The Plague of Lust, Vol. 2 (of 2) / Being a History of Venereal Disease in Classical Antiquity

The author surveys sexual practices and the venereal diseases described in classical antiquity, examining terminology and behaviors such as various oral and anal acts. He analyzes clinical descriptions and the pathology of infections—gonorrhea, urethral ulcers, buboes, eruptions and growths—and reviews ancient diagnostic and therapeutic responses. The work evaluates social and environmental influences on disease transmission and presentation, including climate, cleanliness, bathing, circumcision, and the effects of shame and secrecy on observation. Separate sections address cultic and cultural contexts of sexual expression, nomenclature, and the practical obstacles that limited accurate medical recording in antiquity.