Evolution of forms of sexual exploitation of women in the ancient world

Abstract

This article deals with current issues concerning genesis and evolution of different forms of women’s sexual exploitation in ancient world. Sexual exploitation has always been an integral phenomenon in the history of mankind. Its forms changed and evolved according to epoch, localization and society’s morality level. Three forms of sexual exploitation are defined in this research – hospitality prostitution, sacred prostitution and legal prostitution. The study of women’s sexual exploitation genesis in ancient world proves that this phenomenon existed in the early stages in many countries with different social-political regimes and has become an essential phenomenon in history and culture of the world. Sexual exploitation in its historical aspect is connected with social division of labor, emergence of financial relations and urban environment development. Creation and evolution of the slave state personified sexual exploitation and it obtained in fact the same appearance as it is known nowadays. Diversity and characteristics of forms of sexual exploitation as well as first institutionalization of prostitution have proved the creation of legal and illegal (basically commercial) sexual business sphere that undermined the foundation of society, caused considerable damage to marriage and family institutes, resulted in morality decline and facilitated lethal illnesses epidemic expansion.