Phryne: A Life in Fragments

(Hardback)

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How did Mnesarete, a girl from Boeotia, end up as Phryne and how did she end up as an enduring symbol of ancient Greek culture This book pieces together the story of the famous fourth-century Athenian sex worker, Phryne. It considers her early life and her development into a cultural figure, whose influence and legacy lasted from her own lifetime to the present day. It also investigates her infamous nude courtroom appearance, her influence on one of the most famous statues from antiquity, and her connection to celebrated figures from Alexander the Great to the artist Apelles. It also considers her appearances in modern culture, ranging from Belle Epoque cabaret shows to 1950s Italian film, offering an account of how the real life of a woman turned into the biography of a dream girl. What remains of her story is nothing but fragments, short anecdotes passed on and on again in literary compendia, that tell the story of a witty and beautiful woman who amassed great wealth, associated with some of the most well-known historical figures of ancient Greece, and who herself held great influence. They create an image of a life that is glamorous and titillating, yet they also hint at the tenuous position of a foreign-born sex worker in a society structured to privilege male citizens above all others.

Author Bio

Melissa Funke is Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Winnipeg, USA.