Trying Neaira The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece Debra Hamel

Neaira grew up in a Corinthian brothel in the fourth century B.C., became a high-priced courtesan and a sex slave, then settled into a thirty-year relationship with Stephanos of Athens. But next she found herself in court, charged with transgressing Athens's marriage laws. This book reconstructs the amazing facts of Neaira's life and trial, illuminating the social, legal, and cultural worlds of ancient Greece.

Debra Hamel is the author of Athenian Generals: Military Authority in the Classical Period.

"vivid and entertaining... the scholarship is first-class" Tom Holland, The Daily Telegraph; "gripping... a lively and exciting narrative." Peter Jones, The Sunday Telegraph; "scholarly and highly entertaining" John Taylor, JACT Review; "Hamel's treatment of this complicated story is outstanding for its comprehensive (yet remarkably concise) presentation of the social and historical context of fourth-century Athens." Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic"