Sacred prostitution
Controversial ancient rites of paid intercourse within religious worship.
Sacred prostitution, also referred to as temple prostitution, cult prostitution, or religious prostitution, is a purported rite involving paid intercourse performed within the context of religious worship, possibly as a form of fertility rite or divine marriage (hieros gamos). Scholars prefer the terms 'sacred sex' or 'sacred sexual rites' when payment is not involved. The historicity of literal sacred prostitution, particularly in some places and periods, is a controversial topic within the academic world, with some scholars challenging its veracity as a concept based on mistranslations, misunderstandings, or inventions of ancient authors.
- definition
- Sale of a person’s body for sexual purposes where some portion of the money or goods received belongs to a deity (Stephanie Budin)
- types
- Once-in-a-lifetime virginity prostitution, professional prostitutes owned by a sanctuary, temporary prostitution before marriage or for rituals
- regions
- Ancient Near East, Sumer, Babylonia, Hittites, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Carthage
- deities
- Inanna, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Mylitta, Astarte, Adonis, Atargatis, Tanit
- sources
- Herodotus (5th century BCE), James Frazer, Samuel Noah Kramer, Stephanie Budin, Daniel Arnaud, Julia Assante
Lore & Background
Sacred prostitution has many different characteristics depending on region, class, and religious ideals. Historian Stephanie Budin defines it as the sale of a person’s body for sexual purposes where some portion of the money or goods received belongs to a deity. She references three types in Classical sources: once-in-a-lifetime virginity prostitution to honor a goddess, professional prostitutes owned by a deity's sanctuary, and temporary prostitution before marriage or for certain rituals. The 5th-century BCE historian Herodotus described a custom in Babylonia compelling every woman to sit in the temple of Aphrodite (Ishtar) and have intercourse with a stranger at least once in her life, with the money made sacred.
Reader's Guide
The concept of sacred prostitution has been a subject of significant academic debate. Historically, mainstream historiography considered it a probable reality based on ancient sources, but beginning in the late 20th century, scholars like Daniel Arnaud, Julia Assante, and Stephanie Budin have cast doubt on the tradition. Budin regards the concept as a myth, arguing that practices described were misunderstandings of non-remunerated ritual sex or non-sexual ceremonies, or possibly invented as rhetorical devices. In Sumer, no certain evidence has survived to prove that sexual intercourse was included in the sacred marriage rite, despite popular descriptions. The work of these gender researchers has challenged the entire scholarly tradition that defined sacred prostitution, leaving its historicity unresolved.
Did You Know?
- Herodotus wrote that Babylonian women were compelled to sit in the temple of Aphrodite (Ishtar) and have intercourse with a stranger at least once in their lives.
- In Hammurabi's code, female sacred sexual priestesses had rights protecting their good name, inheritance, and property, similar to married women.
- At the Etruscan site of Pyrgi, a temple to Astarte had at least 17 small rooms that may have served as quarters for temple prostitutes.
- Scholars like Stephanie Budin argue that sacred prostitution is a myth based on mistranslations or invented rhetorical devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sacred prostitution?
Sacred prostitution, also called temple or cult prostitution, refers to the alleged practice of paid sexual acts performed within religious worship, with a share of the payment dedicated to a deity. It is sometimes understood as a fertility rite or a form of divine marriage (hieros gamos). When no payment is involved, scholars tend to use the terms 'sacred sex' or 'sacred sexual rites' instead.
What types of sacred prostitution are described in the sources?
Three main categories appear in the literature: a one-time virginity offering, a professional sex worker employed by a religious sanctuary, and a temporary sexual act performed before marriage or as part of a specific ritual. These varied across different cultures and time periods.
Which ancient regions and deities are linked to sacred prostitution?
The practice is most commonly associated with the Ancient Near East, including Sumer, Babylonia, the Hittite lands, Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Carthage. Deities connected to it include Inanna, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Mylitta, Astarte, Adonis, Atargatis, and Tanit.
Is sacred prostitution historically confirmed?
The historicity of literal sacred prostitution remains a contested topic among scholars. Some researchers argue the concept rests on mistranslations or misreadings of ancient texts, while others maintain there is credible evidence for at least some form of ritualized sexual practice in specific contexts.
What is the primary ancient source for sacred prostitution?
The most frequently cited ancient account comes from Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BCE, who described sexual rites associated with certain Near Eastern and Mediterranean cults. Modern scholars continue to debate the accuracy and interpretation of his descriptions.
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