James Robson is Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, where his teaching focuses on Greek and Latin language and the literature and social history of ancient Greece. His previous publications include Ctesias’ History of Persia: Tales of the Orient (Routledge, 2010: jointly with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones); Aristophanes: An Introduction (shortlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League’s Runciman Award; Duckworth, 2009) and Humour, Obscenity and Aristophanes (Narr, 2006).His research focuses on the Greek comic playwright, Aristophanes.

Pleasure and desire are tricky, complicated subjects. James Robson should be applauded for his skill in navigating some of the knottiest problems in Athenian social history. His complete control of the scholarship and his eye for the telling detail ensure that the reader is rewarded on every page.

• Series Editors’ Preface; Preface; List of Illustrations; Timeline; Part I Debates; Chapter One: Sexual Unions: Marriage and Domestic Life; Chapter Two: Same-Sex Relationships; Chapter Three: Prostitution; Chapter Four: Sex and the Law: Adultery and Rape; Chapter Five: Beauty, Sexual Attractiveness, Fantasy and Taboo; Part II Documents; Introduction; Illustrations; Further Reading; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

James Robson is Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, where his teaching focuses on Greek and Latin language and the literature and social history of ancient Greece. His previous publications include Ctesias’ History of Persia: Tales of the Orient (Routledge, 2010: jointly with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones); Aristophanes: An Introduction (shortlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League’s Runciman Award; Duckworth, 2009) and Humour, Obscenity and Aristophanes (Narr, 2006).His research focuses on the Greek comic playwright, Aristophanes.

Pleasure and desire are tricky, complicated subjects. James Robson should be applauded for his skill in navigating some of the knottiest problems in Athenian social history. His complete control of the scholarship and his eye for the telling detail ensure that the reader is rewarded on every page.

• Series Editors’ Preface; Preface; List of Illustrations; Timeline; Part I Debates; Chapter One: Sexual Unions: Marriage and Domestic Life; Chapter Two: Same-Sex Relationships; Chapter Three: Prostitution; Chapter Four: Sex and the Law: Adultery and Rape; Chapter Five: Beauty, Sexual Attractiveness, Fantasy and Taboo; Part II Documents; Introduction; Illustrations; Further Reading; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

James Robson is Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, where his teaching focuses on Greek and Latin language and the literature and social history of ancient Greece. His previous publications include Ctesias’ History of Persia: Tales of the Orient (Routledge, 2010: jointly with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones); Aristophanes: An Introduction (shortlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League’s Runciman Award; Duckworth, 2009) and Humour, Obscenity and Aristophanes (Narr, 2006).His research focuses on the Greek comic playwright, Aristophanes.

Pleasure and desire are tricky, complicated subjects. James Robson should be applauded for his skill in navigating some of the knottiest problems in Athenian social history. His complete control of the scholarship and his eye for the telling detail ensure that the reader is rewarded on every page.

• Series Editors’ Preface; Preface; List of Illustrations; Timeline; Part I Debates; Chapter One: Sexual Unions: Marriage and Domestic Life; Chapter Two: Same-Sex Relationships; Chapter Three: Prostitution; Chapter Four: Sex and the Law: Adultery and Rape; Chapter Five: Beauty, Sexual Attractiveness, Fantasy and Taboo; Part II Documents; Introduction; Illustrations; Further Reading; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.