SEXUAL LIFE IN ANCIENT AGES – PART 1

Erotic or sexually explicit finds from Pompeii, held in the Naples National Archaeological Museum (Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/65172294@N00/135531275/)

Looking at human sexual life we can notice that we are not much different from animals. There are endless interpretations of different sexual behavior which reflects psychology of individual and his place in society.


Some species have single parents while some have partners for life while in other species partners cheat on each other, just like humans do. Even though production comes through heterosexual sex a lot of individuals turn to same sex partners. 1977 was discovered that 14% of seagulls from one Californian island lives lesbian life. They would mate, prepare nests and lay on the eggs for several mating seasons.

Humans differ from animals with their obsession with sex. Huge part of human social and religion history tries to discuss and invent rules on what is right and what is wrong in sexuality and seeks for the answers what is natural and what is not natural behavior.

Homosexuality in many ancient societies was more accepted than today. By the records, since 5th century BC in Athena and Sparta sexual relationship between young man and elder male lover was normal. It seems that Spartans believed that taking semen from a great warrior can help with manhood (wow). Secret Band of Thebes was a troop of 150 pairs of male lovers (chosen purely by ability and merit, regardless of social class) which formed the elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC. After 40 years of victorious battles 300 hundred men were defeated by Philip II of Macedon.

Bearded man in a traditional pederastic courtship scene showing the "up-and-down" gesture: one hand reaches to fondle the young man, the other grasps his chin so as to look him in the eye.^[64] (Athenian amphora, 5th century BC)

Archaeological finding indicates that the Cretan pederastic tradition was already well established and structured around 1650-1500 BC. It is archaic form of pederasty that involved the ritual kidnapping of a noble boy by an adult male of the aristocratic class, with the consent of the boy's father. The function of the institution, besides teaching the youth adult skills (for marriage with woman), was supposed to confirm the status of the best men, and to offer the chance to give proof of a noble character deserving of respect. And in one way it served to not overpopulate.

It’s understood that the largest part of society is heterosexual which has its forms as well. Chinese Emperor during Han dynasty had to marry empress, have 3 legal wife’s, 9 women of second level, 27 women of third level and 81 lover. Because of Chinese numerology he had sex by numbers. Few court ladies were keeping a log of date and time of Emperors intercourse with specific woman. Han Dynasty was very liberal regarding sexuality so aphrodisiacs were very common way to boost the experience. It was this way until Mongolian occupation in 13th century.

Satyr and nymph, mythological symbols of sexuality on a mosaic from a bedroom in Pompeii

The oldest proof of prostitution dates back to 2000 years BC. Clay tablets state that prostitution was a regular and respectful part of society. According Herodotus, prostitution was holy duty of female citizens of Babylonia. “Sacred prostitution, temple prostitution, or religious prostitution is a sexual ritual consisting of sexual intercourse or other sexual activity performed in the context of religious worship.”

Satyrs raping a nymph. Asian marble, Roman copy after a Hellenistic original by the Pergamene school. (Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Satyr_nymph_Musei_Capitolini_MC1729.jpg)

The Roman and Etruscan models of genitalia, date from 200BC to 200AD, and were found in ancient shrines to gods. Some of the treasures on display at the Institute of Sexology are thought to have been given to women as training manuals before marriage.

Cronus (Saturn) castrates his father Uranus, the Greek sky god (before Zeus)

The practice of castration has its roots before recorded human history. Castration was frequently used for religious or social reasons in certain cultures. Eunuchs in Assyrian empire were special group of administrators and strategically used by rulers. The same practice used Persians. While king Lydia preferred female Eunuchs. To those female Eunuchs were removed ovaries. (Again wow, in that time?). And in the same time Byzantine Empire saw castration the same as a death sentence. Beautiful young boys in Roman and Chinese ancient coulters were captured and castrated for sexual slavery and as household decoration. So many civilizations had so many Eunuchs so it seemed like they had 3rd sex.

There is so much information about our ancients and their sexuality that it cannot fit into one article. I have been fascinated and disgusted in the same time with the information I have learned. So stay tuned, new recorded facts are about to come.

Did you know: “The oldest claimed representation of condom use is a painting in the French cave Grotte des Combarelles; the paintings in this cave are 12,000–15,000 years old.” Usage of animal casings as condoms is connected with Persians & Romans.