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Courtesans in Athens

Courtesans in Athens. The Trial of Neaira. Lecture Outline. The difference between a prostitute and a hetaera /courtesan Gift and Commodity exchange Life and Times of Neaira Developing Neaira’s defence . Commodity v. Gift exchange. Prostitute – buying direct, immediate result

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Courtesans in Athens

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  1. Courtesans in Athens The Trial of Neaira

  2. Lecture Outline • The difference between a prostitute and a hetaera/courtesan • Gift and Commodity exchange • Life and Times of Neaira • Developing Neaira’s defence

  3. Commodity v. Gift exchange • Prostitute – buying direct, immediate result • Courtesan – gift given in the hope of something in return • Made manifest by context – house v. market place • Visible and invisable

  4. Choices, choices… • Eupolis 99.27 K-A: “They stand virtually naked, lest you be deceived; take a look at everything. Perhaps you are not feeling up to the mark; maybe you have something [on your mind]. The door’s wide open; one obol’s the fee. Pop in! No coyness here, no nonsense, no running away, but without delay the one you want, whichever way you want her. You come out; you tell her where to go; to you she’s nothing.”

  5. “Hetaeras we keep for pleasure, concubines for attending day-by-day to the body and wives for producing heirs, and for standing trusty guard on our household property” 59.122

  6. Against Neaira • Apollodorus as prosecutor • Neaira accused of living as wife of Stephanos – when actually not an Athenian • Emphasis of trial is feud between Apollodorus and Stephanos

  7. Apollodoros’ purpose • “Gentlemen of Athens… I wish to prove this to you clearly, that Neaira is a foreigner and that she lives in marriage with Stephanos, contrary to the laws.” (16)

  8. Life in Nikarete’s Brothel • Purchased by Nikarete as a child c. 390s • Worked alongside other girls • Referred by to Nikarete as daughters • Famous clients – Lysias • Neaira’s visit to Athens

  9. Sold! • 3000 drachmas received by Nikarete • Purchased by two regular customers • Purchased her own freedom for 2000 drachmas – with the help of friends!

  10. Life with Phrynion • “When he brought her back to Athens his behaviour towards her was outrageous and unrestrained… He had sex with her in public whenever he wanted, everywhere, showing off the licence he took with her to anyone watching.” (33)

  11. Life with Stephanos • Meet in Megara, offered her protection to return to Athens – with three children! • What was Stephanos’ treatment towards these children? • Where these children actually Neaira’s?

  12. Stephanos’ motivations • “There were two reasons why he came with her to Athens, so that he would have a beautiful hetaira free of charge, and so that she would earn money for he had no income except whatever he got from being a sycophant” (39)

  13. “[S]he kept working as much as before when she was with him, but she demanded more money from those who wanted to have sex with her, on the pretext that she was now someone’s wife and was living a husband… if he came upon some wealthy, inexperienced foreigner who was a lover of hers, he would lock up this man indoors and exact a lot of money from his” (41)

  14. Phano’s behaviour • Divorced by first husband – incompatible – discovered Phano’s illegitimate origins • First husband refuses to acknowledge child • Acknowledges child on death-bed, but after recovery, refuses to swear an oath

  15. Incident with the Guest • Epainetos court with Phanos • Held to ransom for 3000 drachmas • Apollodorus accuses Stephanos of planning this • Epainetos claims that Phano is a prostitute and the house a brothel

  16. Neaira’s status • “I show you in my speech, and testimony has been given, that Neaira was from the beginning a slave, and she was sold twice, and she worked with her body as a hetaira” (49)

  17. Vicious Attack • “Where did she not work with her body, or where did she not go for her daily wage?... What do you think a woman does who is under the control of others and who follows whoever gives her money? Doesn’t she service in every kind of pleasure those who make use of her?” (108)

  18. Unlawful Marriage? • Apollodorus discusses relationship only briefly • Bases argument upon Stephanos’ treatment of children • Unable to prove that children weren’t born to Stephanos’ legal citizen wife

  19. Defence Case • Conducted by Stephanos • This does not survive • Could equally have been based upon personal accussations

  20. The Outcome • Unknown! • Could have resulted in Neaira’s enslavement and big fine for Stephanos… and one very happy Apollodorus

  21. How would you defend Neaira? How would you defend Neaira against the following accusations? • The three children that returned to Megara with her where her own • Stephanos’ refused to hear testimony from slaves because they knew the parentage of the children • Neaira continued to act as a prostitute and together they abused the law against adultery • Phanos is a prostitute and Stephanos’ house is a brothel

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