Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World
Department
History
Document Type
Book
Files
Description
Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World is the first substantial account of elite Roman concubines and courtesans. Exploring the blurred line between proper matron and wicked prostitute, it illuminates the lives of sexually promiscuous women like Messalina and Clodia, as well as prostitutes with hearts of gold who saved Rome and their lovers in times of crisis. It also offers insights into the multiple functions of erotic imagery and the circumstances in which prostitutes could play prominent roles in Roman public and religious life. Tracing the evolution of social stereotypes and concepts of virtue and vice in ancient Rome, this volume reveals the range of life choices and sexual activity, beyond the traditional binary depiction of wives or prostitutes, that were available to Roman women.
Call number in WMU's library
HQ113 .S76 2016
ISBN
1107148758
Publication Date
7-2016
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
City
New York
Disciplines
Medieval History
Citation for published book
Strong, Anise K. Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World / Anise K. Strong (Western Michigan University). 2016. Print.
Recommended Citation
Strong, Anise K., "Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World" (2016). All Books and Monographs by WMU Authors. 664.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/books/664
Comments
Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World is the first substantial account of elite Roman concubines and courtesans. Exploring the blurred line between proper matron and wicked prostitute, it illuminates the lives of sexually promiscuous women like Messalina and Clodia, as well as prostitutes with hearts of gold who saved Rome and their lovers in times of crisis. It also offers insights into the multiple functions of erotic imagery and the circumstances in which prostitutes could play prominent roles in Roman public and religious life. Tracing the evolution of social stereotypes and concepts of virtue and vice in ancient Rome, this volume reveals the range of life choices and sexual activity, beyond the traditional binary depiction of wives or prostitutes, that were available to Roman women.