Sex is at the very heart of life, and this classic illustrated study of sex, its nature and function, and its influence on art, science, architecture and religion contains a wealth of information on sex beliefs, practices and worship in other cultures and periods of history stretching back to ancient times. Drawing on a wide range of sources including private collections of erotica, Wall shows how people in other times and places have dealt with the timeless themes of sexuality, male, female, love, passion, lust, desire and worship, dealing with sex as a private practice and also as public celebration. This edition first published in 2006. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.