Ancient Fragments

How to flatter a woman (2nd century)
"To an ugly woman, say that she is `fascinating,' and to a middle-aged one, that she is a `wild pigeon.'"—Philaenis of Samos, The Art of Love

When magical spells or advice from the local oracle failed to do the trick, the upper-class citizens of Roman Oxyrhynchus could always improve their romantic luck through handbooks like this one. Regarded as an authoritative guide to passion in the ancient world—complete with advice on aphrodisiacs and sexual positions—this is one of the few technical works of the time believed to have been written by a woman.

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