Laϊs of Corinth
World Tales In 364 BC, Lais of Corinth was the most famous prostitute in the ancient world. She was so beautiful that paintings, comedies and even philosophical works were dedicated to her Despite her high fees, all the most popular people wanted to be her lovers. Among them, we must mention Diogenes the Cynic, who you may remember from the distant pill n.54. An anecdote tells that among this multitude of lovers, Lais fell in love with the athlete Eubotas of Cyrene (a rich Libyan city). Eubotas was in Greece to participate in the Olympics and therefore promised Lais that he would take her with him to Cyrene in case of victory. The Olympics were a great success for Eubotas, who achieved two victories. The athlete then "kept" his promise: he had a portrait of Lais made which he took with him to Cyrene. The prostitute (or rather the hetaera, for the more refined palates) became so desperate that she became an alcoholic, sinking her despair into wine until the last of her day...