The Constraints of Desire: The Anthropology of Sex and Gender in Ancient Greece (New Ancient World Series)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 282 pages
• Published by: Routledge
• Edition: 1st Edition December 13, 1989
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0415901235
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0415901239
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 12.8 ounces

Product Review
"The entire work is an great one for courses on women in antiquity. . . History courses will profit from the section on male sexuality in classical Athens. . . this sophisticated and valuable work is accessible to a very wide audience." -- Classical World

The entire work is an great one for courses on women in antiquity. . . History courses will profit from the section on male sexuality in classical Athens. . . this sophisticated and valuable work is accessible to a very wide audience.
–Classical World

Product Description
For centuries, classical scholars have intensely debated the "position of women" in classical Athens. Did women have a vast but informal power, or were they little better than slaves? Using methods developed from feminist anthropology, Winkler steps back from this narrowly framed question and puts it in the greater context of how sex and gender in ancient Greece were culturally constructed. His innovative approach uncovers the very real possibilities for female autonomy that existed in Greek society.

Reader Reviews
It's a very readable and well researched book about the sex and gender in ancient Greece. I recommend it for everybody who is interested in the Greek history, gynaikologia, sexologia, and anthoropologia. The most interesting thesis for me is the Chapter 2. of Part One ; "Laying Down the Law : The Oversight of Men's Sexual Behavior in Classical Athens",in which Mr. Winkler investigates the meanings of "kinaidos", "katapygon", "pornos" kai "kalos".