The Oldest Profession Through the Lens of Time
Contrary to popular belief that prostitution is the oldest profession, there are such ancient professions as messenger and barber. However, the sale of women, as well as sexual services, is considered the oldest profession.
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To verify this, it is enough to turn to historical references.
Ancient World
The Code of Hamrapi, dating from the 18th century BC, records the existence of prostitution in ancient civilizations. This is explained by the fact that it contained provisions protecting the honor and dignity of prostitutes. In Sumer, those who sold their bodies were divided into castes: common and temple. Hierodura or Nadita is described in the codex as “sister of God” or “enlightened one.” Such women participated in rituals and ceremonies. Clear social and legal boundaries existed between society and the temple, regulated by law, which also protected the rights of respectable married women.
Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, under Solon, the first “dicterions” arose much as they do today: brothels were located on the outskirts of cities and in deserted areas, in ports and markets, driven by the demand for sexual services. To attract clients, naked prostitutes stood at the entrances of ancient brothels. As in the Sumerian states, both slaves and serfs sold intimate services, and among them, special castes emerged—hetaerae (translated as “girlfriends”) and the lowest, the polaki. Selected individuals, especially those educated and beautiful, were in demand among Greek politicians. Others, like Aspasia, Pericles” wife, were even able to develop cultural and social activities. Furthermore, Hetero. At the highest level of Athenian prostitution stood Pollak, a representative of the lower classes, who was not allowed to appear except on the premises of brothels.
Ancient Rome
Ancient Roman brothels, the Lupanar, have been discovered in Pompeii. They consisted of numerous cramped closets in which prostitutes pleased their clients. A woman who expressed a desire to become a prostitute reported this to the magistrate for security, who made a decision and even deprived her of the right to manage her property.
Read also: Prostitute: A Girl for Money, or the Inside Story of Prostitution as an Ancient Profession demand always creates supply. There are men willing to pay for sex, but there are always girls willing to satisfy them for money.
She was identified as mentally retarded, placed on a special list, and issued a kind of certificate, that is, permission to engage in this activity. Later, Emperor Tiberius limited the circle of women permitted to engage in prostitution, excluding the daughters of knights, senators, and politicians from potential sex workers. Ancient prostitutes themselves were not allowed to wear jewelry and were required to wear yellow clothing and red shoes.
Middle Ages
Medieval prostitution differed little from ancient prostitution. As before, brothels were located on designated streets and neighborhoods. They were distinguished by brightly decorated facades, red lanterns above the entrances, and images of flowers and animals. Similarly, not all women were admitted to the trade unions, and women who were married and in good standing, or who were too young or ill were strictly excluded from the workforce.
The Oldest Profession
Modern History
Thanks to the syphilis raging in Europe, from the early 18th century, this oldest profession came under medical and police supervision. Brothel workers were registered and regularly tested for the disease. Futile attempts to eradicate prostitution from the industry as a whole were unsuccessful, and the period of active geographical exploration and the subsequent development of the port required an expansion of the workforce serving male prostitutes.
Northerners of this period had a custom of hospitable prostitution. This meant providing a wife or daughter, as well as overnight accommodation for guests. Therefore, they expected higher rent payments.
Modern History
Since the early 80s of the 20th century, prostitution has been identified as the root of social ills, and representatives of this sphere of activity are perceived as social debris, slaves and puppets. However, with the rise of feminism, more and more government agencies are advocating the idea of legalizing prostitution and Russian brothels and treating them like any other type of public service. Women are reintegrated into society and at the same time participate in it as ordinary workers.
The Biological Origins of Prostitution
From a biological point of view, the founders of prostitution were male monkeys who presented females with food in exchange for sex. In this way, a mutually beneficial prostitute-client relationship was formed, so that the first prostitutes can be seen as greedy female monkeys who first succumbed to the temptation of food sex. This means that prostitution can rightfully be called the most ancient profession, since the prostitute monkey appeared earlier than the intelligent human species.
