Ancient Manners; Also Known As Aphrodite

by Pierre Louÿs

"Ancient Manners; Also Known As Aphrodite" by Pierre Louÿs is a novel published in 1896. Set in ancient Alexandria, it follows the dangerous game between Chrysis, a courtesan proud of her beauty, and Démétrios, a sculptor unmoved by women's devotion. When Chrysis becomes the only woman indifferent to him, Démétrios pursues her obsessively, committing theft and murder to obtain three precious objects she demands. Their twisted pursuit of desire and beauty leads to a shocking conclusion that scandalized readers upon publication.