today, study institutions bear her name.
Periktioni - Physicist philosopher
She was a teacher of Pythagoras (569 - 475 BC) and probably taught in his school. Two of her works that have survived to this day and are attributed to her are "Wisdom" and "Woman Armonia".
Thymista - Physicist philosopher
She was the wife of Leo and a letter writer to Epicurus (371 - 271 BC). She was called "the female Solon" and was known as a philosopher(Solon was the great legislator of Ancient Athens).
Hipparchy of the Cynics - 360 - 280 BC
She was a member of the most popular school of the Cynics. Hipparchy married another Cynic philosopher named Kratis and they chose the lifestyle of the Cynics. Thus, she chose a life without amenities, property, and artificial contract rules, including marriage. The Cynics believed that in order to become citizens of the universe, they had to reject the current social and political order of things.
Lasthinia - Physicist Philosopher
Plato mentions several women who were recognized philosophers in ancient Greece. Lasthinia was one of them.
Theano Thuria
She was an ancient Greek mathematician and astronomer. She came from the Thurians of lower Italy and flourished around the 6th century BC. Theano was the daughter of the physician Vrontinos. She was first a student and then wife of the 30 years older Pythagoras. She taught astronomy and mathematics at Pythagoras' school in Kroton. She oversaw the dissemination of her husband's teaching and work after his death, both in Greece and Egypt, in collaboration with her children Damo, Myia, Arignotis, Mnisarchos and Tilavgis, who in turn took over the administration of the Pythagorean school.
