Thargelia (person)

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Thargelia (Greek: Θαργηλία) was a renowned hetaera (professional high-class entertainer/prostitute, something like a courtesan) in ancient Greece.

According to Plutarch, she was born in Ionia and "made her onslaughts upon the most influential men" of her times.^[1] Thargelia was noted for her physical beauty and was endowed with grace of manners as well as clever wits. Plutarch asserts that Thargelia "attached all her consorts to the King of Persia" and sought for the spreading of Persian sympathy in the cities of Greece by means of her lovers, "who were men of the greatest power and influence".^[1] She is said to have lived for a long time in Thessaly, where she successfully propagandized the Persian policy.^[2]

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