Phaenarete was the mother of the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. She was born around 500 B.C. and was the wife of Sophroniscus. After Sophoriniscus, she married another man named Chaeredemus. She bore him a son named Patrocles, who was Socrates’ half-brother.

Phaenarete was what the ancient Greeks called a “maia,” which, when translated loosely, means “midwife.” This indicates that Phaenarete came from a family of good status, since only women from such families were allowed to do the work of a midwife.