Athenian Prostitution

An authoritative study, highly recommended for its clear writing, depth of analysis and density of interest...Cohen brilliantly demonstrates how prostitution infiltrated all aspects of Greek culture. * Times Literary Supplement * Although the cultural aspects of prostitution in ancient Greece have been well covered by others, Cohen attempts to explore its commercial aspects via bold, fresh scholarship. Taking a sensitive topic into a new scholarly direction marks Cohen's work as an important addition to the field of antiquity. Essential. * CHOICE * Although the cultural aspects of prostitution in ancient Greece have been well covered by others, Cohen attempts to explore its commercial aspects via bold, fresh scholarship.... Taking a sensitive topic into a new scholarly direction marks Cohen's work as an important addition to the field of antiquity. Essential. -Choice An important and fascinating study of both male and female prostitution in Athens in all its aspects: economic, legal, social, and ideological. Athenian Prostitution should be read by anyone interested in the ancient economy, Athenian social history, ancient law, and the history of sexuality. * Adriaan Lanni, Harvard Law School * Every new book by Edward E. Cohen is an event and Athenian Prostitution is no exception to the rule. The originality of this work is to offer an unprecedented economic approach to the question of prostitution in fourth-century BCE Athens. Among others, it reveals that citizens, and not slaves only, could be prostitutes, despite the social opprobrium attached to this activity. The book thus exposes an aspect of ancient Athenian society that has been completely neglected so far. Well written, with many colorful and striking passages, from beginning to end the book proves to be a fascinating reading. * Alain Bresson, The University of Chicago * And then there's Athenian Prostitution: The Business of Sex by polymath University of Pennsylvania professor Edward E. Cohen (Oxford University Press, $74), a convincing picture of a trade where women were often the tight-fisted, class-conscious, and successful purveyors of companionship and sexual service. * Joe DiStefano, Philadelphia Inquirer * This book is an excellent introduction to the topic of Athenian prostitution and will inevitably provide much fodder for discussion. It should be read by all students and scholars interested in Greek sex, law, and the economy. * Deborah Kamen, CJ-Online * Cohen's book is an excellent study with a focus on the practical aspects of prostitution and a careful weighing of the available evidence. Anyone with an interest in ancient sex work, and with enough of a background in ancient Greece, will find this book extremely useful. * Stephanie Lynn Budin, American Historical Review *