A Brief History of Sex in Western Civilization
The Ancient Greeks • 4th & 5th century B.C. • Periclean Athens: the cradle of Western Civilization
Ancient Greece
• A male dominated society • Men were regarded as naturally bisexual • Two primary sexual distinctions: 1) active vs. passive roles 2) orgiastic vs. self-controlled
Alexander the Great
(continued) • Idealized pederasty • Taboos:
The Ancient Greeks
Plato
1) oral and anal sex considered vulgar 2) boy was expected to gain no sexual pleasure 3) no money exchanged 4) adult must be worthy suitor
Aristotle
Socrates
The Ancient Greeks
(Continued)
• Marriage: primarily for the transfer of property, a business arrangement
Penis Statuary at Delos Were the Ancient Greeks “sex-crazed phallocrats?”
Penis Statuary at Delos
The Ancient Romans
• Same basic rules as in Greece • Pederasty is no longer idealized
Ancient Romans
While some were controlled, others were orgiastic
Ancient Rome
Bisexuality was considered normal
Ancient Rome
The sexual exploitation of male and female slaves was very
City Wall of Pompeii
Villa de Mysterie frieze of Dionysian ritual
Temple of Isis
Public Bath
Interior of Brothel