LUKIAN of Samosat, The Mimes of the Courtesans.

The Mimes of the Courtesans.

Decorations and illustrations by Charles Cullen. New York 1928 Privately Printed. The Press of Classic Lore. 4, pp. [2], 152, illustrations in the text and on separate plates, hardcover, gilt graphics on front.
Spine missing (loose, in two parts), copy uncut, otherwise good condition. Circulation. 1050 numbered copies, this one numbered 670, signed by the illustrator. Lukian of Samosat(-y) (c. 120 - c. 190) - Roman rhetor and satirist, writing in Greek, sophist. He probably died in Athens. He is considered the founder of social satire. Under his name, 79 prose works, 2 tragic parodies and 53 epigrams (not all authentic) have been preserved. His most mature and characteristic works are dialogues, especially satirical dialogues. More than 35 of his works are in dialogue form or close to it. Living during the height of the Roman Empire, Lucian wrote these short dialogues of working girls competing for customers, spreading gossip and sincere tips of the trade, and men trying to attract girls' attention with expensive gifts. He also depicts the dark side of hetero life: out-of-control parties, tough guys and enduring brutal treatment from customers.