Courtesans and Fishcakes
by James Davidson
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 61)
Buying books can sometimes be what my grandmother called buying a pig-in-a-poke and I have been surprised in opposing directions. I bought this after reading two lines in a mail order catalogue and it has delighted and instructed me every time I open it. Forget cakes and ale or loaves and fishes. It was courtesans and fishcakes that whetted the appetites of the Athenians. James Davidson takes an epicurean approach to the pleasures of the flesh (eating, drinking, sex) that were indulged in a...more
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Read in January, 2005
Wow, this kid knows from Greek, I tell ya. Not a read for someone just beginning to explore the ancient Greek civilization, this is a book for someone well versed in the culture because the author writes to that audience. But if you have a couple of books or continuing ed course down already, give it a shot. Just be warned that he likes to write in omegas and taus and stuff. If you can get through the first chapter on Greek attitudes towards food, especially bread, and gluttony without tossi...more
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recommended to Sam by:
Skesslerster
recommends it for: classicists, people interested in the history of gender roles, Skesslerster
recommends it for: classicists, people interested in the history of gender roles, Skesslerster
Now I haven't actually read anything about fishcakes yet, cuz I skipped straight to the courtesans, but it goes a long way in helping me really imagine what things might have been like. Can't give it five yet, but it's an easy, illuminating read.
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I'm not gonna lie, I couldn't finish this. Perhaps I have been out of school too long and my attention span has vanished but I just couldn't stay interested, even when he went on for 30 pages on the different levels of prostitution.
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Read in May, 2008
"I allowed myself a shriek of joy, as some snatched at something, some snatched at everything and others snatched at nothing at all." Philemon's Soldier (upon creating a yummy new fish dish)
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Treatise on what made the ancient Athenians tick. So far, so good.
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NOT AT LIB 2/08 - Ginnie gave 4 stars
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