James N. Davidson Book order (chronological)

This work offers a groundbreaking perspective on homosexuality in Ancient Greece, challenging traditional narratives and providing fresh insights into societal norms and practices. The young historian's analysis is celebrated for its depth and originality, positioning it as a significant contribution to the field of ancient history. Through meticulous research, the book sheds light on the complexities of sexual relationships in this historical context, making it an essential read for those interested in ancient cultures and LGBTQ+ history.

Warum haben die Helden der Homerischen Epen keinen Fisch gegessen, und warum waren Fische und Meeresfrüchte in klassischem Athen Luxus? Was geschah im „Männerraum“ des Symposions, wenn die Regeln gebrochen wurden? Welche Rolle spielten die berühmten Hetären im Kontext von Fest und Genuss? James N. Davidson, Althistoriker an der University of Warwick, geht diesen Fragen detailliert nach. Anhand von Komödien, politischen Reden, Vasen und anderen Artefakten bietet er eine amüsante und tiefgründige Untersuchung des Alltagslebens im klassischen Athen. Besonders interessiert ihn die Sprache der Athener über Essen und Trinken sowie das Verhältnis von Selbstbeherrschung und Zügellosigkeit. Die Haltung des Einzelnen gegenüber Genuss ist politisch: Der verschwenderische Erbe kann zum Tyrannen werden, der die Demokratie bedroht. Auch der Vorwurf, im Privaten das Maß überschritten zu haben, konnte Karrieren gefährden. Dies gilt ebenso für Sexualität, die Davidson in Bezug auf Foucaults These der Unterwerfung „im Zeichen des Phallus“ analysiert. Er zeigt, dass Sexualität im klassischen Athen komplexer war, als moderne Vorstellungen vermuten lassen. Davidson bringt die Perspektiven ins Gleichgewicht und bietet Geschichtsschreibung, die uns sowohl über die Antike als auch über uns selbst lehrt.

The lifestyle of the classical Greeks often seems disappointingly modest when compared to those of other legendary civilizations. Where are the marble floors, the pillared halls, the gilden rooms? Even the Athenians, the richest and most poweful of the Greeks, were said by one contemporary to dress no better than slaves. Athenians, however, were as skilled at spending as their playwrights were at devising tragedies. Vast estates vanished overnight, squandered not on material luxury but on eating, drinking, and sex--ephemeral pleasures that left no monuments but are recounted in numerous ancient texts. Much of what they describe seems familiar--the pleasures of wine, the dangers of seduction, a mouthwatering plate of squid--but some stories are more puzzling: savages on the shores of the Persian Gulf who live off bread made of fish-flour; Alexander the Great drinks a toast that kills him; Socrates interrogates a beautiful woman who lives in luxury with no obvious means of support. James Davidson masterfully unravels these strange anecdotes, casting new light not only on ancient pleasures but on the Ancient World as a whole. Full of intriguing detail and perspicacious insight, Courtesans and Fishcakes takes swipe at the old scholarship (Freud, Nietzsche, Foucault) and lays the groundwork for the new, delivering a fascinating and engagingly written study of the hedonism that ruled Athens.

Econometricians, while using mathematical theory such as probability and limit theory at a demanding level, often do not have the advantage of a strong mathematical training. Using maths texts requires econometricians to ignore much material, and decipher unfamiliar notation, before reaching results useful and comprehensible to them. James Davidson has succeeded in clearly and rigorously explaining this mathematics to the ecconometricians who are increasingly using it. This book will serve as a technically self-contained handbook for advanced graduate students of econometrics, doctoral students, and academic or business econometricians who wish to improve their command of the mathematical processes they use.A wide-ranging coverage of mathematics combines the latest work with a lucid exposition of basic theories. The text covers statistical methods including probability theory, stochastic processes and their dependence structure, central limit theorems, and asymptotic distribution theory. It provides results directly relevant to econometricins, and indicates further reading. Davidson has included new material and results in central limit theorems from his research. Thus the book will appeal both as a survey and a research monograph.--back cover