German word " Hebamme" comes from Old German " Hevianna", where the first part means " heben"(raise), and the second - " Ahnin" - „ancestor/grandmother“. That is, the word midwife originally meant “ elevating" According to the ancient custom of the Germanic tribes, the midwife lifted the newborn on a shield and handed it to the father, who recognized (or did not recognize) the child. According to the traditions of those harsh times, the father also had the right to kill the child if he saw that he was weak.
The English word midwife comes from the Old English „ mid wife“ - “with a woman/wife.” I can guess the German preposition „ mit" and the German noun “ Web“(woman), huh?) That is, “ together with the woman/mother in labor».
Russian word " midwife», « midwife" is associated with the verb " twist/tie"umbilical cord. The modern word " midwife"French origin. Verb accoucher- give birth/give birth.
You can discuss the etymology of this word in other languages in the comments below.
1513 A midwife delivers a baby.
The reason that women do not give birth as easily as female animals is, of course, not the biblical curse on the daughters of Eve at the time of their expulsion from the Garden of Eden." ..and you will give birth to your children in pain...”, and anthropological features of the structure of the female pelvis. In the process of evolution and changes in climatic conditions on the planet, human individuals began to walk on two “back” legs, and the “payment” for upright walking and running was the narrowing of the pelvic bones.
To reduce the fear of childbirth, magic has been called upon to help since pagan times. Amulets and other amulets were attributed with the properties of protection from all kinds of evil spirits, which supposedly lie in wait for the woman in labor and the baby, as well as the properties of reducing pain and “safety net” against possible death. Many midwives used elements of magic in their work. In the room where the birth took place, magic spells were pronounced, bunches of herbs were burned, symbolic fumigation was carried out, and the mineral aetite ("eagle stone") was tied to the thighs of the woman in labor. Various pagan deities were called upon to help.
Birth of twins: 
When the child was born, the midwife cut the umbilical cord to the length of four fingers and tied it up. Then she cleaned the body of blood and mucus and bathed it. The newborn's palate was smeared with honey to stimulate appetite. Those born prematurely were smeared with pork fat until he himself could not maintain body temperature.
With the spread of Christianity, the Virgin Mary, who herself was a mother, began to be considered the patroness of women in labor. By the way, back in the Middle Ages, many midwives questioned the fact of the virginity of Mary who gave birth to Jesus. But, of course, they kept their opinions to themselves, since the all-powerful church in the Middle Ages was not to be trifled with.
The woman in labor and her family should read a prayer “ Quicumque vult" For difficult childbirths in German-speaking regions, the following conspiracy was popular: “O child, living or dead, come into the light, the Lord is calling you!” At least purely psychologically, these measures had a positive effect on the woman in labor.
1505 From a manual for midwives:
The craft of a midwife in the Middle Ages was very honorable and respected. And so it was until the period of the "witch hunt"....
The “dark” era of the Middle Ages was marked by the strengthening of the authority of the church in all aspects of life. And the midwives were also driven into a narrow framework of norms, regulations and “Christian” rules, which they were obliged to strictly follow.
1569 Maternity ward of the hospital:
The Witches' Hammer (1486), an instruction manual for unmasking witches, described in detail how to recognize a witch and why she was dangerous. And midwives were a “risk group” in this terrible massacre.
Given the pathetic state of hygiene of the time, the death of a newborn or a mother in labor was a common occurrence. However, the family of the deceased often looked for someone to blame. If in any village the mortality rate of women in labor or newborns increased, suspicion fell on the local midwife. In addition, theologians claimed that witch-midwives prepared their potions from unbaptized babies.
1471
:
The Church was most concerned that during a difficult birth, when the lives of mother and child hung in the balance, the midwife had time to perform the rite of “emergency” baptism. After all, the most terrible thing was not considered death, but the fact that the “unchrist” would burn forever in fiery hell, and Satan would take possession of his soul!!! While a baptized baby can die peacefully, his soul will immediately go to heaven.
Midwives received “instructions” for conducting “emergency” baptisms. In the 21st century, these instructions sound completely absurd. Even if the child partially came out of the mother’s womb, and things did not go further, the midwife was obliged to concentrate her efforts on the speedy baptism of this “part” of the child that came into the world, and only then continue to provide further assistance to the woman in labor and the baby. Each midwife in her bag, along with her instruments, had a bottle of “holy” water (which, of course, was often teeming with germs).
