History of Prostitution

The history of prostitution extends to all ancient and modern cultures.[1][2] It has been described as "the world 's oldest profession."[3]However, this is only a matter of speech. Most would dispute this claim, supported by the argument that hunting and farming likely took place first in human history.[citation needed] This aside, hunting and farming are not professions unless done for profit.
As early as the 18th century B.C., the ancient society of Mesopotamia recognized the need to protect women 's property rights. In the Code of Hammurabi, provisions were found that addressed inheritance rights of women, including female prostitutes. For example, if a dowry was established by the father for his unwedded daughter, upon his death, her brothers (if she had any) would act on her behalf as her trustee. However, if the woman received the property as a gift from her father, she owned the property outright and could leave the property to whomever she pleased.[4]

|Contents |
| [hide] |
|1 Ancient Near East |
|2 Mesoamerica |
|3 Greece |
|4 Rome |
|5 Asia |
|6 Middle Ages |
|7 16th–17th centuries |
|8 18th century |
|9 19th century |
|10 20th century |
|11 References |

[edit]Ancient Near East

One of the first forms is sacred prostitution, supposedly practiced among the Sumerians. In ancient sources (Herodotus, Thucydides) there are many traces of sacred prostitution, starting perhaps with Babylon, where each woman had to reach, once in their lives, the sanctuary ofMilitta (Aphrodite or Nana/Anahita) and there have sex with a foreigner as a sign of hospitality for a symbolic price.[citation needed]

Prostitution was common in ancient Israel,

References: [pic] An oiran preparing herself for a client, ukiyo-e print by Suzuki Haronubu (1765). [pic] Albertine at the Police Doctor 's Waiting Room, 1885–87 painting by theNorwegian writer and painter Christian Krohg illustrating his then very controversial novel Albertine about the life of a prostitute