It was not Xanthippe's carrot colored sheath of hair, or her lissome way of walking, like a cat, nor even her devilish gift of mimicry that caused talk. What really set people's tongues wagging were her wild and crazy escapades. For one, she was often seen racing around the country-side on a horse! Granted her father was a renowned riding master, there are certain things that nice girls just don't do!
She is still pining for her first love when her parents betroth her to Socrates, a controversial cult leader, who challenges long-held beliefs and takes orders from a 'Daemon'.
Unfamiliar surroundings and the characters she meets following her marriage bring a mixture of laughter and rage, a new approach to an old affair, and some hitherto undiscovered strengths.
Xanthippe wearies of her husband's ideologies, yet hears them until they become etched on her mind. A turning point in her life comes when she does battle with Zeus himself!
Much has been and continues to be written about Socrates. On the other hand there is little to be found about his wife beyond random comments about her sassy tongue and bad temper.
After twelve years of meticulous research and writing, author Eileen Ebert Smith presents a captivating new view of Xanthippe and her lace in Greek history.
Jill, of Bang Printing, said it all in a note to the author: "Until working on your book, I was never at all interested in Greek history. Your introduction to the many characters involved makes it all come alive like never before."
M. E. Robertson
Palm Springs, CA 1994