[Gutenberg 26685] • Aphrodite: Moeurs antiques

*One of literature's erotic masterpieces*

Vol. I Artwork by Milo Manara

Aphrodite is a masterpiece of French 19th century literature. This classical tale of sensuous love was one of the best-selling novels of its time. Published in 1896, *Aphrodite* made Pierre Louÿs famous and was by far his greatest success, surpassing that of his other well-know works such as *The Songs of Bilitis*. Conceived as a novel of the antiquity focusing on women & on light, *Aphrodite* lends itself naturally to illustration.

The story takes place in Alexandria in the 1st Century BC where Demetrios, a renowned artist falls in love with a courtesan, Chrysis.

She asks him to prove his love to her by committing three crimes & Demetrios agrees.