Prostitution in the eastern Mediterranean world : the economics of sex in the late antique and medieval Middle East / Gary Leiser.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Leiser, Gary, 1946- author.

Series:

Library of Middle East history.

[Library of Middle East History]

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Prostitution--Middle East--History--To 1500.

Prostitution.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 332 pages) : illustrations, maps.

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

[London, England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.

Place of Publication:

London, England : I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd., 2019.

Summary:

This groundbreaking book challenges many stereotypical views about the historical practice of prostitution. Based on twenty years' research, and organized by region, it charts the history of sex for sale in those chief centres of the late antique and medieval East, whether in Arabia, Egypt, Syria or Anatolia. Ranging extensively from 300 CE to 1500 (or from the reign of Theodosius to the early Ottoman period), Gary Leiser meticulously examines the available sources and argues for a reappraisal of the so-called oldest profession. He suggests that it was never prohibited; that there was remarkable continuity between Christian and Muslim rule; and that prostitution was institutionalized as a 'service industry' at various times. Indicating that sex work in the East had its own distinctive character and meanings (for example, that it was taxed from the time of Caligula onwards and that prostitutes were expected to retain tax receipts), the book brings continually fresh insights to a controversial subject.

Contents:

Dedication

List of Illustrations

Preface

1. Public Women in the Eastern Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity

2. Public Women in Medieval Arabia

3. Public Women in Medieval Egypt

4. Public Women in Medieval Syria

5. Public Women in Medieval Anatolia

Excursus: Prostitution as an Incentive to Long-Distance Trade

Summary

Notes

Bibliography.

Notes:

Series from publisher's webpage.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-326) and index.

ISBN:

9781350987623

135098762X

9781786720863

1786720868

OCLC:

1128172725