Evgeniy Limanskiy - Confession… A fairy tale in the style of sentimental cynicism

Courtesans are not just prostitutes; they are such women who are capable of captivating a man not only with beauty, but also with their minds. Courtesans had power when all other women could not even dream about it. The key concept in the definition of the courtesan is that not men already choose her, but she chooses herself.

Aspasia, 5 thcentury BC.

Extraordinarily beautiful, with an ideal figure with the best education at that time, perfectly mastered musical instruments and danced beautifully. She was a famous Hetaera and owned one of the largest houses in Athens, in which it contained an elite brothel for especially respected citizens. There, she got acquainted the famous statesman, commander and founder of democracy Pericles. In collaboration with her, Pericles founded a philosophical school, wrote a number of philosophical and social treatises. Thanks to the active participation of Aspasia in Athens of that time, science, culture and crafts developed vigorously.

Epithets: clever, extraordinarily beautiful, the standard of sexuality, educated, determined, charming.

Thais Athens, 4 thcentury BC.

She was a temple prostitute, dedicated to the goddess Athena, revolved among the elite of ancient Greek society and once made close acquaintance with Alexander the Great and his friend and adviser Ptolemy. She managed to charm both of them and, as a result of close relations, secured the favor and support of the first and became the wife and faithful companion of the second, future ruler of Egypt. Being the wife and co-ruler, she made a huge contribution to the development of statehood and culture of ancient Egypt.

Epithets, which the history titled her: outstanding beauty, sexual talent, charm and sharp mind, vengeful, daring, impregnable. By the way, she was in sexual relations with Alexander the Great not for gold and wealth, on the contrary, she prophesied to Alexander that the possession her would bring him conquest of the whole world and eternal glory in the ages.

Frina, 4 thcentury BC.

This Greek Hetaera was famous for her beauty. In addition to prostitution, she earned as a model. From her ancient creators sculpted and drew the very Aphrodite. For this she nearly paid her life. She was accused of blasphemy for the creation of the statue of Aphrodite herself in her image and likeness. But, in the controversy of the dispute, Frina’s lawyer pulled off her clothes, and this was the best proof of her innocence.

Epithets: extraordinary beauty, perfect body, femininity, charm, shyness, sincerity.

Cleopatra VII Philopator, 1 stcentury BC.

The last queen of Hellenistic Egypt from the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty (Lagids) is the direct descendant of Thais Athens. As it was customary to say in the days of my youth “working dynasty”, for the sake of accuracy we only add the word “sexual”.

The amazing, refined beauty of this woman was combined with the rare convincing speeches, with a huge charm that was showed in every word, in every movement. The very sounds of her voice caressed and delighted the hearing, and the tongue was exactly a multi-stringed instrument, easily tuned to any harmony. Well educated, she spoke practically in all languages of the Roman Empire. In contrast to other famous courtesans, Cleopatra did not need to achieve the power. She inherited it. But to retain this very power was the task is no less difficult than to get it. A fortunate opportunity first arose before her first in the form of Caesar, and then Marc Anthony and Cleopatra did not miss both these cases, and used them wisely for her own good and for the prosperity of Egypt.

Cleopatra had a rampant temperament. According to various historical sources, she is attributed from several thousand to several tens of thousands of lovers. It is also known that the queen’s lovers paid their lives for the night with her.

Epithets: a fatal beauty, a sexual diva, a scandalous mistress, resolute, intelligent, superbly educated.

Roksolana, 1502—1558 years, the Ottoman Empire.

The legendary Roksolana is one of the most famous and at the same time the most mysterious women in the Ukrainian history of the late middle Ages. Her path from an unfortunate captive to one of the most influential rulers in the world amazes not only with her drama, but also with dizzying vicissitudes worthy of an adventurous novel. Roksolana was the first and only woman in the history of the Ottoman Empire, who received an official title. Ukrainian girl managed to become the Sultana of Haseki, which meant that she was the co-ruler of the Brilliant Port, and Sultan Suleiman shared his power with her. European ambassadors were speechless when Roksolana with an open face was sitting on the throne next to her husband. She did not at all resemble a submissive eastern woman, reminding, rather, the ancient Egyptian Cleopatra. Numerous transformations in the Turkish capital were connected with the name of Roksolana. She tried, as far as possible, to engage in enlightenment, devoted much time to charity. During the time that Roksolana was in power in the Ottoman Empire, she did her best to prevent the predatory raids of the Crimean Tatars in her homeland – Ukraine.

Epithets: the legendary beauty, resolute, intelligent, perfectly educated, owned several languages. This is what her husband Sultan Suleiman wrote to her: “My dear goddess, my amazing beauty, you are the Lady of my heart, my brightest moon, companion of my deepest desires, my only, you are dearest to me than all the beauties of the world!”

Nell Gwyn, 1650 – 1687, Great Britain.

A native of the London suburbs devoted her life to theater and prostitution, which eventually earned her money, fame, recognition, and her son from King Charles II of England – the title of duke. Young Nell Gwyn appeared in the theater, trading oranges, and, being red-haired, noisy and sharp on the tongue, was quickly remembered by the public as a “girl with oranges.” Gwyn was uneducated, but getting a chance for small roles, she showed incredible discipline and zeal, having achieved as a result to the main roles. There, on the stage, King of England noticed her and made Nelly Gwyn one of his mistresses.

Mata Hari, 1876—1917, France.

This courtesan earned her living by performing exotic dances. At the time the whole Paris admired of her. Lovers of the actress were many high-ranking officials of France and Germany. According to the legend during the First World War, Mata Hari was a spy, cooperating with both the warring parties. It is not known whether she was able to extract from her patrons really valuable information. Nevertheless, in 1917 the French shot Mata Hari for her espionage in favor of Germany. She herself became a legend, embodying the images of a femme fatale and a fearless intelligence agent.

Each of the outstanding women described here has her own characteristics and its own destiny, each of them was talented in her own way, but they all have one thing in common, they have achieved success on the basis of sex. And they were successful, having managed to charm one or even several great men. The definition “Sexual talent” was used only for one of them Thais Athens, but undoubtedly, all of them possessed this talent. It is clear, however, that in order to leave its mark in history, one sexual talent is not enough. Therefore, each of these women was known for other achievements in culture, art, government and was worthy to leave its mark in the centuries.

Of course, the millionaire from the Rublevsky highway is not Alexander the Great and not the King of England, and even more so, as noted earlier, not Jupiter. But, given that we know about him from the Internet, namely, that he is a very active person, an intelligent and great organizer and manipulator, and in addition, also a Casanova of Rublevsky scale, the conquest of such a springboard for further development is comparable to some biographical moments presented here historical characters. For me personally of all these heroines Nell Gwyn is the more engaging. Apparently, simply because between the fate of this English actress and the fate of our heroine, you can draw the closest parallel. However, as a brief announcement of my narration the fates of all these outstanding Ladies are very much even suitable.