Prostitution, sexuality, and the law in ancient Rome

the long version

This book is a study of the legal rules affecting the practice of female prostitution in Rome from approximately 200 B.C. to A.D. 250. It examines the formation and precise content of the legal norms developed for prostitution and those engaged in the profession, with close attention to their social context. The main focus of the study is to evaluate the extent to which the legal and political authorities were able to adapt this aspect of the legal system to the needs of contemporary society; in other words, it aims to explore the "fit" between the legal system and the socioeconomic reality. The book also attempts to shed light on important questions concerning marginal groups, marriage, sexual behavior, the family, slavery, and citizen status, especially the status of women. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of classical studies, women's studies, and gender studies.