In some regions, the midwife could administer the last communion, take confession, and absolve the dying person of her sins.
Still from the film "The Midwife", other photos below.
There is certain evidence according to which historians suggest that midwives in the Middle Ages were less susceptible to church obscurantism than other people, did not really adhere to these instructions of the church, and most often acted in the interests of the woman in labor and the child. However, ill-wishers could report her to the church “authorities” that they say she did not have time to baptize the child. And the priest, if he suspected that such and such a midwife “does not keep the faith,” could come and be present at the birth. The midwife could be in trouble. And during periods of “witch hunts” the matter could have ended in a fire for her. After all, women of this particular profession were the very first “candidates” for “witches.” The midwife possessed a lot of secret knowledge - she understood herbs, conspiracies, and the life of the mother and child was in her hands. Sometimes a woman in labor or a newborn died - but didn’t she have a hand in this? She constantly dealt with unbaptized babies, which means that, according to theologians, she was most susceptible to the temptations of the devil. The sick brain of the church obscurantists came up with completely crazy scenarios - that the midwife could succumb to the persuasion and temptations of Satan and throw Satan's child to the woman in labor, and kill the unbaptized child of the woman in labor. Such scenarios are found in modern horror films, but back then it was reality. In addition, the Inquisition considered a woman, by default, unclean and sinful. The midwife's craft was associated with women; she touched their genitals, and through them, according to theologians, Satan could enter the body. And the midwife herself was a woman.
1515 
Although this was prohibited by both the church and professional ethics, she, being a herbalist, knew what herb to drink (for example, a decoction of thuja fruits, which are poisonous) so that the pregnant woman would “throw out” the unwanted child, since she was already exhausted seven hungry people shopping. Even if the midwife did not do this, but purely theoretically she COULD. And since she COULD, it means she is guilty. All in all, " If only there was a person, there would be an article"(With). During the witch hunts, hundreds of midwives were tortured and executed. Some, before dying under torture, “confessed” that they had killed dozens of babies (note: under torture, the Pope himself would have admitted that he had committed adultery with Satan)
17th century The midwife came to the woman in labor: 
The midwife had to lead a pious Christian lifestyle. She was also charged with asking the woman in labor to find out the name of the child’s father if she was unmarried. Issues of Christian morality in the Middle Ages were given much more importance than issues of medical and psychological assistance to women in labor. One can only guess how the midwives of those times managed to maintain a balance between professional ethics and the requirements of the church. With all their advanced (for those times) medical knowledge, we must not forget that they were still products of their era, with the same fears and problems as others. And they had to live according to the standards of their time.
Childbirth of a noble woman: 
The medical knowledge of midwives is of interest. Since time immemorial, good midwives have known that ergot speeds up contractions, and henbane, belladonna and poppy have a narcotic analgesic effect. They knew how to stitch a ruptured perineum with silk threads and performed a caesarean section alive (although many women in labor did not survive). Some of the skills of the midwives of earlier times have been lost - for example, how to turn the fetus in the desired way using knitting needles and ribbons inserted into the uterus.
Family waiting... 
Even in the Old Testament, wise “knowing” women were mentioned who provided assistance to women in labor at the most crucial moment.
For many thousands of years, training in the craft of a midwife among all peoples took place according to the same principle: “learning by doing,” as they would say today. That is, a young novice midwife learned her craft from an old, experienced woman, at first she simply accompanied her mentor, helped her give birth, observed, learned all the secrets, and then began to give birth herself under the supervision of the elder. This is how knowledge and experience were passed on from generation to generation.
To be fair, it should be noted that not only women played the role of midwives. In remote rural regions, it was common for poor women in labor to call on male shepherds to act as midwives. It was believed that if he could give birth to a cow or sheep, then he could also give birth to a woman. But most of the midwives were women.
