Thoughts on the First Chapter of Classical Rhetoric Now

After reading the first chapter of the class textbook, Classical Rhetoric Now, I must say firstly, that I enjoyed the easiness of reading the humor- infused language and history presented. Unlike other course books I have had the displeasure of reading, this one was not (so far) overwhelmingly filled with facts and other information I could not possibly remember in my wildest dreams. Chapter one gave the history of the people behind rhetoric and our current methods of writing, and even where and how our cultures began. One thing that especially struck me was the woman Aspasia. I have never heard of her in my life, and I am now wondering, why? The reading claims that she was the one who inspired Socrates and Pericles and they are the only ones that are ever mentioned, along with Socrates' student Plato, and Plato's student Aristotle- all men!Is she not ever mentioned because she is a woman? I am not sure, but I would like to find out.