A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Leæna
LEÆNA, Courtesan of Athens,
Took an active part in the conspiracy of Harmodius and Aristogiton against Hipparchus, son of Pisistratus. She was, on suspicion, arrested and put to the torture by Hippias, brother to the tyrant, but refused to betray her accomplices. Yet, alive to the severity of the torments she endured, she was fearful that her resolution would not hold out long, and in the despair of a generous mind, fearing to commit a base action, she bit through her tongue, and spat it in the face of her tormentor.
As soon as the Athenians recovered their liberty, they erected to her honour the statue of a lion without a tongue.
F. C.