Among the ancient Roman, ancient Greek and Persian doctors, obstetrics was not considered part of medicine. Some ancient treatises touched upon such “gynecological” topics as conception, pregnancy, infertility, and menstruation. In general, as long as processes took place inside the body itself, this applied to medicine. But as soon as the stage of expulsion of the fetus from the mother’s womb began, this was no longer medicine, but the field of knowledge of the midwife. Medical scientists referred to the fact that these were “women’s affairs” or were content with a couple of superficial pieces of advice... For example, “ make a woman in labor sneeze so that the fetus comes out faster».
One of the few known works on obstetrics written by men dates back to 350 AD. The author, physician Theodorus Priscianus, expresses in the preface his gratitude to a certain midwife named Victoria, with whom he consulted on the practical part of the book. " I just want to support you with my knowledge so that you, having the advantage of belonging to the same sex, can use this knowledge to cure women’s ailments.” History has not preserved any information about this Victoria; it is not even known whether she had the literacy to read this book. We only know that she shared her knowledge with the doctor.
Thus, the practical area of obstetrics was entirely in the hands of female midwives. Doctors did not interfere in their affairs for a long time. Women themselves experimentally found methods to help mothers in labor with complications. The first textbooks on obstetrics were written by female midwives, not doctors.
1819 The midwife carries the child to church. Midwives often became godparents to the children they helped into the world. 
One of the first names of such “knowledgeable” women that have come down to us is Trotula from Salerno, who lived in the 11th century. In her book, she described 16 options for complications during childbirth - for example, the head does not pass through the birth canal, transverse presentation, the child walks with his feet, and so on. lips and face. For each complication, Trotula gives detailed instructions to the midwife.
Trotula also describes recipes for ointments, compresses, and potions. To expel frozen fruit, Trotula recommends water or steam baths with certain herbs. If this does not help, then follow the instructions on how to extract the fruit piece by piece.
If the midwife saw that the woman in labor had died but the fetus was still alive, she was OBLIGED to perform a Caesarean section as soon as possible with a sharp razor blade. This was the rule for all midwives, as well as the requirement of the church synod - in order to save the life of the child. If the midwife did not have the courage to perform a caesarean section, she had to call a man for help, for example, the husband of the woman in labor. Otherwise, she was considered guilty of the child’s death and could be punished. Caesarean sections were performed mainly on deceased mothers.
1774 Childbirth in a wealthy family.
If the child walked with his feet, then he should be slightly “push” back and try to turn him head down. If this did not help, particularly skilled midwives knew how to insert two knitting needles through the birth canal, at the ends of which thin ribbons were tied. Using knitting needles, they wrapped ribbons around the legs of the fetus in a special way, turned it in the desired direction and pulled it out into the light of day. These knitting needles were the only auxiliary tool that midwives were allowed to use. The use of forceps was an absolute taboo for them; for them one could end up in prison or at least get into serious trouble. Only doctors had the right to apply forceps. The midwife was obliged, at the first request of the “precinct” doctor, to show him her bag so that he could check the presence of forceps, abortion devices, as well as “forbidden” herbs.
A midwife consults a pregnant patient:
When contractions began, the midwife knew her job. But as soon as complications occurred, she had few resources in the Middle Ages. Proof of this was the high mortality rate of mothers and newborns literally until the 19th century. After all, every manual intervention (all these knitting needles, hooks...) was associated with the risk of infection or bleeding. Rotating the fetus in the womb carried the danger of detachment of the placenta or compression of the umbilical cord. There were no serious painkillers.
They were very afraid of childbed fever, which was caused by an infection acquired during childbirth. Most often it happened during the first birth.
Data from the archives of the city of Florence for the years 1424, 1425 and 1430 show that 20% of all married women in the city died in childbirth or from puerperal fever. In English aristocratic families in the period 1330-1479, 36% of all boys and 29% of all girls died before reaching the age of 5. The mortality rate for English mothers in labor is 25%.
Historical research also sheds light on the topic of infertility. 16-17% of all marriages of ducal families in England in the 14th and 15th centuries were infertile (marriages where both spouses lived to an infertile age were taken into account).
1510. Noble woman in labor:
As for the lower classes, more or less reliable (fragmentary) data on the mortality rate of women in labor from the poor have existed only since the 17th-18th century. But undoubtedly before that they were as tall, if not even taller, than among noble women in labor. The midwives were not sorceresses. But without their help, the mortality rate would have been even higher.
