The Brothel of Pompeii

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.