Ancient Manners; Also Known As Aphrodite

In the bustling ports of ancient Alexandria, a striking courtesan named Chrysis moves through temples, markets, and moonlit gardens with a mix of daring confidence and keen intellect. The narrator treats her not as a fallen figure but as a woman who has deliberately chosen her place in society, embracing love and pleasure as the Greeks once celebrated them. Through a series of short, lyrical episodes the story hints at the politics, philosophy, and sensuality that shape her world.

The novel unfolds in five loosely linked books, each offering a glimpse of Chrysis’s encounters—from a mirror‑laden boudoir to a decadent banquet and a mysterious lyre that seems to sing of destiny. Pierre Louÿs’s language is lush yet precise, inviting listeners to hear the clatter of Alexandria’s quay, the rustle of silk, and the murmur of ancient debates about virtue and desire. As the first act progresses, the listener is drawn into a portrait of a woman who refuses apology, living on her own terms while the city swirls around her.