/guid/9202a8c04000641f800000000013e4ec rename

Xanthippe (Greek: Ξανθίππη) was the wife of Socrates and mother of their three sons Lamprocles,...

Xanthippe (Greek: Ξανθίππη) was the wife of Socrates and mother of their three sons Lamprocles, Sophroniscus, and Menexenus. There are far more stories about her than there are facts. She was likely much younger than the philosopher, perhaps by as much as forty years. Xanthippe means "blonde horse", from the Greek ξανθός "xanthos" (blonde) and ‘ιππος "hippos" (horse). Hers is one of many Greek personal names with a horse theme (cf. Philippos: "horse lover"; Hippocrates: "horse tamer" etc). The "hippos" in an ancient Greek name often suggested aristocratic heritage. One additional reason for thinking Xanthippe's family was socially prominent was that her eldest son was named Lamprocles instead of "Sophroniscus" (after Socrates' father). The ancient Greek custom was to name one's first child after the more illustrious of the two grandfathers. Xanthippe's father is believed to have been named Lamprocles. Since he was even more well-established in Athenian aristocracy than was Socrates' father, his name would have been the preferred choice for the name of the first-born son. Plato's portrayal of Xanthippe (in his Phaedo) suggests that she was nothing less than a devoted wife and mother