Transcript A Brief History of Sex in Western Civilization

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
The Ancient Greeks
(continued)
• Idealized pederasty
• Taboos:
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
Plato
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 common
City Wall
of Pompeii
Villa de
Mysterie
frieze of
Dionysian
ritual
Temple
of Isis
Public Bath
Interior of Brothel