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Reviews
N BED WITH THE
NCIENT GREEKS
istory just got a little bit sexier with this detailed
count of the Ancient Greeks and their erotic pastimes
thor Paul Chrystal Publisher Amberley Price £20 Released Out now
he sexual habits of the Ancient Greeks have
played a large role in how we have come to
understand Greek society and mythology for
a long time. From incestuous relationships
between the gods to produce offspring, to
moerotic art and the suggestion that homosexual
rcourse was accepted among the Greek people,
r history has fascinated academics across the
rs. Paul Chrystal attempts to lift the veil on what
Greeks did between the sheets, what cultural
nificance their sexual habits had, and what it can
us about their beliefs.
hrystal’s research on Greek sexuality provides
exhaustive analysis, looking at various Greek
ieties – from Athens to Hellenestic Greece – and
mparing the different roles that sex, prostitution,
mosexuality, sexual health and medicine,
thological sex, and sex in drama and literature
had in these various societies. It provides an
interesting look at the Greeks’ notably progressive
outlook on sexuality, yet darker themes such as
rape, shaming and casting out promiscuous women,
incest, and adultery are handled too. The Greeks’
fixation with representations of naked bodies, sexual
scenes and phalluses in art and pottery (supported
by beautiful – if a little NSFW – photos) show
parallels with our own modern society.
Chrystal’s book is a reflection of just how big a
part attitudes towards sex and sexual habits plays in
society and discourse, and will interest many readers
hoping to learn more about Greek life and society.
Luckily, this is not the only book in the In Bed With…
series – Chrystal also published a similar analysis
on the Romans. It’s a worthwhile addition to your
collection of literature on Greek society, with a bit of
a saucy twist.
88
RECOMMENDS…
Kitchener’s Mob:
The New Army To
The Somme
Authors: Peter Doyle and Chris Foster
Price: £25 Publisher: The History Press
Kitchener’s
Mob: The
New Army To
The Somme
is a superbly
presented book
that seeks to
explain that
phenomenon
through a
variety of
sources. The book’s structure is quite
simple. It starts by introducing us to
Lord Kitchener (whose face appeared
on the iconic ‘Your Country Needs
You’ recruiting poster of the time) and
the type of organisation the British
army was at the start of the war. The
result is a bit like wandering through
a spectacularly well put-together
exhibition. Truly fascinating stuff.
CLEOPATRA’S SHADOWS
Be captivated by Egypt’s little princess
Author Emily Holleman Publisher Sphere Publishing
Price £7.99 Released Out now
When young Arsinoe
wakes from her sleep,
she does not notice
anything out of the
ordinary – she is in
too much of a rush to wave off
her father and sister Cleopatra
on their latest voyage. It is
only when she returns to the
Egyptian palace that her world
takes a very unusual turn. Her
father’s trustees are slaughtered
in front of her and she is shut
in her chambers until her other
sister, Bernice, the new ruler of
the empire, sees fit to let her out.
Her mother has absconded with
her younger brothers and the
little princess is left all alone.
Meanwhile, the new queen
finds herself in a position where
she must decide if Arsinoe
is of use to her or if she is an
errant child that will one day
grow to be the biggest threat to
her throne. Then there is the
question of when her father and
the rightful heir to the throne
will return from exile, and what
surprises they may have in store.
Holleman writes an intense
story that fully immerses the
reader in the sights, sounds
and smells of Ancient Egypt.
Although a tough read in the
first few chapters, the story
quickly picks up speed and soon
new life is given to the historical
figures. So rarely does a work
of historical fiction emulate the
women’s own wit and courage
in a man’s world, as Egypt was.
For those who demand a lot
from historical fiction, this is a
must read that will have you
gripped until the very last word.