Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society The Celebrity Sex Worker of Ancient Greece
Mar 19, 2024
Explore the scandalous life of ancient Greek sex worker Phrynne, her dramatic court case with exposed breasts, and the societal fascination with her. Learn about the controversial Aphrodite of Kannos statue and the clever defense tactics of women like Frini in classical Athens. Discover the influence of sex workers in ancient societies and their enduring legacy throughout history.
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Legend Built From Anecdotes
- Phryne became a cultural legend because anecdotes amplified her beauty, wit, and wealth beyond the historical record.
- Her public persona filled a social gap about how to interpret women who lived outside domestic norms.
Writers Ventriloquized Her Voice
- Melissa Funke traced Phryne's literary presence from fragmentary contemporary references to later Hellenistic and Roman enlargements.
- Writers ventriloquized Hetairai voices, turning sparse facts into bold fictionalized personalities.
Anecdote Genre Made Her Archetype
- Hellenistic scholars developed a genre of short anecdotes about famous Hetairai that standardized their personalities.
- These anecdotes made Phryne the paradigmatic courtesan whose lines could be reused across stories.