18th century Male obstetrician in England. It is clear from his clothes that he was not allowed to look at the genitals of the woman in labor; he did his work by touch: 
Midwives were paid in different ways. In most cases, their income was funds received from the families of women in labor. Therefore, some midwives preferred to visit rich patients, and from time to time to refuse poor ones. To avoid this, the magistrates of some rich cities themselves paid a (fixed) salary to their midwives. For example, in 1381 the city of Nuremberg paid each midwife a guilder every three months. The city of Bruges paid 12 groschen per day for 270 working days a year. In 1491, the authorities of Ulm passed a law prohibiting midwives from refusing poor patients. But still, the vast majority of midwives lived by paying their labors to the family of the woman in labor in money or “in kind.”
Until the 20th century, rumors persisted about midwives in many regions that they also performed abortions. And even the reputations of those midwives who never did this suffered because of their colleagues who practiced abortions. In German, women who have abortions were called Engelmacherin - « making angels" This could be either a professional midwife or a housewife who simply decided to earn extra money in this way. The latter charged very little for the “service,” but they also had no qualifications. They sometimes performed abortions using the most absurd and dangerous methods.
Childbirth with husband: 
The 18th century (the Age of Enlightenment) brought significant changes to science and to the centuries-old way of life. European states began to take control of the training of midwives. Now they had no right to practice without a license. A license can only be obtained after a training course at the hospital. The hospital patients were mostly unmarried and other pregnant women without means of support. In exchange for shelter and board, they agreed to become subjects of study by doctors, students and future midwives.
Noble women always gave birth at home, often under the care of several midwives.
Scene in the hospital (still from the film “The Midwife”):
It was undoubtedly very humiliating. These women were treated unceremoniously, like guinea pigs. But on the other hand, without this experience in hospitals and the mistakes of doctors, it was impossible to move medicine forward. It is to those anonymous women that we owe the fact that in the 21st century the death of a mother or child is extremely rare.
Midwives, especially older and more experienced ones, were very unhappy with the fact that they were required to have a license. They were offended that some young, beardless doctor, yesterday’s student, who had only seen a pregnant woman in a picture, would examine her and tell her how to give birth. And even worse - to have the right to check her travel bag for “prohibited” items.
Mid 20th century. Rural midwife (Germany):
Gradually, the rights of midwives were curtailed. And not because of the church, but because of the medical authority of male doctors. In case of birth complications, they began to call the doctor more and more often. By the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th centuries, it simply became safer to give birth with doctors, as discoveries were made (by doctors!) in the field of anesthesia, asepsis and antisepsis, which made successful caesarean sections possible. The mortality rate of women giving birth has decreased significantly.
Rural midwife:
It is worth noting that in remote regions the role of a midwife was often taken on by neighbors or relatives, for whom this was not the main craft; they did it occasionally. After all, there was an acute shortage of professionally trained midwives in rural areas, and many and many births were given there. And as long as the self-taught people did not charge for their services, they did not come into conflict with the law. Problems only started if they started charging for their services - this was only allowed after attending midwifery school and obtaining a diploma and license.
First bath:
But in rural areas, midwives remained the authorities on obstetrics until the mid-20th century.
Early 20th century. Rural midwife (country?)
Since ancient times, there have been women in society who provide special services for money. Time and customs either turned them into outcasts or elevated them to the elite of society.
Servants of carnal love: women of the most ancient profession of different times and peoples
In our review, there are 10 representatives of the most ancient profession - from temple priestesses to modern Muslim women who get married for the night.
1.Ying-chi
The Chinese Ying-chi are perhaps the first prostitutes in history to be brought under control by the authorities.
According to historians, Emperor Wu hired women for the sole purpose of accompanying his armies on campaigns and entertaining his soldiers.
Ying-chi literally means "camp of harlots." True, if the opinion is that these are far from the first moths taken under state control in China. Emperor Yue created the first brothels, where he recruited widows of dead warriors.
2.Temple priestesses of love
The role of temple priestesses of love in ancient Greco-Roman society is the subject of much debate. At the same time, the popularity of the priestesses themselves in society is beyond doubt.
Scientists' opinions are divided. Some believe that the priestesses were simply slaves whose services were sold by temples to earn money. Others are sure that copulation with priestesses was a special cult, worship of the temple deity.
