Marilyn B. Skinner

Excellent and thorough compendium of sexuality as demonstrated by art and culture (plays, poems) in ancient Greece and Rome. Art historians will be interested in this text as well, due to the many objets d'art shown and discussed. Overt and hidden sexuality is discussed, along with the impact it had on religion, politics, entertainment, and family life.
At the end of each chapter there are discussion questions and links for further understanding of the chapter's main ideas.

Notable also is the correlation drawn between gender identities in both ancient and modern times. Skinner's style is exacting and easy to follow, and she writes without judgement or censorship.

I took away a greater knowledge of Greek and Roman culture, as well as a better insight into the Ids of these fascinating people. This book will be referred to many times in the future.… (more)

Clodia Metelli is, perhaps, best known as an enemy of Cicero, and a supposed lover of her brother the infamous P. Clodius Pulcher. It is difficult to get a balanced view of her from the small amount of ancient material available about her. Marilyn Skinner manages, however, to do just that, and to put her into the context of the times she lived in. Her world, with all its political machinations, is brought to life in this biography of a Roman aristocrat who had the money and the brains to buck the trend of accepted female behaviour. Highly recommended.… (more)