Rhodopis would not easily forgive me, if I allowed such valued guests to depart.

You stranger," he added, turning to the Spartan, "I entreat most heartily to remain; as friend of your friend you will be doubly welcome to my mistress." The two Greeks, following the servant, seated themselves in an arbor, and Aristomachus, after gazing on the scene around him now brilliantly lighted by the moon, said, "Explain to me, Phanes, by what good fortune this Rhodopis, formerly only a slave and courtesan can now live as a queen, and receive her guests in this princely manner ?" [The mistresses (Hetaere) of the Greeks must not be compared with modern women of bad reputation.

The better members of this class represented the intelligence and culture of their sex in Greece, and more especially in the Ionian provinces.

As an instance we need only recall Aspasia and her well-attested relation to Pericles and Socrates.

Our heroine Rhodopis was a celebrated woman.