Nobody is more synonymous with sex than Casanova. With connotations of virility, lust, and sexual prowess, it’s a name many of us might forget actually refers to a real person, someone who has inadvertently helped set a centuries-old precedent around sex, power dynamics, and gender stereotypes.
This month marks 300 years since the birth of Giacomo Casanova – and the beginning of a reputation so prolific that his name would go on to be defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as “a man who has had a lot of sexual relationships”. Born in 1725, the Venetian alchemist, church cleric, and scam artist was known for harbouring several vices throughout his life, namely gambling and women. One landed him in prison – cue an infamous jailbreak story – while the other earned him a reputation for being one of the most notorious seducers of all time.
