Sexuality In Ancient Greece Essay
Sexuality is defined as a person’s sexual orientation or preference. In ancient Greece, the gods mostly expressed their power through sex. Therefore, this essay explains the sexuality of Greek gods and their role in Greek culture.
Most Greek gods embraced same sex relations known as pederasty in those days. In modern days same sex liaison’s is known as homosexuality. The most significant form of same sex relations was between adult men and adolescent boys. In these relationships the older men took the active role and the young men took a passive role. The ancient Greeks liked their men to be young and once they start developing facial hair and masculine faces, they no longer felt attracted to them. The first example of a god involved in pederasty …show more content…
For example, Zeus had many affairs with both mortal and immortal women who bore him many children. The most notable mortal lovers of Zeus were Europa, Danae, Leda and many others (R Buxton 97:98). Poseidon the god of the sea is also another example; he married Amphitrite but had affairs with Hestia, Aphrodite and Demeter just to name a few (Greek gods and goddesses)
Incest was also common in ancient Greece. Incest is a sexual activity between family members or close relatives. This kind of relationships is first of all seen in the first generation of the gods. Gaea had children with her own son Ouranos. This spread to other generations. This form of sexual liaisons happened between Zeus and Hera. Zeus wooed Hera inform of a cuckoo (R Buxton 71). Hera then married Zeus to cover up the shame. Zeus also had his way on his sister Demeter and they both had a child Persephone who was later married to his uncle Hades.
The sexuality of Greek god also extended to animals. This is referred to as bestiality. Bestiality is the sexual acts between humans and animals. Zeus the father of gods was also not left out in this category. He wooed Demeter inform of a serpent, Asteria and Aiginia as an eagle, Europa as a bull, Phithia as a dove and Leda as a
Most Greek gods embraced same sex relations known as pederasty in those days. In modern days same sex liaison’s is known as homosexuality. The most significant form of same sex relations was between adult men and adolescent boys. In these relationships the older men took the active role and the young men took a passive role. The ancient Greeks liked their men to be young and once they start developing facial hair and masculine faces, they no longer felt attracted to them. The first example of a god involved in pederasty …show more content…
For example, Zeus had many affairs with both mortal and immortal women who bore him many children. The most notable mortal lovers of Zeus were Europa, Danae, Leda and many others (R Buxton 97:98). Poseidon the god of the sea is also another example; he married Amphitrite but had affairs with Hestia, Aphrodite and Demeter just to name a few (Greek gods and goddesses)
Incest was also common in ancient Greece. Incest is a sexual activity between family members or close relatives. This kind of relationships is first of all seen in the first generation of the gods. Gaea had children with her own son Ouranos. This spread to other generations. This form of sexual liaisons happened between Zeus and Hera. Zeus wooed Hera inform of a cuckoo (R Buxton 71). Hera then married Zeus to cover up the shame. Zeus also had his way on his sister Demeter and they both had a child Persephone who was later married to his uncle Hades.
The sexuality of Greek god also extended to animals. This is referred to as bestiality. Bestiality is the sexual acts between humans and animals. Zeus the father of gods was also not left out in this category. He wooed Demeter inform of a serpent, Asteria and Aiginia as an eagle, Europa as a bull, Phithia as a dove and Leda as a