Dialogues of The Courtesans

Lucian, Vol. 7. Macleod, Matthew Donald, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1961 (unrenewed copyright).

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Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a collection of humorous and realistic dialogues depicting the daily lives, romantic entanglements, and struggles of courtesans (hetairai) in ancient Greece. The characters include young courtesans, their pragmatic mothers, youthful lovers, boasting soldiers, and hypocritical philosophers. Through their lively conversations, various human episodes unfold, such as jealousy over unfaithful lovers, attempts to regain affection through magic, mothers lecturing their daughters on how to survive in the trade, and trivial misunderstandings and reconciliations. While portraying the calculating schemes necessary for survival, the dialogues also capture the genuine romantic anxieties of these women with both wit and pathos. Each independent dialogue vividly highlights the raw feelings of those living on the margins of ancient society and the timeless nature of human love and desire.