Transcript Bacchides…
Bacchiac laughter and Roman attitudes towards homosexuality Bacchides… • the original title of the Wild, Wild Women • BACCHIDES • was reminiscent of Bacchae and Bacchanalia In Greece • Dionysus official patron of theater • Guild of actors = Artisans of Dionysus • Roman actors? – NO DATA Bacchanalia • were prohibited by the Roman senate by a decree from 186 BCE • Those involved were punished by death Livy, History of Rome • In 186, the consuls suppressed an internal conspiracy • involving 7 000 people. • The conspirators were the initiates of the cult of Bacchus From the decree • “Let no man, • whether Roman citizen or Latin ally or other ally, • be minded to go to a meeting of Bacchantes.” (Bacchae) = Wild wild women Cult of Bacchus • Imported from Etruria • Originally attended only by women • Some time in the 3rd century admission to Bachae (‘Wild Women’) was extended to men. • Men become ‘Wild women’ Etruscans and homosexuality Livy describes nocturnal orgies… • “ men were intermixed with women, and the licentious freedom of the night was added, there was nothing wicked, nothing flagitious, that had not been practiced among them. There were more frequent pollution of men with each other than with women.” Livy describes nocturnal orgies… • Summary – men mixed with women – night – every kind of transgression – “more frequent pollution of men with each other than with women” Roman homosexuality • Romans had a complex set of moral strictures • designed to protect children from abuse or any citizen from force or duress in sexual relations. Roman homosexuality • A law (lex Scatinia 226 BCE) banned relations (consensual or not) involving free born boys and girls. • Slaves still were considered legitimate sexual partners regardless of their wishes. Plautus and homosexuality • male desire directed towards women and men. • girl main object of love • young slave boys source of comfort (mostly for older men) • numerous allusions Bacchides (190) and Bacchanalia (186) • • • • Men wearing women’s clothing Old and young mixing together In a “temple of Bacchus” Criticized by Zeugma the severe moralist. • Plautus & Co. voicing their opinion on a hot social and political issue?