According to late Greek sources on classical mythology, Astyanassa ( Ancient Greek: Ἀστυάνασσα) was Helen of Troy's maid. The 10th century scholar Photius, citing Ptolemy Chennus, mentions the story that Aphrodite lent her magical embroidered band ( kestos himas) to Helen, to ensure that Paris would fall in love with her, and that Astyanassa stole it. [1] The Byzantine dictionary Suda adds the legend that Astyanassa was the first erotic author (in a tradition that included two other women writers, Philaenis and Elephantis): she wrote a book about sexual positions. [2]
- ^ Photius, Bibliotheca 190.149a
- ^ Suida, Suda Encyclopedia s.v. Astyanassa
According to late Greek sources on classical mythology, Astyanassa ( Ancient Greek: Ἀστυάνασσα) was Helen of Troy's maid. The 10th century scholar Photius, citing Ptolemy Chennus, mentions the story that Aphrodite lent her magical embroidered band ( kestos himas) to Helen, to ensure that Paris would fall in love with her, and that Astyanassa stole it. [1] The Byzantine dictionary Suda adds the legend that Astyanassa was the first erotic author (in a tradition that included two other women writers, Philaenis and Elephantis): she wrote a book about sexual positions. [2]
- ^ Photius, Bibliotheca 190.149a
- ^ Suida, Suda Encyclopedia s.v. Astyanassa