A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Aspasia, or Milto
ASPASIA, or MILTO,
Mistress of Cyrus the younger, was born about 421 B. C, of free parents, at Phocis, in Ionia. She was brought up virtuously, but in poverty, and being very beautiful, with a profusion of light curling hair, very uncommon in that country, she attracted the notice of one of the satraps of Cyrus, who forced her father to give her to him for the seraglio of this prince. Her modesty, dignity, and grief had such an effect on Cyrus, that he made her his wife in everything but the name, consulting her in the most important affairs, and following her counsels. He changed her name to Aspasia, that being the appellation of the celebrated wit and beauty of Miletus. Aspasia bore her honours with the greatest moderation, and availed herself of the change in her fortunes only to rescue her father from his poverty. When Cyrus was killed, B.C. 401, in the ambitious attempt to dethrone his brother Artaxerxes, Aspasia was taken prisoner and brought before the conqueror. Artaxerxes treated her with the greatest attention, and made her the first among his women, although he could not marry her, as his wife Statira was still living. He ordered her to be clothed in magnificent apparel, and to be sumptuously lodged; but it was long before his attentions or kindness could efface the memory of Cyrus, whom she had tenderly loved She showed the utmost indifference, through her whole life, to her own personal aggrandizement, and would seldom accept any present which she did not need. On one occasion Cyrus had sent her a chain of gold, remarking that "It was worthy the wife of a king;" but she requested him to send it to his mother Parysatis. This so pleased Parysatis, that she sent Aspasia many grand presents and a large sum of gold, all of which Aspasia gave to Cyrus, after praising the generosity of his mother.
"It may be of service to you," said she, "who are my riches and ornament."