Dějiny prostituce I. -- Starý orient, Egypt, Izrael, Řecko – Janiš Kamil (2003)

The classic work of the prolific French historian Paul Lacroix (writing under the pseudonym Dufour) offers the reader not so much a panopticon of obscenities as a surprising insight into what the oldest profession conceals under its label. What we call evil often arises from a good thing, and it is also known that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, as exemplified by the case of ancient Greek prostitution: the wise Solon, wishing to protect and educate healthy youth, established public houses for them with the lowest rates. We can see – or not see – this as the first statesman’s attempt to legalize, control, and ultimately make prostitution a source of state revenue. However, the history of prostitution is related to the undeniable right to manage what belongs to a person according to their own discretion. Thus, prostitution becomes a very specific kind of trade that has its inalienable place in human society. The first part discussing the prostitution of ancient nations introduces the cult of priestesses of love, sacred 'hospitable' prostitution, and captivating and humorous biographies of famous Greek concubines.