Ninos (priestess)

Ninos[lower-alpha 1] was an ancient Athenian[lower-alpha 2] woman who was executed at some point in the classical period. Her case is known through three mentions in speeches by Demosthenes – Against Boeotus I and II, and On the False Embassy – and one in Josephus.[3] The prosecution was apparently brought by a man named Menecles, who would go on to be prosecuted in turn by Ninos' son.[4] The date of the prosecution is uncertain: Against Boeotus I was delivered in 348, which provides a terminus ante quem; Esther Eidinow suggests a date of between 362 and 358 BC.[5] The case was apparently well known in the mid-fourth century, as Demosthenes refers to it in his speeches as if the jury are expected to be familiar with the case.[6]

Two ancient authors mention Ninos: Demosthenes (left) and Josephus (right).

According to Demosthenes, Ninos was a priestess, and was charged with bringing together thiasoi. One scholiast on this passage says that her crime was mocking the Dionysian Mysteries; another says that she made love potions.[7] It is unclear where the scholiast's information about love potions comes from – Eidinow suggests that it is a misinterpretation of Demosthenes' text,[1] while Matthew Dickie says that the comment "does not emerge from anything in the text of Demosthenes" and may have been derived from an Atthidographer or another speech.[4] Whatever its derivation, Derek Collins is skeptical of the scholiast's report, arguing that manufacturing love potions was not a criminal offence.[8] Finally, Josephus lists Ninos as one of five Athenians put to death for asebeia (impiety).[4]