As the Temple of Apollo in Didyma lights up for night visits for the first time after extensive work, so does the head of Medusa. With a light shining in her face she looks less than amused and who can blame her. I certainly cannot as I observe the unsympathetic additions that just do not echo this beautiful and sacred ancient site. The concrete pathways, the gravel, the metal fencing, and new ticket booth are eyesores against the elegant beauty of this treasure from the past and that is not the only problem.

In the narratives about Ancient Greece, the dominant roles are played by men - politicians, philosophers, military commanders, and artists. However, there were also some forceful female figures, such as Gorgo the Queen of Sparta, and Diotima of Mantinea. According to Herodotus, Gorgo started to play in the international political arena at the tender age of eight when she stopped her father, King Cleomenes I, from taking the bribe from Aristagoras of Miletus. Diotima, on the other hand, was a prophetess and philosopher who played a significant role in Plato's Symposium, where her suggestions gave the origins of the idea of Platonic love. Occasionally, the role of women in Ancient Greece was less visible but still critical, as can be seen in the case of Aspasia of Miletus, the companion of the famous Athenian statesman, Pericles. In fact, Aspasia's role provides crucial insight to the understanding of the position of women in Ancient Greece. As Madeleine M. Henry stated poignantly, "To ask questions about Aspasia's life is to ask questions about half of humanity."