Aphrodite: Ancient Manners

Aphrodite: Ancient Manners is a novel by French poet and writer Pierre Louys, first published in 1896. Set in Ptolemaic Alexandria, Louys' decadent, sensual vision of Egypt in classical times tells a story of transgressive love. The sculptor Demetrios, the favorite of Queen Berenice, falls for a well-to-do courtesan, Chrysis and is spurred to commit theft and murder for her, to win the three objects she demands in return for her charms (a rival courtesan's silver mirror, the ivory comb of an Egyptian priestess, and the pearl necklace that adorns the cult image in the temple of Aphrodite). Much of the story is set in the world of the courtesans, a realm of beauty, luxury, sapphic indulgence, and some dark shadows as well. The book caused a scandal when it was initially published.

This translation by the printing press of Charles Herissey was originally published in 1900.