Скачать или смотреть How Prostitution Shaped Ancient Rome’s Economy | Boring History for Sleep

In the heart of the Roman Empire, prostitution was far more than a hidden vice — it was a powerful economic force. From the dimly lit lupanaria in the city’s backstreets to the opulent chambers of elite courtesans, the sex trade fueled markets, filled public coffers, and supported Rome’s sprawling infrastructure. Politicians taxed it, entrepreneurs invested in it, and soldiers spent their wages on it. This wasn’t a fringe activity; it was embedded in Roman daily life and tied to the empire’s political and social fabric. In this episode, we explore how prostitution operated openly under Roman law, how it intertwined with slavery, and how its profits helped shape the city’s economy for centuries. Step into a world where desire and commerce were inseparable, and where pleasure quite literally paid for power.