Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and MoresWedeck, Harry E.
History
Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores
Wedeck, Harry E.
Aphrodisiacs -- History; Erotic literature
Madame du Barry, eager to retain the royal favor at the court of France,
often prepared dishes that had amatory possibilities. These dishes
involved: stewed capon, terrapin soup, crawfish, ginger omelettes,
shrimp soup, and sweetbreads: all of which are reputed to be salacious
provocatives.
* * * * *
The goddess of the dawn, who in Greek mythology was Eos, rhododactylos,
rosy-fingered, was a divinity endowed with such amorous intensity that,
whomever she observed favorably, she carried off for her amatory
purposes. The youth Tithonus, who became her husband, was so treated. So
with Clitus, Orion, and Cephalus.
* * * * *
There were, in antiquity, lascivious dances that were sexually
provocative. One such dance was the Sicinnis, during which, in addition
to lewd gestures, the clothes of the dancer were stripped off. Another
dance was called the Dance of the Caleabides: also the Cordax, which
involved amatory exhibitionism, denudation, and erotic motions.
Herodotus, the first major Greek historian, relates an episode connected
with terpsichorean performances. Cleisthenes, ruler of Sicyon, had a
daughter named Agariste. Her beauty brought her numerous suitors, all
unsuccessful, in turn. Finally a wealthy young Athenian, a certain
Hippoclides, appeared, as a guest at a banquet given by Cleisthenes.
Having imbibed too generously, Hippoclides mounted on a table, and
performed several lascivious dances. Cleisthenes was so shocked by the
obscene movements that he declared to Hippoclides: You have danced away
your bride.
* * * * *
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was widely worshipped throughout
the Hellenic territories, both on the mainland of Greece, in Asia Minor,
and in the Aegean Islands. At Paphos, in Cyprus, an annual festival,
attended by both men and women, was held in her honor. The ceremonials
conducted during the festival included frenzied sexual performances. In
token of the goddess’ favor, each member left for Aphrodite a coin, in
return for which they received a phallus and some salt.
* * * * *
Phallic figures were a common feature in ancient religious cults. But
even as late as the eighteenth century the phallus appeared in public
demonstrations. At the annual three-day fair held in Isernia, in the
Kingdom of Naples, reproductions of a phallus were on sale. The
customers were usually barren women, who, through this phallic
symbolism, anticipated a favorable outcome for their sterility.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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