Anise K. Strong - Böcker

Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World is the first substantial account of elite Roman concubines and courtesans. Exploring the blurred line between proper matron and wicked prostitute, it illuminates the lives of sexually promiscuous women like Messalina and Clodia, as well as prostitutes with hearts of gold who saved Rome and their lovers in times of crisis. It also offers insights into the multiple functions of erotic imagery and the circumstances in which prostitutes could play prominent roles in Roman public and religious life. Tracing the evolution of social stereotypes and concepts of virtue and vice in ancient Rome, this volume reveals the range of life choices and sexual activity, beyond the traditional binary depiction of wives or prostitutes, that were available to Roman women.

Prostitutes and Matrons in the Roman World is the first substantial account of elite Roman concubines and courtesans. Exploring the blurred line between proper matron and wicked prostitute, it illuminates the lives of sexually promiscuous women like Messalina and Clodia, as well as prostitutes with hearts of gold who saved Rome and their lovers in times of crisis. It also offers insights into the multiple functions of erotic imagery and the circumstances in which prostitutes could play prominent roles in Roman public and religious life. Tracing the evolution of social stereotypes and concepts of virtue and vice in ancient Rome, this volume reveals the range of life choices and sexual activity, beyond the traditional binary depiction of wives or prostitutes, that were available to Roman women.

Presenting a wide range of new scholarly approaches, this is the first volume to critique the highly influential television series Xena: Warrior Princess. Based on the online international 2021 conference on Xena: Warrior Princess, this book offers a critical overview of the series' ground-breaking impact and discusses why it has maintained its appeal.Contributors from across the world include perspectives from classical reception studies, queer studies and fan studies to examine the influence of ancient Mediterranean mythology and history in the series and, in turn, how the series shaped the viewer’s understanding of the classical past. Significantly, there are also studies of Xena’s depiction as a barrier-smashing heroine, and an examination of how the series paved the way for portrayals of LGBTQ+ relationships on mainstream television. The legacy of the series is seen in how it has continued to shape modern views about classical antiquity and how it laid the groundwork for subsequent series and films representing the ancient world.