Roman Sex: 100 BC – AD 250
John R. Clarke.
"The single most startling conclusion that I came to after studying sexuality in the Roman world is that the Romans were not at all like us in their attitudes toward sex." So writes John R. Clarke in his very visual survey of Roman sexual attitudes and practices from the late Republic to the early Roman Empire.
...the full review can now be read at the book review section...
cheers
viggen
Roman Sex
#5
Fafnir 
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Posted 03 April 2005 - 07:09 PM
Lmao, spartacus he was just giving information about this... topic. Its under the Roman Media section, i think its a perfect place to quote from books.
You dont need to get all insecure.
Good post btw, Ursus.
You dont need to get all insecure.
Good post btw, Ursus.
#6 Guest_spartacus_*
Posted 03 April 2005 - 07:40 PM
Insecure
Do your parents know you are on the comp ?
<_<
Do your parents know you are on the comp ?
<_<
#9
Primus Pilus
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Posted 03 April 2005 - 09:02 PM
Spartacus' posts left as a reminder... I hate to clutter our forum with them, but I like to leave an evidence trail
#10 Guest_Scanderbeg_*
Posted 04 April 2005 - 02:14 AM
Great read. Im interested in this book now. I always thought the idea that Romans were "loose" in their sexuality was a untrue. I wonder. Could this have come from Greek society breaching into Rome? People often go on to say that classical Greek era was very open to sexuality. Alexander's sexuality seemed to be a constant issue of debate among historians today. Enough for there to be a 3 hour movie on it. :lol:
I remember people taking about the "close" relationship between ancient spartan warriors. There was also the Thebian phalangites. Does the book mention anything about Greek society mixing with the ROmans as having anything to do with it?
I remember people taking about the "close" relationship between ancient spartan warriors. There was also the Thebian phalangites. Does the book mention anything about Greek society mixing with the ROmans as having anything to do with it?
#11
McClam
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Posted 07 April 2005 - 04:20 AM
It would see to me like that would have some influence upon it as roman culture took numerus things from the greeks and an outlook on sexual activities may just be one of these many,as
a developing society would look to other cultures for their veiws also as the book quotes said alot of the taboo of such veiws is placed by the christian church.
a developing society would look to other cultures for their veiws also as the book quotes said alot of the taboo of such veiws is placed by the christian church.
#12
Ursus
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Posted 07 April 2005 - 11:42 AM
I'm sure Greek influence was a factor.
But I also think societies just tend to change, particularly once they become rich centers of a multicultural world. I look at the sexual mores of the USA pre-World War II when it was still something of an isolated, naive young country. Then I look at the sexual mores of today where it's the most influential nation and exports its pop culture around the planet. It's as different as night and day. A lot happened in 60 years.
Things change. I think Rome was changed by the empire it created for itself.
But I also think societies just tend to change, particularly once they become rich centers of a multicultural world. I look at the sexual mores of the USA pre-World War II when it was still something of an isolated, naive young country. Then I look at the sexual mores of today where it's the most influential nation and exports its pop culture around the planet. It's as different as night and day. A lot happened in 60 years.
Things change. I think Rome was changed by the empire it created for itself.
#15
M. Porcius Cato
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Posted 04 January 2006 - 07:32 PM
Thanks Ursus for a fabulous review that I hadn't read until just now. Contemporary attitudes toward sexuality still bear the marks of the traditionalist, tribal view of sex as a commodity owned by one's parents to be auctioned off to the richest suitor. The alternative, individualist perspective on sex continues to be controversial and bitterly opposed by the immoral "moral authorities." As evidence, look to today's New York Times piece:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/internat...ndia.html?8hpib
BTW, thank Juno you guys booted that dweeb Spartacus. Who the heck wants to spend the effort on a thoughtful review just to have it giggled at by some infantile hooligan?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/internat...ndia.html?8hpib
BTW, thank Juno you guys booted that dweeb Spartacus. Who the heck wants to spend the effort on a thoughtful review just to have it giggled at by some infantile hooligan?
