The Importance Of Sexuality In Greek Society

During the late 19th century, the ideals of middle-class, respectable sexuality were in a state of flux. Published findings by renowned psychiatrists such as Richard von Krafft-Ebbing and Sigmund Freud helped to recreate and build upon sexual knowledge, establishing never before heard of terms for a variety of sexual behaviors. Often, therein lies an implicit bias when codifying topics of study. Therefore, due to the major shifts during the late 19th and early 20th century in how sexuality is classified scientifically and medically, psychiatry plays a primary role in creating concepts such as “normal” and “abnormal” sexuality.

From birth, one's sexuality is shaped by society. Cultures institute behaviors that are to be seen as the societal norms, which work to constantly reinforce societal expectations of how genders should act in relation to one another. Although some may argue that one's sexuality is an innate characteristic resulting from genetic makeup, there is a large amount of evidence pointing to its social construction instead. Through the power differences between males and females, established gender roles, and drastic economic shifts, society establishes sexuality and reinforces the behaviors that are expected of its citizens.

According to Halperin, “the 'sexuality' of the classical Athenians...was constituted by the very principles on which Athenian public life was organized” (Halperin 419). By this he is referring to the fact that sexuality in the Ancient Athens society was socially constructed, but not in the way that it is understood to be socially constructed in modern thought. The so-called sexuality of the Ancient Greek peoples in Athens was directly related to how the society worked, how it was built and how it was understood. Halperin provides a quote from a French anthropologist who is named Maurice Godelier in order to make this point more apparent. This quote states that “it is not sexuality which haunts society, but society which haunts the body's sexuality” (Halperin 419). This statement re-emphasizes the fact that sexuality is a socially constructed concept, entirely dependant upon the society in which it is created in order to be best understood. The history of sexuality, therefore, is a brief history in the sense that the idea of sexuality is constantly being rethought and changed. Halperin sums up the concept of sexuality very well when he says that “[it]...is not a cause but an effect” (Halperin).

Allison Glazebrook and Kelly Olson’s chapter, “Greek and Roman Marriage" the authors discuss marriage practices in Ancient Greece and Rome and highlight the importance of wives in a family structure and society. They do so by looking at what was required for a legitimate marriage over the course of these civilizations’ history. In both cultures, Glazebrook and Olson especially look at how women and girls’ bodies were policed and defined. From an early age, girls were taught that their role in life would be remain sexually available to their husbands and produce heirs. From a modern perspective, girls in ancient civilizations married extremely young. However, this chapter address the “scientific” justification society gave to promote this practice

Sexuality in Medieval Times Throughout the entire epoch of the Middle Ages the public attitude towards sexuality and its manifestations was massively influenced and determined by clerical teaching positions and the role of the Church as the supreme moral institution. In contrast to pure spiritual divine love, physical love was a hindrance to salvation in the otherworldly paradise. The fleshly Eros, which was bound to the flesh, was regarded as acceptable only for the purpose of the procreation of children within the framework of marriage. External activities were branded morally, regulated by law and partly sanctioned with draconian penalties. One saw virginity as an ideal, or at least as a commandment, whose praise burdened and marginalized the woman.

In the symposium, Pausanias (Greek geographer) conveys the second part which talks about a few of the societal standards representing gay (homoerotic) relationships. The way that a companion (an older man) and his lover ( a younger man) may act towards each other is largely based on society’s ethical code. It is shown that the tradition of this relationship is pursuer to the pursued; the older man takes the initiative in the relationship and is

In the Iliad Homer depicts Hector as the hero. Hector is courageous for fighting even though Apollo abandoned him. Hector knew he would be in a big disadvantage in terms of strength and ability if he fought Achilles, but he had the courage to stand up to him. Hector was willing to fight Achilles for his people and his city, he knew in order for Troy to win the war, he had to defeat Achilles even if it will cost him his life. Achilles is portrayed as the villain or snake with deadly poisons. Hector follows an honor code for burial arrangements while Achilles was not willing to do the same and in the end desecrate his body. Achilles drags Hectors corpse behind his chariot around the city, trying to mock him. It shows how disgraceful Achilles and just makes Hector seem like more of a hero. When Hector died, the people of Troy cried out for Hector. Hector fought for his family and his people, while Achilles fought for glory and personal honor. Heroes are people who are willing to sacrifice themselves.

