Synopses & Reviews
From courtship and marriage to adultery and prostitution, Sex and Sexuality in Classical Athens takes a broad look at the sex lives and sexual beliefs of ancient Athenians. Chapters such as "same-sex relationships" and "sex and the law" explore both ancient accounts of sexual behaviour and the different ways in which modern scholars have understood them. This book also contains a wide selection of original sources, providing direct access to the ancient evidence. Through engaging with ancient documents and modern debates, readers are encouraged to reach their own conclusions about the scholarly controversies that still rage about this fascinating area of Greek life.
Synopsis
From courtship and marriage to adultery and prostitution, Sex and Sexuality in Classical Athens takes a broad look at the sex lives and sexual beliefs of ancient Athenians.
Synopsis
A broad look at the sex lives and sexual beliefs of ancient AtheniansThis book aims to make accessible the evidence for - and the controversies surrounding - the sexual behaviour and social attitudes of classical Athenians. Key areas such as marriage, same-sex relationships, prostitution, sexual fantasy, rape, adultery and sexual attraction are dealt with in chapters which discuss the original sources, highlight their strengths and weaknesses as evidence, and consider the main scholarly approaches to them. Throughout Part I there are regular cross references to the source material presented in Part II - which includes a wide range of literary, philosophical, archaeological, artistic and legal evidence.Key features: " A concise and lively introduction to this field of study" Major areas of debate are explored and trends in scholarship are reflected" Readers are encouraged to be active cultural historians through the presentation of the sources" Includes Further Reading, Essay Questions, a Glossary of Technical Terms and useful website sources
About the Author
James Robson is Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies at the The Open University.
Table of Contents
Series Editors' Preface
Preface
List of Illustrations
Timeline
Part I Debates
Chapter One: Sexual Unions: Marriage and Domestic Life
Chapter Two: Same-Sex Relationships
Chapter Three: Prostitution
Chapter Four: Sex and the Law: Adultery and Rape
Chapter Five: Beauty, Sexual Attractiveness, Fantasy and Taboo
Part II Documents
Introduction
Illustrations
Further Reading
Glossary
Bibliography
Index