3.Devadasi
Devadasi in India.
Devadasis are priestesses in temples where the Hindu goddess of fertility, Yellamma, was worshiped.
When girls reached puberty, their parents put their virginity up for auction. Then the dedication to the goddess took place, and until the end of their days, the cult ministers gave the girls to the one who would pay the most for them.
My parents thought it was a pretty good deal. Such a custom has been an integral part of the Yellamma religion for centuries. Even though the practice was outlawed in India in 1988, it continues today.
Moreover, devadasis are irrevocable, they have no way back. Even if women decide to give up this lifestyle, they will never get married.
4. Women for soldiers' comforts
Women for soldiers' comforts.
There are many moments in World War II that people prefer to keep silent about. One of these moments is the so-called “comfort women”.
Beginning in 1932, the Japanese military began recruiting women, mostly of Korean descent, to work in "comfort centers." The women were promised work, but they were not told that it would be work in brothels for Japanese soldiers. As a result, about 200,000 women fell into real sexual slavery.
According to statistics, no more than 30% of the unfortunate were able to survive this. Even 11-year-old girls were forced to serve from 50 to 100 different men every day, and if they refused, they suffered beatings.
5.Auletrides
Auletrides dance.
Auletrides are a special class of Greek representatives of an ancient profession who occupied a special position in society.
They were not only intimate gurus, but also graceful dancers and skilled flutists. Some of them knew how to juggle, fencing and had acrobatics skills. Many auletrides gave public performances on the streets during religious ceremonies and festivals.
In a private setting, Greek mistresses provided intimate services.
6. Ganika
Ganika is the Indian version of Japanese geishas.
These women occupied a fairly high position in the social hierarchy. It was believed that a night with ganika would bring a man good luck, happiness and prosperity.
In the Indian pantheon of priestesses of love there were 8 types of moths. Ganika is the elite. In addition to being super skilled in the intimate sphere, they were true masters of the fine arts. A woman could be called a Ganika only if she had mastered 64 types of arts.
While other members of the ancient profession in India tended to be housewives who earned extra money for their husbands, ganikas held a place of honor in royal courts.
7. Zones(zone)
Biblical priestess of love.
Zonah is the biblical priestess of love.
She did not belong to any man and did not give birth to children. The zones existed outside the laws of the Bible and were subject to virtually no rules. Men could not only buy services from the zone, but also marry her. Only priests were forbidden to do this.
8. Getera
Hetaeras were high-class courtesans in Athens.
Sexual services were completely legal, and as a rule, slaves became hetaeras. Less often, these were simply residents of the city, whose fathers were not citizens of Athens. Hetaeras often worked in groups at symposiums. They were forbidden to marry citizens of Athens, but the latter could ransom them.
The status of hetaera was for life. If women tried to gain citizenship, they could be taken to court and made slaves.
9. Tawaif
Tawaif - priestesses of love in Northern India in the 18th - 20th centuries.
Many of them, like Japanese geishas, were musicians and dancers, but at the same time they did not disdain providing intimate services. If a tawaif found herself a rich patron, she became a very wealthy person.
If a tawaif had a daughter, she passed on not only her accumulated wealth, but also her profession. They could not officially marry, but very often their patrons lived with them as wives.
10.Muta(sharmuta?)
Mutah is an Islamic temporary marriage in which two parties enter into an agreement to be married for a specified period of time.
The contract may be written or oral, and all details of the marriage are agreed upon in advance, including how much "dowry" the woman will receive, what kind of physical contact will take place, and how long the "marriage" will last.
On the one hand, proponents of muta say that it is a good way for two people to try living together before getting legally married to make sure they are right for each other. On the other hand, some contracts stipulated that the “marriage” would last only a few hours, and that the woman would be paid for it. In this way, Muslims circumvent the ban on “love for money.”
Incredible facts
It’s not for nothing that prostitution is called the oldest profession.
It has been around since the beginning of human history and has had quite a long time to progress.
Throughout history there has been a wide variety of women of easy virtue, who were assigned roles ranging from outcasts to pillars of society.
10. Ying-Chi
The Ying-Chi are probably the first official "independent" representatives of their profession in Chinese history. The recognition of their existence is attributed to Emperor Wu, who was said to have recruited women into the army for the sole purpose of entertaining and pleasing the soldiers.
