Leontium

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Leontium [Λεόντιον, "Lioness"] was a renowned Epicurean and courtesan. Her name should not be confused with Leonteus of Lampsacus. She was either the wife or concubine of Metrodorus, but probably not the mother of Metrodorus' children. Her own daughter was Danae.

Leontium was one of the earliest female philosophers known in antiquity. She authored pamphlets criticizing Theophrastus, which Cicero concedes, even as he disapproves of them, as well-written.

What she was like we know not. But we do know that there were two portraits of her known to the historian of ancient art, the elder Pliny. The first is left undescribed, but the other depicted Leontium in "Meditation."

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