The Brothel of Pompeii: Sex, Class, and Gender at the Margins of Roman Society (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781108496872)

In this book, Sarah Levin-Richardson offers the first authoritative examination of Pompeii's purpose-built brothel, the only verifiable brothel from Greco-Roman antiquity. Taking readers on a tour of all of the structure's evidence, including the rarely seen upper floor, she illuminates the subculture housed within its walls. Here, prostitutes could flout the norms of society and proclaim themselves sexual subjects and agents, while servile clients were allowed to act as 'real men'. Prostitutes and clients also exchanged gifts, greetings, jokes, taunts, and praise. Written in a clear, engaging style, and accompanied by an ample illustration program and translations of humorous and haunting graffiti, Levin-Richardson's book will become a new touchstone for those interested in the history of women, slavery, and prostitution in the classical world.

Author: Sarah Levin-Richardson
ISBN-10: 1108496873
ISBN-13: 9781108496872
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 05/23/2019
Pages: 266
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.52lbs
Size: 10.00h x 7.00w x 0.63d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 11/01/2019