Courtesans and Fishcakes: The Consuming Passions of Classical Athens

(Paperback)

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The luxury of the ancient world is legendary. The opulence of Imperial Rome and the splendid wealth of Cleopatra and the Pharoahs are sharply contrasted by the apparent austerity of democratic Athens. Eschewing all material indulgences, what did the inhabitants of this wealthy city-state do with all their money Were they really so spartan in their habits, so sensible and restrained in their outlook This book reveals the Ancient Athenians as supreme hedonists. Their society was driven by an insatiable lust for culinary delights, fine wine and pleasures of the flesh. Indeed, great fortunes were squandered and politicians' careers ruined through ritual drinking at the symposium, or the wooing the highly-coveted prostitutes. Examining overlooked ephemera of this ancient culture - pamphlets, forensic speeches, comic satires, recipes and menus - James Davidson brings an incisive eye to this history of the people who invented Europe, democracy and art.

Reviews

Davidson is the best thing to happen to ancient history writing for decades
Andrew Roberts, Mail on Sunday

There are pleasures and authors who lie dormant for a century or more until a new kind of vividness, a super-freshness descends on them. James Davidson has that skill.
Spectator

If little boys are still being made to learn dead languages, and expected to enjoy them, I hope their Greek master reads Davidsons fascinating and witty book, and tells them the best stories from it. This certainly ought to wake them up at the back of the class.
Sunday Times

Author Bio

James Davidson lectures in ancient history and the classical languages at the University of Warwick. He was previously a Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford.