For most people, the modern female sex worker is often reduced to being a mere victim of circumstance. Or worse, she is the product of bad choices and a dissolute life – hardly the makings of a famous prostiute!
Yet these notions ignore the varied, complex history of prostitution around the world. In fact, history is replete with famous, infamous and happy prostitutes!
The World’s Oldest Profession
There is a reason why people call prostitution the world’s oldest profession. It has been around for thousands of years in one form or another. And throughout, many ladies of the evening have stood out for being more prestigious in their beauty, brains, and abilities.
Below are eight of history’s most famous prostitutes.
1. Rahab of Jericho
The story of Rahab comes from the Book of Joshua in the Torah. She was a woman of exceptional beauty and appeal. She ran a brothel adjacent to the wall of Jericho. When the Israelites, who were commanded by Joshua, lay siege on the city, they sent two spies to Rahab’s brothel. Their purpose was to gain an idea as to the military strength of the city.
When Jericho’s soldiers went to capture the spies believed to be under Rahab’s roof, she hid the men. According to the Torah, she feared the Israelites more than she feared the soldiers of Jericho.
She thus struck a deal with the spies. She would give them refuge if they guaranteed to spare her and her family when the Israelites entered the city. The spies agreed.
To mark her home to be spared, she placed a red chord on the door. Today, some believe Rehab’s story may be the origin of the use of a red light to indicate a brothel.
2. Thais of Alexander’s Court
Thais was a famous prostitute who accompanied none other than Alexander the Great on his campaigns. There is some debate on the issue of whether or not Thais “worked” for Alexander. But most agree that Alexander kept her in his company throughout his campaigns. She was beautiful and apparently very good at what she did for a living!
Aside from being the mistress of one of the greatest military commanders of all time, Thais also instigated the burning of Persepolis. She gave a speech at the palace of Persepolis and called for its destruction.
She was the second person after Alexander to ceremoniously throw a torch into the building. They did this as an act of vengeance against King Xerxes of Persia, who destroyed the Athenian Acropolis.
3. Phyrne of Ancient Greece
Phyrne was one of the most famous prostitutes to come out of ancient Greece. She was a courtesan whose real name was Mnesarete, which meant “to commemorate virtue.” Her real name notwithstanding, Greek authorities charged Phryne with impiety. The crime was punishable with death in ancient Greece.
Pyrne faced her charges with the defense of Hypereides, a famous orator of the time. When it looked like her trial was leaning toward a guilty verdict, Hypereides exposed his client’s breasts to the court. Seeing her beauty exposed in such a way brought pity to the judges. They proclaimed that they could not sentence to death “a prophetess and priestess of Aphrodite.” Phryne was eventually acquitted of all charges
4. Little Sue of Ancient China
Su Xiaoxiao, sometimes referred to as “Little Sue,” was a Chinese courtesan and poet. She lived during the Southern Qi Dynasty and was well-regarded for both her beauty and intellect.
While she shared her body with common men, she was best known for her poetry. She died at the age of 19 due to a terminal illness. When she saw her death on the horizon, she dedicated her remaining time to writing poetry and sharing her beauty with the world.
There are numerous stories of her life, most of which involve her escapades with young men. Her tomb sat undisturbed for centuries. But authorities destroyed it during the Cultural Revolution. However, the Chinese government had the tomb rebuilt in 2004.
5. Mary Boleyn of King Henry VIII’s Court
Mary Boleyn is the lesser-known sister of the famous Anne Boleyn. She was a courtesan and lady in waiting. She was known by many in France as “The English Mare” because of her looks and sexual proclivities. Many stories recount the use of her sexuality to gain favors in court. She was a mistress of both the English and French kings for a time.
Historians surmise that Mary died at the age of 40 or 41. Her burial site is unknown. Mary lost the favor of court life after she married a man who was considered to be of a lower status than she was. When her sister was beheaded, she faded into obscurity in France.
Her descendants include notable British citizens such as Charles Darwin and the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine (Middleton).
6. Veronica Franco, Venice, 1546 – 1591
Veronica Franco was a well-educated young lady whose mother taught her the means at her disposal to attract a wealthy husband. While still a teenager, she married a doctor. The union ended badly, and Veronica turned to prostitution at the Venetian Court to survive.
While she delighted and amazed the male aristocracy of Venice, she also spent time writing and published several books of poetry. She was so successful both as a prostitute and a poet that she amassed a large fortune. The money allowed her to establish a charity for her fellow courtesans’ children.
Like others in her line of work at the time, Veronica was charged with witchcraft. She defended herself successfully at inquisition. Her ultimate fate is unknown due to her passing into obscurity. Some say she lost her wealth when she was forced to flee Venice due to plague in 1575. She is believed to have died in poverty following the death of her last benefactor.
7. Madame du Barry of France
Madame du Barry was the last chief mistress to King Louis XV of France. The King fell victim to the Reign of Terror that arose during the French Revolution.
Born Jeanne Bécu, Du Barry began her career in Paris. Her beauty, intelligence, and bedroom prowess earned her a large base of aristocratic men who paid for her services. To become the mistress of the king, she required a title and was falsely married to the King’s brother. Falsified documents claimed her to be three years younger and gave her a fictitious line of noble descent.
Within a year, the Madame was able to elevate her status from a streetwalker to a noble courtesan of the king of France. Unfortunately, her association with Louis XV guaranteed her a date with the guillotine on December 8, 1793.
8. Catherine Walters, England, 1839 – 1920
Catherine Walters, also known as “Skittles,” was considered to be one of the last great courtesans of Victorian London. She was very beautiful and was also a trendsetter. She elevated the hobby of horse riding for women in Victorian London due to her “Princess riding habit.” Victorian women emulated her riding style whenever they could.
The list of her male benefactors included many politicians. She is also rumoured to have had trysts with Edward VII, the eldest son of Queen Victoria. She was best known for her discretion and modesty. This made her a favourite among many aristocratic men who wanted their sexual escapades to remain secret. This, in turn, made her a very wealthy and well-cared-for woman.
Catherine retired to a quiet life in 1890.
Is Prostitution Harmful for Women and Society?
There are an estimated 42 million prostitutes around the world. Prostitution occurs in a variety of forms and its legality varies from country to country. Sometimes, legislation even varies from one state or county to another. This inconsistency reflects the eclectic range of opinions on issues surrounding prostitution. These issues include exploitation, gender roles, ethics and morality, freedom of choice, and social norms.
Prostitution is seen as a major problem by many religious groups and feminist activist organizations. Some feminists believe that prostitution harms and exploits women. Others believe that prostitution is a valid choice for women who wish to engage in it.
Being paid to have sex and having sex with a total stranger are fantasies shared by many women. And it is becoming increasingly common for women to also pay for ‘no strings attached’ sex. Perhaps if prostitution became more socially acceptable, the ugly side of paid sex might disappear.
What do you think?
