
Trying Neaira
The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece
Debra Hamel(Author)
Yale University Press
Will be published approx. on 11. February 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-300-10763-0 (ISBN)
Description
Neaira grew up in a Corinthian brothel in the fourth century B.C., became a high-priced courtesan and a sex slave, then settled into a thirty-year relationship with Stephanos of Athens. But next she found herself in court, charged with transgressing Athens's marriage laws. This book reconstructs the amazing facts of Neaira's life and trial, illuminating the social, legal, and cultural worlds of ancient Greece.
"Hamel's treatment of this complicated story is outstanding . . . for its comprehensive [yet remarkably concise] presentation of the social and historical context of fourth-century Athens."-Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic
"[Trying Neaira] is an extraordinary tale, with more than an echo of Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha."-Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph00
"A marvelous account of a fascinating series of events in the life of a Greek woman of the fourth century B.C. Hamel tells the tale with clarity and verve and, along the way, she teaches the reader a vast amount about Athenian society in the most interesting and entertaining way."-Donald Kagan, Yale University
"Charmingly written (and) nicely illustrated. . . . Hamel's account is engaging, accessible to nonexperts, and useful for courses on Athenian society."-Choice
"As told by Debra Hamel, this true-life story offers an extraordinary window on a civilization that wasn't half so rarefied in its interests or affections as we tend to assume."-The Scotsman
"Hamel's treatment of this complicated story is outstanding . . . for its comprehensive [yet remarkably concise] presentation of the social and historical context of fourth-century Athens."-Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic
"[Trying Neaira] is an extraordinary tale, with more than an echo of Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha."-Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph00
"A marvelous account of a fascinating series of events in the life of a Greek woman of the fourth century B.C. Hamel tells the tale with clarity and verve and, along the way, she teaches the reader a vast amount about Athenian society in the most interesting and entertaining way."-Donald Kagan, Yale University
"Charmingly written (and) nicely illustrated. . . . Hamel's account is engaging, accessible to nonexperts, and useful for courses on Athenian society."-Choice
"As told by Debra Hamel, this true-life story offers an extraordinary window on a civilization that wasn't half so rarefied in its interests or affections as we tend to assume."-The Scotsman
Reviews / Votes
"Hamel's treatment of this complicated story is outstanding . . . for its comprehensive [yet remarkably concise] presentation of the social and historical context of fourth-century Athens. "-Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic "[Trying Neaira] is an extraordinary tale, with more than an echo of Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha."-Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph "A marvelous account of a fascinating series of events in the life of a Greek woman of the fourth century B.C. Hamel tells the tale with clarity and verve and, along the way, she teaches the reader a vast amount about Athenian society in the most interesting and entertaining way."-Donald Kagan, Yale UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
249 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-10763-0 (9780300107630)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Debra Hamel is the author of Athenian Generals: Military Authority in the Classical Period.