Final answer:
David Halperin's essay examines classical cultures to differentiate between modern and classic notions of sexuality, which is true. He explores the absence of modern sexual orientation labels in ancient Greece and Rome, offering a lens through which to view the historical evolution of sexual knowledge and attitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that David Halperin's essay "Is There a History of Sexuality?" studies classical cultures, particularly Athenian society, to distinguish between modern and classic meanings of sexuality is True. Halperin explores how the Greek understanding of sexuality, notably in Athens and Sparta, differed significantly from today's concepts of hetero- and homosexuality, with a focus on practices like mentorship and physical relationships between elite men and male youths. Sexual activity was an assumed potential in various forms, without the labels modern society applies. In Roman society, there was a complex intertwining of sexuality and political and economic power, also devoid of our contemporary terms related to sexual orientation.
Contrasting ancient views on sexuality with those after the late 1940s, when empirically-based information became more accessible through pioneers like Dr. Alfred Kinsey, highlights the evolution of sexual knowledge and its socio-political implications. The history of sexuality thus provides insights into the broader socio-cultural context and the evolution of sexual attitudes.