Ying-Chi literally means " camp harlot." This is undoubtedly a very flattering nickname for 100 BC.
Some sources doubt that these girls were the first to sell their bodies in Chinese history. It is said that King Yue founded the first harlot camps, which consisted of widows of fallen soldiers.
These women were very different from the later courtesans, who were incredibly popular and whose role was to give men "friendship".
The Ying-Chi also differed from the women who worked in government-controlled brothels. These institutions appeared much earlier, around the 7th century BC.
History of prostitution
9. Representatives of the oldest profession in temples
The role of these ladies in ancient Greco-Roman society is the topic of much debate. The question of whether this practice was popular or not at that time is not worth it, because the answer is obvious: it was. Question about the details of this practice.
These women sold their bodies in holy temples with the permission of the priests, citing the fact that they work for the good of their God.
How often these temple priestesses of love held religious services within the walls of the temple is unknown. Some scholars argue that they were simply slaves who were sold in order to earn money for the prosperity of the temple.
Others believe that their role was more respected and the presence of such a woman in the temple, as well as the use of her services, was a form of worship. This theory is especially popular in combination with fertility cults and the cult of goddesses such as Aphrodite.
The activities of temple priestesses of love were a widespread practice, which had different levels of hierarchy. Many women were brought to the temples as virgins and dedicated their lives and bodies to the service of the God or Goddess.
Some sources say that the temple workers were exclusively girls under 14 years of age. However, today there is a huge amount of conflicting information regarding what these ladies actually served, but, undoubtedly, they were the most important part of the life of the holy place.
Prostitution in India
8. Devadasi
Devadasis are women who were forced to sell their bodies in the name of the Hindu goddess of fertility Yellamma. When girls reached puberty, their parents held auctions in which sold their daughters' virginity.
As soon as they were deflowered, the girls underwent a rite of passage to the Goddess and spent the rest of their lives as representatives of the most ancient profession in the name of Yellamma.
Every night they were sold to the highest bidder. From the parents' point of view, this was not fraud. But most of them did not collect a dowry to enable someone to marry their daughter. However, some still collected the money the girl earned.
This practice has been an integral part of the religion of worshiping Yellamma for centuries. Although the practice was outlawed in India in 1988, it still exists today.
The stigma associated with being a devadasi is a very heavy burden, and even if a woman decided to give up this lifestyle, she would never marry again. Once she dedicated herself to her Goddess, there was no turning back.
Most of the devadasis left the temples after turning 40 because they were no longer considered young and attractive, so they were unworthy to pay their “debt” to the Goddess. At the same time, most of them began to beg on the streets in order to somehow feed themselves.
7. “Comfortable” comfort women
The so-called “comfort women” of the Second World War are a dark spot that is often preferred not to be discussed in historical references. Since 1932, Japanese The military began recruiting women, mainly Koreans, to work in the "pleasure" industry.
The women were promised jobs, but were not told that they had to work in brothels, satisfying the immediate needs of the Japanese military.
As a result, about 200,000 women became "comfort women", but only 25-30 percent survived the ordeal. Girls aged 11 were forced to serve 50 – 100 men every day, and if they refused, they were severely beaten.
Although the Japanese government has issued an official apology to all survivors, officials have refused to pay monetary compensation to the former comfort women and their families. As of 2014, only 55 of these women remained alive.
Types of prostitutes
6. Auletrides
These women were classic Greek priestesses of love who enjoyed a unique position in society. They were honored, and they possessed not only sexual talents.
They were flutists and professional dancers. Some of them had unique talents that made them welcome guests at many social events.
We are talking about such talents as juggling, fencing and acrobatics. Many took to the streets and performed publicly at religious ceremonies and festivals Moreover, there is information that they were a popular entertainment among children.
They could also be reserved by private individuals in order to get acquainted with their sexual talents. Other similar artists played the harp and lyre, sometimes it was boys, who also asked their “bosses” to sell them to private individuals.
5. Ganika
Ganika is the Indian version of Japanese geishas. These women occupied a high position, and having one of them nearby meant good luck and prosperity for a man. Since these ladies never married or became widows, they completely avoided the social dogma of widowhood.
