of the text sets the stage for a detailed exploration of prostitution's definitions and manifestations throughout history. Dufour discusses the difficulties in defining prostitution, acknowledging its various forms, including sacred and legal prostitution practiced in ancient cultures such as Babylon and Greece. He introduces the concept of prostitution as an integral part of human society, tied to instincts and customs rather than purely moral failings, and indicates that the historical account will focus on how these practices reflect societal attitudes towards women and sexuality, establishing a comprehensive foundation for the subsequent analysis of prostitution across different civilizations and time periods. (This is an automatically generated summary.)