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The Economy of Prostitution in the Roman World: A Study of Social History and the Brothel
Thomas A. J. McGinn
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In recent years, a number of classical scholars have turned their attention to prostitution in the ancient world. Close examination of the social and legal position of Roman meretrices and Greek hetairai have enriched our understanding of ancient sexual relationships and the status of women in these societies. These studies have focused, however, almost exclusively on the legal and literary evidence.
McGinn approaches the issues from a new direction, by studying the physical venues that existed for the sale of sex, in the context of the Roman economy. Combining textual and material evidence, he provides a detailed study of Roman brothels and other venues of venal sex (from imperial palaces and privates houses to taverns, circuses, and back alleys) focusing on their forms, functions, and urban locations.
The book covers the central period of Roman history, roughly from 200 B.C. to A.D. 250. It will especially interest social and legal historians of the ancient world, and students of gender, sexuality, and the family.
Thomas A. J. McGinn is Associate Professor of Classical Studies at Vanderbilt University.
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Cover
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Title
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Copyright
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Dedication
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Preface
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Contents
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List of Illustrations
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Abbreviations
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One. Urban Renewal
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Design of the Book
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Brothels in History
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Definitions
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Plan of the Book
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Two. Basic Economics
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The Enterprise of Venal Sex
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The Milieu of Prostitution
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Ownership of Brothels
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Operation of Brothels
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Prices
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Recruitment
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Prostitution and the Roman Economy
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Three. Zoning Shame
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Where the Boys Are
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Bad Company
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Christian Topography
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Augustinian Policy
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Four. Honor and Erotic Art
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Pornography as Representation
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Things Seen and Heard
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Women and Children First
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Five. The Forces of Law and Order
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Vice versus Squad
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Constructive Policy
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Official Business
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“Sex Clubs”
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Six. The Local Demographics of Venal Sex
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Brothels per Capita
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Prostitutes per Capita
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Sybaris on the Sarno
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Seven. The Great Pompeian Brothel-Gap
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Eminent Victorians
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Counting Brothels
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Defining Brothel
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Cribs
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Adultery and Brothels
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Eight. The Best of All Possible Brothels
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Out of Pompeii
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The Name of the Rose
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Love Shack
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Nine. The City of Venus
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Sex and the City
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Moral Geography
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Ten. Leaving Las Vegas
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APPENDICES
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One. A Catalog of Possible Brothels at Pompeii
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Two. A Catalog of Possible Cribs at Pompeii
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Three. A Catalog of Possible Prostitutes at Pompeii
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Bibliography
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Index of Sources
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Index of Persons
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Index of Subjects
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Illustrations
Citable Link
Published: 2004
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
- 978-0-472-02582-4 (ebook)
- 978-0-472-11362-0 (hardcover)