Phryne gathered a fortune from the gifts her many besotted lovers bestowed on her. She might in fact have been the richest private woman in Greece.
When Alexander the Great pulled down the walls of Thebes in punishment for rebellion, Phryne offered to rebuild them at her own expense. She set just one condition: the Thebans had to agree to place a plaque on the walls where everyone would see it, saying:
Alexander pulled it down, but Phryne the Hetaera got it erect again.
When Alexander the Great pulled down the walls of Thebes in punishment for rebellion, Phryne offered to rebuild them at her own expense. She set just one condition: the Thebans had to agree to place a plaque on the walls where everyone would see it, saying:
Alexander pulled it down, but Phryne the Hetaera got it erect again.