Introduction — 9CHAPTER I ANTIQUITY — 13Erotic cults—Rites, Periapts—Phallic symbols—Ceremonials—Concepts—Greece—Asia Minor—Egypt—Literary and historical testimony—Erotic manifestations in various ethnic areas—Search for amatory stimulants—Condemnation of pagan mores—Biblical instances—Sacredness of genitalia—Herodotus on Egyptian cults—Bacchic cult in European countries—Pervasiveness of phallus—Phallic emblems—Biblical references—Incantations—Spells—Philtres—Egyptian love song—Near East—Hittite ritual—Babylon—Canaanites—Greece and Rome—Biblical ethics—Hellenistic Age—Baths—Phallic food—Drillipotae—Yellow—Figurae Veneris—Erotic poems—Phallic divinities—Philodemus of Gadara—Dress—Athens—Panders—Biblical-phallic—Power of woman—Woman as an evil—Aphrodite—Love as an end—Initiation—Rites of Venus—Essence of love—Mysticism—Priapic—Asia Minor—Variant names—Generation—Talisman—FloralCHAPTER II GREEK — 85Plato—Dioscorides—Nonnus—Theodora—Antonina. Belisarius—Demosthenes—Concept of loveCHAPTER III ROMANS — 101Testimony of the poets—Obscene deities—Amatory philtres—Amatory foods—Bacchic worship—Ovid on erotic practices—Ovid on philtres—Roman generative deities—Rites of Bona Dea—Generative tutelary deities—Phallic breads—Magic love spells—Assignations—Fescennini versus—Lamps—Larentalia—Heliogabalus—Nonaria—Nose and lips—Ovid—Imperial RomeCHAPTER IV ORIENT — 137Hindu and Arab treatments and practices—Philtres—Other provocative preparations—Islam—Sterility—Potions—Perfume—Arab erotologist—Amatory principlesCHAPTER V INDIA — 155Erotic manuals—Amatory practices—Philtres—Other means of stimulation— Temple prostitution—Search for husbandCHAPTER VI VARIETIES AND OCCASIONS OF POTIONS — 177Examples from Greek and Roman antiquity—Asia—Love cultCHAPTER VII POTENCY OF PHILTRES — 189Literary testimony—Woman in the ascendant—Water—InducementsCHAPTER VIII INGREDIENTS OF POTIONS, RECIPES,ANECDOTES — 197Preparation of philtres—Illustrative legendary, historical, and literary anecdotes, allusions, and citations confirming potency of philtres—Divertive philtres—Medieval philtres—Macrobius—Herbs and plants—The Mill—Amatory procedures—French stimulant—Papyri—Lucian—River—Black Art potion—Inducements—Oriental—Flowers, etc—Variety of ingredientsCHAPTER IX MIDDLE AGES AND LATER — 259Philtres—Dispensers of preparations—Occultists and alchemists associated with preparations—Literary and historical references—Manuals and other erotic texts—Priapus as a saint—Phallic Society—Erotic mores in Europe—Clauder on philtres—Northern deities—Belts of chastity—The Congress: and other medieval practices—Divertive invocation—Privileges—Orgies—Boccaccio—Turkey—Loïstes—Shakespeare—Villon—Sects—Figurines—Demoniac unions—AstrologicalCHAPTER X MODERN TIMES — 343Contemporary eroticism—Amatory customs—Potions—Publications—Experimentation in erotic stimuli—Literary mention—Popular press—Love spells and potions—Bayadère—Advertisements—Restaurants—Erotica—Books—HippomanesSelective Bibliography — 365Post ScriptumWhen flirtation needs a little help...Before the first box of Viagra hit the counter, it was preceded by a three millennia-long search, by both men and women, for stimulants to achieve the ultimate erotic experience. Love Potions Through the Ages - A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores by the classic scholar Harry E. Wedeck is a context-rich study of all kinds of philtres, used in history to boost the sexual stamina and erotic joy or to overcome sterility. The scope of the love potion is broad and covers everything from the chemical to the magical and from the medical to the recreational and also includes the mystical experience.This book takes you on a journey through our sensual and erotic past, beginning in the ancient Middle East and Greece and ending in the Renaissance period and beyond. The erotic sciences of India and the Arabs pass in review, as do all kinds of recipes and local mores, the worship of obscene gods, Venus and the phallus, forgotten practices, love spells, demonic unity, and much more.Warning: All potions in this book are considered from an exclusive historical, and academic viewpoint. They are not recommended in any instance for personal use, as they may involve unpredictable or even catastrophic effects: in no sense, therefore, should such prescriptions be utilized for empirical experimentation.