There were a lot of bad omens associated with widows, moreover, they were It is prohibited to appear in public places.
Indian society recognized nine types of ladies of easy virtue, and ganikas occupied the top position in the hierarchy. In addition to their sexual talents, these women had to master other creative skills.
After all 64 skills were mastered, the woman became a ganika..
While other types of love priestesses were ordinary housewives who earned additional income for their controlling husbands, ganikas occupied places of honor in royal courts, and songs and poems were written about their beauty and skills.
Because they served the highest nobility of society, they were protected by state laws. Ganikas were also in obedience to their clients, so they could be fined by them.
Women of easy virtue
4. Harlots of the Zone (Zonah)
The zone is the love slaves in the Hebrew Bible. Unlike other women, they did not belong to men, and were not responsible for bearing and raising children. These women existed outside of biblical laws. Special laws were written for them, which people had to observe in relation to them.
One of the special rules was that a father was forbidden to sell his daughter into love slavery, and if a priest's daughter became a prisoner, she was doomed to be burned.
Priests were forbidden to marry them, but other men could have fun with them and take them as wives.
Prostitutes in Ancient Greece
3. Getters
Hetaeras were high-class courtesans who practiced in Athens. Since prostitution was a legal activity in the city, and also because hetaeras were not Athenian citizens, these women were often slaves.
Less often, a hetaera lived within the city and was born to non-Athenian parents.
Unlike "porn", women who practice their activities behind closed doors, heterosexuals often “worked” right in the crowds at symposiums. They were forbidden to marry a citizen of the city, however, a man could buy himself a hetaera and free her, although this practice was not approved.
However, their past status as hetaeras was never forgotten, so if they were caught posing as Athenian citizens, they were put on trial . If they were found guilty, they became slaves again.
Hetaerae often became mistresses of the most influential people, and, as is known, posed for the creation of a statue of Aphrodite, they were so elegant and beautiful.
2. Indian courtesans - tawaifs
Indian courtesans enjoyed enormous popularity in North India from the early 18th century to the early 20th century. Many of them, like geishas, were dancers and musicians, that is, they were not ordinary prostitutes, but provided their services to rich and noble people.
Many of them accumulated considerable wealth, especially those who chose their patrons wisely.
Those who managed to have daughters passed on their wealth and skill further down the family line. It is worth noting that over time the social status of such women increased significantly.
However, they were forbidden to enter into official marriage with their patrons, but they could build any relationship with their lovers, which in some cases, in fact, made them wives, albeit not in front of the state.
It is remarkable how they existed alongside traditional wives. It was like two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, a wife was a “socially respected way” to continue the family line, on the other hand, tawaif wives were beautiful and sensual ladies, whom only a strong man could attract.
Temporary marriage in Islam
1. Muta
With this concept, everything is very tricky. Mutah is an Islamic temporary marriage in which both parties agree that they will be spouses for each other for a certain, limited time.
The contract can be drawn up in written or oral form, while it stipulates absolutely all possible questions, including: how much “dowry” the woman will receive, what types of physical contact will occur between them, how long the marriage will last, etc.
On the one hand, supporters of muta say that this is a great way for two people to live together, before entering into a full-fledged marriage, to make sure that they are created for each other, without violating any Islamic laws.
Some contracts may involve the complete absence of any physical contact, and some are concluded under the watchful supervision of parents. There are also contracts on the basis of which marriage can last only a few hours, and after their expiration the woman receives a certain amount of money.
It is clearly stated that such contracts are a taboo against prostitution, which some Muslims, particularly Sunnis, oppose. On the other hand, due to the possibility of setting a time frame and payment for a “temporary marriage”, this is a real loophole for young men and women to have an infinite number of partners without burdening yourself with any religious guilt.
Since ancient times, there have been women in society who provide special services for money.
Time and customs either turned them into outcasts or elevated them to the elite of society.
The review includes 10 representatives of the most ancient profession - from temple priestesses to modern Muslim women who get married for the night.
1. Ying-chi
The Chinese Ying-chi are perhaps the first prostitutes in history to be brought under control by the authorities.
According to historians, Emperor Wu hired women for the sole purpose of accompanying his armies on campaigns and entertaining his soldiers.