In our culture, men and women are expected to act in certain ways during a sexual encounter, based on their gender. During a sexual encounter, men are expected to be dominant and active, while women are expected to be submissive and passive. The existence of gender roles has been a constant theme throughout humanity. In Ancient Greece, sexual gender roles that resemble modern sexual gender roles existed, but were not a 1:1 comparison with what we have today.

The distinction seen between the texts from the ancient Greek and Romans versus the rabbinic texts allow readers to compare how the lifestyle and societal rules dictate what was considered acceptable and prohibited. Although the texts presented are not a true representation of how certain populations lived during the ancient times, it does allow the readers to view what was considered to be the societal norm as well as distinguish how those who deviated from conformity were viewed as. For instance, many of the texts viewed had asymmetrical perspectives that mostly had the viewpoint of men compared to women, especially in how one was to be treated in both societal and sexual conditions. By comparing the difference of what and how sexual interaction

It is best to start by debunking some misconceptions about ancient Greece and sexuality. One common misbelief is that there was no shame in being promiscuous, that the ancient Greeks were free to fornicate freely and without shame. However, in McClure’s book Sexuality and Gender in the Classical World, she explains

The Dark Age remnants induced the Greeks to strengthen their ability to fight, to build their society just for war. All men from sixteen to sixty had to serve in military force. Serving in military drove Greek men delay their marriage until age of thirty. In the results, they had to release their sexual life by using female slaves, prostitutes, or another man as sexual partners (Backman, p.116.) The training for every soldier to make them overcome the instinct was also the problem leading the development of homosexuality. In the other hands, homosexual was accepted in the ancient Greek with the separation of the sexual education. Virginity female who expected to become bride usually enjoyed the toy in her girlhood to get experienced in their

From centuries BC till the modern days of today, sexual ambivalence has been an issue that disturbed society in general, especially in very traditional communities. Hermaphrodite features have been applied into art every since BC in mainly Greek sculptures and in the art world these features today have been manipulated and used in the variety forms of art existing today.

Throughout history, definitions of sexuality within a culture are created and then changed time after time. During these changes, we have seen the impact and power one individual or group can have over others. In the Late Nineteenth Century into the Early Twentieth Century, we see multiple groups of people and or authorities taking control over the idea of sex and how they believe society is being impacted by sex. At this point in time, society had groups of people who believed they had the power to control how society as whole viewed and acted upon sex. Those particular groups and ideas changed many lives and the overall definition of sexuality within that culture.

Married Love was an unprecedented book, which inadvertently redefined female sexuality. Often regarded as the precursor of sex-manuals, Married Love launched Stopes’ enormously successful career as a writer. Published in 1918, Married Love reviewed the intertwining relationship of marriage, sex and contraception, which in Stopes’ view were the fundamental components of a fulfilling and rewarding marriage. Like all discourse, Married Love is heavily embedded within a distinct historical and cultural context. Darwinian theory and the development of eugenics had a phenomenal impact on Stopes. Recognising the equal sexual desire of women would make Married Love greatly influential in the shaping of modern perceptions into female sexuality.

Unlike twenty-first century America, ancient Greece viewed human sexuality depending on the person’s control on their sexual impulses. Bisexuality was very accepted and the most widespread same – sex relation was between an adult man and a pubescent boy. This relationship was usually just for sexual pleasure, than an actual emotional committed relationship. Like mentioned before ancient Greeks did not believe in sexual orientation rather, it depended whether the person was the penetrator or the penetrated. As a dominant male centered society, men imposed their