Roman Empire Views on Homosexuality
Roman Sexuality:
Roman Attitudes toward Homosexuality
A popular topic of discussion, when referring to historic Roman culture, is the topic of sexuality. Even more specific is the subject of Roman attitudes toward homosexuality. During the time period of 753 B.C. to 476 A.D. the Roman Empire was arguably one of the most powerful and advanced empires of its age. With such a powerful empire of citizens that were fixated on their pride and, for the males, masculinity, one must wonder what their thoughts on homosexuality were. Also, when discussing the Romans and homosexuality you must take into consideration that males were infatuated with themselves, including their physical appearance all the way down to the way that they operated physically and psychologically.
Sexuality was not a taboo in the Roman Empire. It is something that was prevalent and most partook in. It was never a Roman law that one could not have a sexual relationship or partake in sexual endeavors with someone of the same gender as them. Homosexuality was a practice that many were familiar with within the Roman Empire. Some did it to show masculinity, others did it out of curiosity and others as a way to show a sense of superiority over an inferior being.
A male’s masculinity was very important to him. To have your masculinity questioned or doubted was a sign of disrespect. If another male ever brought a man’s masculinity into question, there was a ‘tradition’ that the man that was called out would often do. The male who was called out would force himself onto the accusers son and have sex with him in order to prove that he was masculine and defend that notion (Williams 1999). This goes to show how nonchalant sexual acts were within the Roman Empire, yet they held so much impact in defining who was a man and displayed masculinity and who did not. Looking back on Roman literature and history, this was a widely practiced action if you were questioned about your masculinity.
Roman Attitudes toward Homosexuality
A popular topic of discussion, when referring to historic Roman culture, is the topic of sexuality. Even more specific is the subject of Roman attitudes toward homosexuality. During the time period of 753 B.C. to 476 A.D. the Roman Empire was arguably one of the most powerful and advanced empires of its age. With such a powerful empire of citizens that were fixated on their pride and, for the males, masculinity, one must wonder what their thoughts on homosexuality were. Also, when discussing the Romans and homosexuality you must take into consideration that males were infatuated with themselves, including their physical appearance all the way down to the way that they operated physically and psychologically.
Sexuality was not a taboo in the Roman Empire. It is something that was prevalent and most partook in. It was never a Roman law that one could not have a sexual relationship or partake in sexual endeavors with someone of the same gender as them. Homosexuality was a practice that many were familiar with within the Roman Empire. Some did it to show masculinity, others did it out of curiosity and others as a way to show a sense of superiority over an inferior being.
A male’s masculinity was very important to him. To have your masculinity questioned or doubted was a sign of disrespect. If another male ever brought a man’s masculinity into question, there was a ‘tradition’ that the man that was called out would often do. The male who was called out would force himself onto the accusers son and have sex with him in order to prove that he was masculine and defend that notion (Williams 1999). This goes to show how nonchalant sexual acts were within the Roman Empire, yet they held so much impact in defining who was a man and displayed masculinity and who did not. Looking back on Roman literature and history, this was a widely practiced action if you were questioned about your masculinity.