Harlots, Bawds, and Concubines (Oh My!)

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1. A Biblical question. Which of these was the "righteous harlot" who was instrumental in helping the Israelites conquer the city of Jericho? Tamar Rahab Gomer Hagar

2. The celebrated Greek courtesan Phryne (a.k.a. Mnesarete) was one of the most desired woman of all time. As a prostitute she acquired so much wealth that she was able to make an important civic contribution to her native city of Thebes. What was it? She paid to rebuild the walls of Thebes, destroyed by Alexander. She built shelters for the city's stray cats (the first "cathouses") She built a nursing home for retired prostitutes. She erected an enormous temple to the goddess Aphrodite.

3. A notable characteristic of the Roman Catholic religion is the fact that every imaginable profession has one or more patron saints, to whom their practitioners can turn for divine guidance. Surprisingly, prostitution is no exception. The patroness of the World's Oldest Profession was a native of Germany who died as a martyr in Augsburg. Which of these is she? St. Mary Magdalene St. Mary of Egypt St. Afra St. Pelagia of Antioch

4. Which of these children's nursery rhymes was originally coined as a satirical verse about the rivalry between two London prostitutes? Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary Little Polly Flinders Lucy Locket Sing a Song of Sixpence

5. Marie Alphonsine du Plessis has been immortalized by her former lover, novelist Alexandre Dumas fils, as "La Dame aux Camellias" ("the Lady of the Camelias"). There have been numerous plays, ballets, operas, and films inspired by this tragic story; which of these is NOT one of them? "Rent" (Broadway musical) "Camille" (1936 film starring Greta Garbo) Verdi's opera "La Traviata" "Moulin Rouge" (2001 film starring Nicole Kidman)

6. Prostitution has never been without its dangers, which range from sexually transmitted diseases to violent and deranged customers. This was never more evident than in 1888, when the dreaded Jack the Ripper walked the streets of London's Whitechapel district. Although there is some controversy about the exact number of the Ripper's victims, which of these unfortunate women is generally agreed to have been the last? Mary Anne (Polly) Nicholls Marie Jeanette Kelly Martha Tabram Catherine Eddowes

7. The colorful American frontier heroine "Calamity" Jane was known to have occasionally worked as a prostitute (and to think, she was played by Doris Day!). She did have a true love, however, in this legendary gunfighter of the Old West; which of these was he? "Buffalo" Bill Cody Doc Holliday Wyatt Earp "Wild Bill" Hickok

8. This formidable woman began her career as the concubine of an emperor; after she bore him his first son, she quickly rose in prominence, eventually becoming Empress of one of the largest countries in the world. Who was she? Queen Victoria, Empress of India Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia Tzu Hsi, Empress of China Theodora, Empress of Byzantium

9. This famous woman was married to a member of Britain's royal family. Early in her life, she had undergone training in a house of prostitution and was mistress to numerous wealthy men. Who was she? Sophie Rhys-Jones, Countess of Wessex Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales

10. Sally Stanford was a prominent madam in San Francisco in the mid-twentieth century. After retiring from that profession, she campaigned successfully to become mayor of this California city. Berkeley Modesto Fresno Sausalito