Classical sex book for Monoray

Monoray acquires Aphrodisia, an 'absolutely riveting' history of women's sex and desire in the classical world by author and historian Dr Jean Menzies: 'This is history that is engaging, lively, informed and inquisitive'

Commissioning Editor Mala Sanghera-Warren acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Emily Glenister at DHH Literary Agency, and Aphrodisia will be published in hardback on 7 May 2026.

According to the acquisition statement: 'In Aphrodisia, Dr Jean Menzies dives into the hidden history of women's sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome. The classical world stretched across the Mediterranean for more than a millennium, its people and cultures varied, their sexual proclivities equally so.

'Yet so often when we read about sex in antiquity it is about men alone: which brothels they were visiting, how they balanced wives and lovers, and what they got up to in the gymnasium. Delving into the literature, art and artefacts of the ancient world, from sex toys to seduction tips to kink, Menzies instead centres women and their desire.

'History isn’t only made during wars or political uprisings; it’s not only about scientific breakthroughs or royal successions; history is also what happened in between (and in the bedroom). By adopting an entirely fresh approach, Aphrodisia offers an enthralling new angle into the lives of ancient people and makes an impassioned case for taking sex seriously.

'Dr Jean Menzies is an ancient historian, author, and presenter. In 2020 she won the BAMB Breakthrough Author award for her first book, Greek Myths: Meet the heroes, gods, and monsters of ancient Greece and has since written both fiction and nonfiction for all ages. Her debut novel The Lady of the Lake was published in 2025.

'She has a PhD in classics with a specialism in political rhetoric and the lives of women in Classical Greece. She also creates online content on mythology, history, and literature under @jeansthoughts pretty much everywhere.'

Sanghera-Warren said: "I am going to avoid all euphemism and just say that this book is absolutely riveting. It has been enormous fun to edit and it’s going to be equally fun to read. This is history that is engaging, lively, informed and inquisitive, and Jean is the perfect person to write it."

Dr Menzies (pictured) said: "Women’s pleasure has for too long been treated as unimportant or insignificant when this couldn’t be further from the truth. Pleasure is powerful. This is just as true of yesterday as it is today. So, after years of first wondering about and then diving head first into researching the topic of women’s sexual pleasure in the classical world, I am so excited to finally be sharing the results with readers.

"I also hope that Aphrodisia can contribute to a wider conversation around women, sex, and pleasure - one I can’t wait to be a part of."