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In ancient Greece, a sex manual was written by Philaenis of Samos, thought to be a hetaira (courtesan) of the Hellenistic period (3rd-1st century B.C.).
Preserved by a series of fragmentary papyruses, it served as a source of inspiration for the Roman poet Ovid's book, Ars Amatoria, written approximately 3 B.C. It is partially a sex manual and partially a book on the art of love. It provides teaching in three areas of interest: how and where to find women in Rome, how to seduce them and how to prevent others from stealing them!
The first two books, aimed at men, contained sections which covered such topics as not forgetting her birthday, letting her miss you - but not for long, and not asking about her age.
He advises that, if one is accompanying a lady to the races at the Circus Maximus, one should gallantly brush the dust from her gown. If there isn't any dust there, brush it nonetheless. A young man should promise the moon to the object of his affections in letters - even a beggar can be rich in promises!
In the third book, he gives advice to women on being attractive to a man, including making up, but in private, being wary of false lovers and trying young and older lovers.
It seems that much of the advice is applicable to today as well!
In the years immediately following its publication, the Ars Amatoria became a victim of moral outcry. All of Ovid's works were burned by Savonarola in Florence, Italy in 1497; Christopher Marlowe's translation was banned in 1599, and another English translation of the Ars amatoria was seized by U.S. Customs in 1930. Despite all of that, Ars amatoria has remained a topic of study in Latin literature classes around the world.
If you're interested in a one-to-one healing experience, or having me as a travel companion for a weekend get-away, vacation, cruise, or workshop partner, or as a companion for theater, opera, black tie, corporate or dinner events, please email me for information.
Preserved by a series of fragmentary papyruses, it served as a source of inspiration for the Roman poet Ovid's book, Ars Amatoria, written approximately 3 B.C. It is partially a sex manual and partially a book on the art of love. It provides teaching in three areas of interest: how and where to find women in Rome, how to seduce them and how to prevent others from stealing them!
The first two books, aimed at men, contained sections which covered such topics as not forgetting her birthday, letting her miss you - but not for long, and not asking about her age.
In the third book, he gives advice to women on being attractive to a man, including making up, but in private, being wary of false lovers and trying young and older lovers.
It seems that much of the advice is applicable to today as well!
In the years immediately following its publication, the Ars Amatoria became a victim of moral outcry. All of Ovid's works were burned by Savonarola in Florence, Italy in 1497; Christopher Marlowe's translation was banned in 1599, and another English translation of the Ars amatoria was seized by U.S. Customs in 1930. Despite all of that, Ars amatoria has remained a topic of study in Latin literature classes around the world.
If you're interested in a one-to-one healing experience, or having me as a travel companion for a weekend get-away, vacation, cruise, or workshop partner, or as a companion for theater, opera, black tie, corporate or dinner events, please email me for information.
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