The Romans were known to be a particular depraved when it came to sex, in fact, their sex lives are notorious. And is it any wonder? In Italy, they succeeded the Etruscans who enjoyed public nudity and generally preferred sex with boys. In the Mediterranean, the Roman Empire succeeded that of the Greeks who also had a very relaxed attitude to nudity, prostitution, homosexuality, promiscuity and the depiction of sex in the arts and religion. With no power to restrain them, the Roman emperors would indulge themselves in any way they fancied - often in the most degenerate way possible. Sex Lives of the Roman Emperors is a light-hearted yet meticulously researched look at the Ancient leaders and their sexual excesses. It will give a genuine insight into the characters of those people who have shaped our history and culture.
First published in 2001. The psychological basis of the Roman Empire was a ruthless, frequently sadistic 'will to power'. This impulse is highly manifest in Ancient Roman attitudes towards sex. After describing women’s position in Roman society, Keifer skilfully surveys the crypto-sexual satisfaction derived by Romans from a range of activities.
Unveiling the Passion, Power, and Scandal of Ancient Rome Embark on a provocative and titillating journey into the hidden desires, passions, and fantasies of one of history's most captivating civilizations. "The Secret Sex Lives of the Romans" is an enthralling exploration of love, lust, and desire in the ancient world, revealing a society that was far more permissive, diverse, and fascinating than we might have imagined. In this gripping and seductive work, delve deep into a society that was both fascinated and repelled by the darker side of human desire. From steamy love affairs of emperors to the sacred wisdom of religious rites, you will be transported to an era where sexual taboos and deviance were at the heart of the Roman experience. Explore the intriguing world of Roman art, where Cupid and Venus come to life in vivid frescoes and sculptures, igniting our imagination and inviting us to ponder the divine origins of love and desire. Journey through the lives of men and women who navigated a complex web of gender roles, expectations, and stereotypes that continue to resonate with our own experiences today. As you unravel the secrets of Roman sexuality, you will discover the timeless and universal nature of the human experience. You will see yourself in the stories of love and passion, fidelity and temptation, and the search for meaning and fulfillment in the realm of desire. Prepare to be enthralled by "The Secret Sex Lives of the Romans," a tantalizing exploration of an ancient world that continues to captivate and intrigue. Unveil the sensual secrets that lie beneath the surface of history and embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of human desire. Are you ready to explore the hidden passions of Rome?
A fascinating and often-funny look into Romans’ private (or not-so-private) lives, exploring the truth behind the empire’s salacious reputation. From emperors to empresses, poets to prostitutes, slaves to plebs, ancient Rome was a wealth of different experiences and expectations—nowhere more so than around the subject of sex and sexuality. The image of ancient Rome that has come down to us is one of sexual excess: emperors gripped by perversion partaking in pleasure with whomever and whatever they fancied during weeklong orgies. But how true are these tales of depravity? Was it really a sexual free-for-all? What were the laws surrounding sexual engagement? How did these vary according to gender and class? And what happened to those who transgressed the rules? We invite you to climb into bed with the Romans to discover some very odd contraceptive devices, gather top tips on how to attract a partner, and learn why you should avoid poets as lovers at all costs. Along the way we’ll stumble across potions and spells, emperors and their favorites, and some truly eye-popping interior decor choices.
Looking at sex and sexuality from a variety of historical, sociological and theoretical perspectives, as represented in a variety of media, Sex in Antiquity represents a vibrant picture of the discipline of ancient gender and sexuality studies, showcasing the work of leading international scholars as well as that of emerging talents and new voices. Sexuality and gender in the ancient world is an area of research that has grown quickly with often sudden shifts in focus and theoretical standpoints. This volume contextualises these shifts while putting in place new ideas and avenues of exploration that further develop this lively field or set of disciplines. This broad study also includes studies of gender and sexuality in the Ancient Near East which not only provide rich consideration of those areas but also provide a comparative perspective not often found in such collections. Sex in Antiquity is a major contribution to the field of ancient gender and sexuality studies.
How have major civilizations of the last two millennia treated people who were attracted to their own sex? In a narrative tour de force, Louis Crompton chronicles the lives and achievements of homosexual men and women alongside a darker history of persecution, as he compares the Christian West with the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, Arab Spain, imperial China, and pre-Meiji Japan. Ancient Greek culture celebrated same-sex love in history, literature, and art, making high claims for its moral influence. By contrast, Jewish religious leaders in the sixth century B.C.E. branded male homosexuality as a capital offense and, later, blamed it for the destruction of the biblical city of Sodom. When these two traditions collided in Christian Rome during the late empire, the tragic repercussions were felt throughout Europe and the New World. Louis Crompton traces Church-inspired mutilation, torture, and burning of sodomites in sixth-century Byzantium, medieval France, Renaissance Italy, and in Spain under the Inquisition. But Protestant authorities were equally committed to the execution of homosexuals in the Netherlands, Calvin's Geneva, and Georgian England. The root cause was religious superstition, abetted by political ambition and sheer greed. Yet from this cauldron of fears and desires, homoerotic themes surfaced in the art of the Renaissance masters--Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Sodoma, Cellini, and Caravaggio--often intertwined with Christian motifs. Homosexuality also flourished in the court intrigues of Henry III of France, Queen Christina of Sweden, James I and William III of England, Queen Anne, and Frederick the Great. Anti-homosexual atrocities committed in the West contrast starkly with the more tolerant traditions of pre-modern China and Japan, as revealed in poetry, fiction, and art and in the lives of emperors, shoguns, Buddhist priests, scholars, and actors. In the samurai tradition of Japan, Crompton makes clear, the celebration of same-sex love rivaled that of ancient Greece. Sweeping in scope, elegantly crafted, and lavishly illustrated, Homosexuality and Civilization is a stunning exploration of a rich and terrible past.
What is known about the sexual predilections of the men and women of ancient Rome? What were their attitudes to extra-marital sex and same-sex relationships? And how scandalous were the Roman emperors? Again there is a curiosity that belongs to ancient Roman history which historians are yet to solve; there exists a collection of Roman brass coins or tokens that depict sexual acts on one side and a numeral on the other. They were not part of the normal moneyed economy and they were used for just a short time in the first century. These so-called Roman sex coins may have been used to obtain entry to brothels, pay prostitutes or even function much like a modern-day menu, where customers who did not speak Latin could handover the token depicting the act they desired. But the truth is, none really knows Author Zigger Zillion steps inside the Roman bedroom and brothels to reveal how, right from the start, sex was linked to momentous constitutional development for the Roman state.