Ying-chi literally means "camp of harlots." True, if the opinion is that these are far from the first moths taken under state control in China. Emperor Yue created the first brothels, where he recruited widows of dead warriors.
2. Temple priestesses of love
The role of temple priestesses of love in ancient Greco-Roman society is the subject of much debate. At the same time, the popularity of the priestesses themselves in society is beyond doubt.
Scientists' opinions are divided. Some believe that the priestesses were simply slaves whose services were sold by temples to earn money. Others are sure that copulation with priestesses was a special cult, worship of the temple deity.
3. Devadasi
Devadasis are priestesses in temples where the Hindu goddess of fertility, Yellamma, was worshiped.
When girls reached puberty, their parents put their virginity up for auction. Then the dedication to the goddess took place, and until the end of their days, the cult ministers gave the girls to the one who would pay the most for them.
My parents thought it was a pretty good deal. Such a custom has been an integral part of the Yellamma religion for centuries. Even though the practice was outlawed in India in 1988, it continues today.
Moreover, devadasis are irrevocable, they have no way back. Even if women decide to give up this lifestyle, they will never get married.
4. Women for soldiers' pleasures
There are many moments in World War II that people prefer to keep silent about. One of these moments is the so-called “comfort women”.
Beginning in 1932, the Japanese military began recruiting women, mostly of Korean descent, to work in "comfort centers." The women were promised work, but they were not told that it would be work in brothels for Japanese soldiers. As a result, about 200,000 women fell into real sexual slavery.
According to statistics, no more than 30% of the unfortunate were able to survive this. Even 11-year-old girls were forced to serve from 50 to 100 different men every day, and if they refused, they suffered beatings.
5. Auletrides
Auletrid dance
Auletrides are a special class of Greek representatives of an ancient profession who occupied a special position in society.
They were not only intimate gurus, but also graceful dancers and skilled flutists. Some of them knew how to juggle, fencing and had acrobatics skills. Many auletrides gave public performances on the streets during religious ceremonies and festivals.
In a private setting, Greek mistresses provided intimate services.
6. Ganika
Ganika is the Indian version of Japanese geishas.
These women occupied a fairly high position in the social hierarchy. It was believed that a night with ganika would bring a man good luck, happiness and prosperity.
In the Indian pantheon of priestesses of love there were 8 types of moths. Ganika is the elite. In addition to being super skilled in the intimate sphere, they were true masters of the fine arts. A woman could be called a Ganika only if she had mastered 64 types of arts.
While other members of the ancient profession in India tended to be housewives who earned extra money for their husbands, ganikas held a place of honor in royal courts.
7. Zones
Zonah is the biblical priestess of love.
She did not belong to any man and did not give birth to children. The zones existed outside the laws of the Bible and were subject to virtually no rules. Men could not only buy services from the zone, but also marry her. Only priests were forbidden to do this.
8. Hetaera
Hetaeras were high-class courtesans in Athens.
Sexual services were completely legal, and as a rule, slaves became hetaeras. Less often, these were simply residents of the city, whose fathers were not citizens of Athens. Hetaeras often worked in groups at symposiums. They were forbidden to marry citizens of Athens, but the latter could ransom them.
The status of hetaera was for life. If women tried to gain citizenship, they could be taken to court and made slaves.
9. Tawaif
Tawaif - priestesses of love in Northern India in the 18th - 20th centuries.
Many of them, like Japanese geishas, were musicians and dancers, but at the same time they did not disdain providing intimate services. If a tawaif found herself a rich patron, she became a very wealthy person.
If a tawaif had a daughter, she passed on not only her accumulated wealth, but also her profession. They could not officially marry, but very often their patrons lived with them as wives.
10. Muta
Mutah is an Islamic temporary marriage in which two parties enter into an agreement to be married for a specified period of time.
The contract may be written or oral, and all details of the marriage are agreed upon in advance, including how much "dowry" the woman will receive, what kind of physical contact will take place, and how long the "marriage" will last.
On the one hand, proponents of muta say that it is a good way for two people to try living together before getting legally married to make sure they are right for each other. On the other hand, some contracts stipulated that the “marriage” would last only a few hours, and that the woman would be paid for it. In this way, Muslims circumvent the ban on “love for money.”
