improper women - sex workers in athens Flashcards
general information, rare freedoms, porne, hetaira, symposium
was sex work legal
entirely
where would sex workers work
in brothels, managed by individuals or the state
was there stigma around visiting a sex worker
for men - no
it was seen as an ordinary part of Athenian life and wasn’t considered adultery
for women - yes
having sex with a sex worker or anyone other than your husband was a risk of illegitimate heirs meaning they couldn’t carry on the family legacy
why were A men allowed to visit sex workers
- wasn’t adultery
- prostitutes weren’t Athenian citizens
- won’t interfere with heirs
what freedoms did sex workers have that the kyria didn’t
- allowed to run a business
- buy and sell land
- not under control of a kyrios
- could make money for themselves, by themselves
- can have sexual relationships with multiple men
what were the two different types of sex workers
porne - low class (enslaved/not free)
hetaira - high class (free)
facts about porne
- low class
- slaves/not free
- worked in brothels
- slaves owned by brothel keeper
- got paid for sexual acts
- don’t get to keep the money they earned
- hired just for sex
- believed to crave lust to gain money (lured men)
facts about hetaira
- high class
- free
- advanced academic artistic education
- worked for themselves
- got paid for sexual acts
- can choose clients
- come from a well off family
- can manage own money (Rhodoni’s monument at Delphi)
- hired for many talents (sex, witty conversation, politics, art, philosophy, singing, dancing)
what is a symposium
overall - a drinking party
but they were also opportunities to bond with other men for:
- business reasons
- political reasons
- family reasons
- enjoyment
what opportunities did symposiums bring men and how
- business reasons
–> forging relationships, making deals - political reasons
–> boost reputation, making deals - family reasons
–> arrange marriage matches - enjoyment
–> can drink, dine and be merry
who was not invited to a symposium
the women of the household
but they did still have to decorate the room beforehand
what entertainment was there in a symposium
- fine food and wine
- drinking games
- intellectual discussions (philosophy, politics, literature)
- professional performances (music, dancing, acrobatics)
- a hetaira (sing, dance, play music, chat, flirt)
where did symposia take place
in the andron
