Talk:Xanthe/@comment-38127842-20190213202155/@comment-36277500-20190319193130

Probably out of her deep hatred towards the whole humanity. She despises men in general, because they were the ones who wronged her (as most of Lena's girls), and most of women, especially these whom she considers as rivals.

She tells MC several times that she "trained in beauty and grace" and learned poetry since she was little girl. That means she was sold into brothel as a few years old child... by her own father (mother's opinion didn't count even if she opposed). These times, many poor people used to sell their children (or themselves) into slavery out of poverty. And it wouldn't be so different with Sabina's fate, though the latter girl was patrician, not plebeian... That treason might start Xanthe's hatred towards men.

But men - no matter how much she despises them and treats them like a dirt - are powerful. They are the ones who give her money, jewels and influence. And she is the type using her beauty and sexuality as a weapon. In result, every pretty woman in her sight is a rival who can steal away her prey (men = riches + influence) from her. So she despises women as well.

Her hatred towards Arin may be deliberately fueled by her patron, Rufus Glycia, who probably seems to use Xanthe for his own revenge. Antony is not only master of puppets in this story.