Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Rebecca Anne Strong

NAME:
- Rebecca Anne Strong

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1997)

ADVISORS:
- Mortimer Chambers

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Ronald Mellor
- Sarah Morris

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: The most shameful practice: Temple prostitution in the ancient Greek world

Abstract: There is literary testimony that temple prostitution took place at three locations in the ancient Greek world: Cyprus, Corinth, and Epizephyrian Locris. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the literary testimony for this practice as well as any evidence provided by architecture or artifacts which might indicate when, where, and possibly even why the Greeks engaged in temple prostitution.

Among the conclusions reached in this dissertation are the following: (i) It seems likely that Cyprus was the first of the sites listed above to develop a cult of Aphrodite which included temple prostitution. The cult of Aphrodite at Paphos dates to the late Bronze Age, and it is possible that temple prostitution already existed at that early date. (ii) Temple prostitution also began to be practiced in Corinth and Locris, probably in the late 8th century B.C. The cults at Corinth and Locris may have originated from Cyprus. (iii) Distinctive architecture and artifacts allow us to reconstruct a picture of how temple prostitution was incorporated into the cult of Aphrodite. Archeological features of the sites at which there was temple prostitution, such as pits containing the remains of offerings associated with the temple or brothel and wells or pools for ritual washing, suggest that certain rites were consistently associated with temple prostitution. Artifacts point to the importance of a procession involving a chariot and musicians, weaving and the presentation of a peplos, and mirrors and cosmetic activites. Finally, artifacts may illustrate the actual consummation of temple prostitution in a ritual setting. (iv) Finally, myths such as the "Return of Hephaistos," the marriage of Aphrodite and Anchises in the "Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite," and the stories of Jason and the Argonauts and the Lemnian women provide the mythological background in the context of which temple prostitution must be understood.

MPACT Scores for Rebecca Anne Strong

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-10-14 17:36:10

Advisors and Advisees Graph

generating graph, please reload

Students under Rebecca Anne Strong

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None