<i>Hetairas</i> y <i>qiyān</i>: El arte de la seducción

Abstract

Analyses the the similarities and differences between two female figures: the hetairai, prostitutes of high status in ancient Greece, and the qiyan, singing slave-girls in the medieval Arab world. Both figures are characterized by a privileged physical appearance, a series of extraordinary artistic qualities and an unusual intellectual education compared to that of the women of their respective periods. The comparison between both characters lead to some speculation about a possible influence of the hetaira on the qayna —as part of the influences the Greek culture exerted on the medieval Arab world.