Start Date
5-3-2024 10:40 AM
End Date
5-3-2024 11:50 AM
Disciplines
History
Subjects
Prostitution -- History, Sex work -- Social aspects, Sex work -- Economic aspects
Abstract
From its believed origin in Ancient Mesopotamia, prostitution has not only survived but is a profession that has continued to play a culturally defining role through the centuries. While its initial emergence was through an act of religious ritual and sacrifice, it transformed into a commercial profession. Prostitution, despite it becoming a representation of sexual deviance, not only persevered but thrived across vast regions, cultures, and time periods. The profession's social ‘taboo’ and the forbiddenness of being associated with the institution has carried forward through time and across varying societal constructs, the attempts to hide or extinguish prostitution has never universally been successful. Patriarchal principles, economic realities, and religious and geographical standards provided the cementation of prostitution as a prosperous commercial landmark throughout history.
My study of the historical and societal importance of prostitution spans large periods of time and vast differences in cultures to highlight its evolution and provide insights into how it defines prostitution today. Through a detailed analysis of Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient India, and Medieval Mediterranean Port Cities, the historical commonalities paint a clear picture of our current perceptions of prostitution. While the studies that have been conducted on such topics and places can draw a variety of conclusions I highlight descriptions that include details and specifics. I used the common denominators found within my research to give the best scope of all periods of analysis and used these commonalities to draw answers about prostitution and the topics surrounding it.
Keywords: Prostitution, Sex Work, Women Studies, Patriarchy, Sacrifice, Ancient History
Part of the panel: Money Makes the World Go Around
Moderator: Professor Marc Rodriguez
Creative Commons License or Rights Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42101
Included in
Ceremonial Sexual Sacrifice to Commercial Prostitution: The History of Prostitution and the Social, Economic, and Religious Progress That Revolved Around the Profession
From its believed origin in Ancient Mesopotamia, prostitution has not only survived but is a profession that has continued to play a culturally defining role through the centuries. While its initial emergence was through an act of religious ritual and sacrifice, it transformed into a commercial profession. Prostitution, despite it becoming a representation of sexual deviance, not only persevered but thrived across vast regions, cultures, and time periods. The profession's social ‘taboo’ and the forbiddenness of being associated with the institution has carried forward through time and across varying societal constructs, the attempts to hide or extinguish prostitution has never universally been successful. Patriarchal principles, economic realities, and religious and geographical standards provided the cementation of prostitution as a prosperous commercial landmark throughout history.
My study of the historical and societal importance of prostitution spans large periods of time and vast differences in cultures to highlight its evolution and provide insights into how it defines prostitution today. Through a detailed analysis of Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient India, and Medieval Mediterranean Port Cities, the historical commonalities paint a clear picture of our current perceptions of prostitution. While the studies that have been conducted on such topics and places can draw a variety of conclusions I highlight descriptions that include details and specifics. I used the common denominators found within my research to give the best scope of all periods of analysis and used these commonalities to draw answers about prostitution and the topics surrounding it.
Keywords: Prostitution, Sex Work, Women Studies, Patriarchy, Sacrifice, Ancient History
Part of the panel: Money Makes the World Go Around
Moderator: Professor Marc Rodriguez