1928. From the Foreword: ...Thus, when Pierre Louys began his great study into ancient customs, to get his narrative of Aphrodite, he spent nearly three years along the Banks of the Nile and among the cities of Asia Minor, delving into such records as had escaped the fury of the vandals and the flames spread by the fanatics. Strange to say, however, the author has brought down in his narrative a vivid, convincing view into the past, with its licentiousness, which must be a shock to our modern moral standards. At times the picture may seem too vivid-but-always, should the reader remember, that for a longer time than the Julian Calendar records, was sex worship the order of the day-and excesses and indulgence the order of the night. Temples to Venus, Aphrodite and Astarte were built as national institutions and frequented by the most respectable and respected. Girls were sent here as a religious rite and preparation for marriage. The Courtesan was a respected element of society-licentious rites were even celebrated as a national institution.