The Brothel of Pompeii: Sex, Class, and Gender at the Margins of Roman Society
Cambridge University Press, 5/23/2019
EAN 9781108496872, ISBN10: 1108496873
Hardcover, 266 pages, 25.4 x 17.8 x 1.6 cm
Language: English
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.
Part I
1. Architecture
2. Material finds
3. Graffiti
4. Frescoes
5. Upper floor
Part II
6. Male clients
7. Female prostitutes
8. Male prostitutes.