... and by sexualizing ‘Greek love’, the novel subverts more mainstream ideas about ancient sexuality. The chapter discusses Oscar Wilde’s putative authorship of the novel, describes the broader use of the Classics in Victorian pornography, and analyses the novel’s use of Hadrian and Antinoüs in terms of its...

..., Havelock Ellis, Krafft-Ebing and R. V. Pierce, as well as a number of anonymously authored texts popular in the period. The book demonstrates the influence and impact of these writings, not only on the underworld literatures of Victorian pornography but also in the creation of well-known characters...