Anthology of carnal love: women of the oldest profession of different times and peoples

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Since ancient times, there have been women in society who provide special services for money. Time and customs sometimes turned them into outcasts, then they elevated them to the elite of society. In our review, there are 10 representatives of the oldest profession - from temple priestesses to modern Muslim women who marry overnight.

1. Ying-chi

Chinese Ying-chi are perhaps the first prostitutes in history to be brought under control by the authorities. According to historians, Emperor Wu hired women for the sole purpose of accompanying his armies on campaigns and entertaining soldiers. Ying-chi literally means "harlot camp". True, if the opinion that these are far from the first moths taken under state control in China. Emperor Yue created the first brothels, where he recruited the widows of fallen soldiers.

2. Temple priestesses of love

The role of temple priestesses of love in ancient Greco-Roman society has been the subject of much debate. At the same time, the popularity of the priestesses themselves in society is beyond doubt. Scientists were divided. Some believe that the priestesses were simply slaves, whose services were sold by the temples to make money. Others believe that intercourse with priestesses was a special cult, worship of the deity of the temple.

3. Devadasi

Devadasi are priestesses in the temples where the Hindu goddess of fertility Yelamma was worshiped. When girls reached puberty, their parents auctioned off their virginity. Then there was a dedication to the goddess, and until the end of their days, the clergy gave the girls to the one that paid more for them. The parents thought it was a pretty good deal. This custom has been an integral part of Yelamma's religion for centuries. Even though the practice was outlawed in India in 1988, it continues today. Moreover, devadasis are irrevocable, they have no way back. Even if women decide to give up this lifestyle, they will never get married.

4. Women for the comfort of a soldier

There are many things in World War II that people prefer to remain silent about. One of these moments is the so-called "comfort women". Beginning in 1932, the Japanese military began recruiting women, mostly of Korean descent, to work in "comfort centers." The women were promised jobs, but they were not told that it would be work in brothels for Japanese soldiers. As a result, about 200,000 women fell into real sexual slavery. According to statistics, no more than 30% of unfortunate people could survive this. Even 11-year-old girls were forced to serve 50 to 100 different men every day, and if they refused, they were beaten.

5. Auletrides

Auletrides is a special class of Greek representatives of the ancient profession who held a special position in society. They were not only intimate gurus, but also graceful dancers and skillful flutists. Some of them knew how to juggle, swordsmanship and had acrobatics skills. Many auletrides gave public appearances in the streets during religious ceremonies and festivals. In a private setting, Greek artisans provided services of an intimate nature.

6. Ganica

Ganika is the Indian version of the Japanese geisha. These women occupied a fairly high position in the social hierarchy. It was believed that a night with a ganic would bring good luck, happiness and prosperity to a man. There were 8 types of moths in the Indian pantheon of priestesses of love. Ganika is the elite. In addition to super intimate craftsmanship, they were true masters of the fine arts. A woman could be called Ganik only if she mastered 64 types of arts. While other members of the ancient profession in India tended to be housewives who earned extra money for their husbands, the ganika held pride of place in the royal courts.

7. Zones

Zonah is the biblical priestess of love. She did not belong to any of the men and did not give birth to children. The zones existed outside the laws of the Bible and did not obey practically any rules. Men could not only buy services in the zones, but also marry her. Only the priests were excited about it.

3. Heterosexual

Heterosexuals were high class courtesans in Athens. Intimate services were completely legal, and slaves, as a rule, became getters. Rarely, they were just residents of the city, whose fathers were not citizens of Athens. Heterosexuals often worked in groups at symposia. They were forbidden to marry the citizens of Athens, but the latter could redeem them. Hetera status was lifelong. If women tried to obtain citizenship, they could be prosecuted and made slaves.

2. Tawaif

Tawaif - priestesses of love in North India in the 18th - 20th century. Many of them, like Japanese geisha, were musicians and dancers, but they did not disdain to provide services of an intimate nature. If Tawaif found herself a rich patron, then she became a very rich person. If a daughter was born to Tawaif, she passed on not only the accumulated wealth, but also her profession. Officially, they could not enter into marriage, but very often their patrons lived with them as with wives.

1. Muta

Muta is an Islamic temporary marriage in which two parties make an agreement to be married for a specified time. The contract can be written or oral, and all the details of the marriage are agreed in advance, including how much "dowry" the woman will receive, what kind of physical contact will take place and how long the "marriage" will last. On the one hand, mutt proponents say it's a good way for two people to try living together before legal marriage to make sure they fit together. On the other hand, some contracts assumed that the "marriage" would only last a few hours and that the woman would be paid for it. Thus, Muslims bypass the ban on "love for money."