The demand for escorts in Italy, as well as worldwide has always been great and vast. Many men have sought  sexual encounters almost since the begining of time, throughout the middle ages, into this present day. Some reports go as far to say prostitution has kept decent women safe from rape and abuse that would otherwise be inflicted on the good girls, had Italian escorts not stepped up to satisfy this need.
     
     In 1358, or there about, the Venice Grand Counsel declared, "Prostitution is absolutely indespensible to the world." This statement supports, willingly and enthusiastically the desire and need for escorts in Italy. The church recognized sex outside of the marriage adultry, and fornication as St. Augustine offered something such as"If you banish prostitution, society becomes chaotic as a result of unsatisfied lust." The necessity of prostitution thereby proclaimed. Many working women have been reformed by the church, becoming nuns or by marrying. There are many sancutaries set up through religion to help women who want to end their profession.
    
     Early municipal governments especially in Italy have made much effort to eliminate prostitution in the cities, but because the call is so great, all attempts are to no avail. Men, old, young, married, or single, even the clergy have needs that must be met. Many Cities tried to allow the women to work only in certain areas, these areas turned into an underground for criminals. Some cities in Italy are currently working towards a type of red light district away from popular tourist attractions. In order to set apart noble women from the courtesans around the 1500s, the church required a type of distinct clothing selected by each city's government. In Florence the working woman had to wear gloves and bells on their hats, in Milan black cloaks distinguished women. In Venice it was a yellow ribbon or a yellow veil, in Sienna low heels or slippers were worn. It seems the distinction was unlcear as to who the noble women were at times. Around 1403 Venice established its own brothels in the Rialto, this became the traditional area of the city allowing prostitution openly. In the 14th and 15th centuries the Goverment of Italy funded brothels established in major cities. as for the prostitutes it usually is about making a living rather than gratificaction sexually then and now.
    
     In 1958 the Merlin Law, a ten year battle for Senator Lina Merlin closed the brothels. In Italy prostitution is legal, but owning brothels,pimping or living off the earnings of the working woman is illegal. Exploitation is usually through criminal organization and quite luractive. As recent as May 2007 hundreds of Italian Courtesans danced and sang their way through Padua in protest of fining the client in an effort to limit prostitution.
    
     In the 16th century wealthy, high class Venetian men, dined from the abundance of the sea, donned the finest of silk garments from the silk trade route, lived in magnificent architecture and enjoyed the incomprable companionship of the most exquisite and elite group of women, the Italian Renaissance courtesans.Women in the profession honored courtesan or La cortigiana oneste, were not common prostitutes. Most of these spellbinding women were highly educated, well versed in contemporary and classical literture and spoke at least one other language. They were skilled in music song and dance. Full of charisma and personality, these women attracted wealthy aristocrats and dignitaries. Their intelligence and wit allowed them to appear tantamount to the most influential of men, while the men themselves relished the courtesans tantalizing art of seduction.

    The courtesans had greater freedom and intellect than the Venetian wives. The wives were prized and valued for the size of their dowery and how many children they could bear. Most were expected to concentrate on religious teachings rather than education. A wife's place was in the home, sequestered from the evil ways of the world, to raise her children. Most of these women were too prudish to explore sexuality and were appauled to think of what may be considered unnatural sex. Many were grateful that their man could have his needs met elsewhere. Courtesans used sex and politics to influence the most powerful of men. These were the women on the arm of the upperclass clientele for most social events. The epicurean courtesans wrote novels and poetry, sometimes dedicated to or about their patrons, many of which were bankers, merchants and royality. At times the courtesans were hired by the government to seduce and perhaps reform homosexuals.
   
    The ladies of pleasure were allowed to 1. collect and keep their earnings, 2.able to buy and keep property, 3.to own and wear fashionable and expensive garments. This allowed the courtesans to look as stately as the noble women of Venice. There was little contact with other women. Rivalry existed competing for the highest paying clientle and the wives of those patrons would not associate with the harlot sleeping with her husband.
    
    Times have not changed much the Annoticoreport states 27% of courtesans are studens and 18% housewives. It also states 34% of todays courtesans hold degrees or diplomas and 11% speak another foreign language fluently.There are currently over 100,000 plus women working as escorts in Italy, keeping the courtesan profession alive. As of June 2008 a recent survey in the Donna Modera magazine, 85% of Italians favor repealing the Merlin law of 1958. 47% of Italians think it would clean up the streets, to have brothels reopened, and 38% believe it would protect sex workers from exploitation and violence.
    
   In summation, it is easy to ascertain  that the history and necessity of Italian escorts is as prevalent today as it was centuries ago.