Fun fact: According to Greek legend there was a famous prostitute who managed to avoid a death sentence by showing the judges her boobs and arguing that it would be a crime against the Gods to destroy something so beautiful.
Before you ask, yes there are paintings of this. And yes, they’re amazing.
No, but this is one of my absolute favorite bits of history!
The courtesan named was named Phryne and she was indeed a renowned beauty, and was indeed was put on trial for a capital crime. And yes, the sum of her defense consisted of her stripping in court (helped by her lover/defendant) and asking the jury (all males) if they were prepared to destroy this.
But this is actually a very interesting case of Values Dissonance - the capital crime she was accused of was blasphemy. In Ancient Greek society, exceptional beauty was a sign of favor from the gods, and they took the idea that beauty indicated goodness with great seriousness. They even called their nobles Kaloi k'Agathoi, “the Beautiful and the Good.”
So by showing off her great physical beauty, Phryne was being very clever indeed, her argument essentially being “How could I possibly commit blasphemy if the gods have given me this body?“
thealawl to give you an idea.. most of this was purchased at the craft store where my mom works or at wholesale places online (flowers). feel free to steal any ideas if you like them lol. The seating chart was printed out and matched up with skeleton keys. mason jars were used for little tealight candles or painted and had flowers in them for centerpieces. I had a remembrance table set up for all my family who couldnt make it. Just printed on paper and folded. The card box was from a thrift store and decorated to look “fancy” lol. I still have it as a wedding memory box. Instead of printing out papers for everyone with the wedding party and handing out before the wedding we just framed one and set it in the entry way to the reception. My uncle played guitar during the ceremony as we walked down the aisle and my cousin DJed for us with his laptop for free. And lastly.. my favorite. The herb favors haha. Hope this helps :)
