Homosexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome Essay example

Homosexuality has had a long battle through America, the thought of homosexuality was a mental disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-II Code 302 Sexual Deviation Sub-Section 302.0 Homosexuality. It stays “this category is for individuals whose sexual interests are directed primarily toward objects other than people

The repeated emphasis on honor, wisdom, and virtue is a recurring theme throughout greek homosexual relationships. The archetypes of the two male partners: the younger lover known as the ‘beloved’ (eromenos) and an older lover (erastes). Cantarella asserts that “love relationships, were also, in fact, intellectual ones that in some ways saw the beloved as the disciple and the lover as the master of life, ethics and civic education” (Cantarella, 8). It will come as no surprise that such relationships were especially prevalent among the upper class and were considered a denotation of wealth and station.

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

Persecution of these individuals has been around in this country since shortly after America was discovered in 1492 by Columbus. In 1566 the first execution for same-sex activities occurred in what is now Florida by the Spanish ("LGBT History in the United States: A Timeline" [LCBT], 2014). In 1778 the American Army discharged Gotthold Enslin for sodomy. Even the term “homosexual” has been around since 1869 when psychologist Karoly Maria Benkert developed it. Then in 1924 The Society for Human Rights was organized and has been recognized as the first gay rights organization in America (LCBT, 2014).

“You’re gay,” a term now used so freely to not only insult peers but to take a stab at the homosexual community. But was this homosexual stigma always prevalent in history? Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Roman state ruled most of the known world. During those five hundred years, emperors rose to power and fell, a republic formed and was destroyed but what perhaps is one the most important aspects of Roman society is free love.

Homosexuality was never favored upon and still isn’t to this day. Discrimination against homosexuality started a long time ago. It was pronounced illegal in many cultures and religions. Many homosexuals would face the death penalty for breaking the laws and many were blamed for natural disasters such as earthquakes, because homosexuality was not favored. It is said that in ancient Greek culture that the physical attraction was considered

In the non- fiction book Homophobia: A History, author Byrne Fone explains, “In the last years of his life, around 350 B.C.E., Plato wrote his final major work, the Laws, in which he [displays favor of] the argument that homosexual behavior is unnatural” (Fone 34).

Similarities and differences can be found between ancient Athenians and today’s western world and their attitudes towards sexual behavior – the most prominent difference being the Athenians goal of moderation and the western

Jeremias (pronounced ‘hE-rE-Me-as) grew up in a working class environment, one in which functions primarily on ideals of patriarchy, and authoritative styles of leadership from parents, teachers, and coaches. These ideals are what manifest the local system of valuation in environments such as this one, and as such they are what shape the attitudes about paramount matters, such as ethics, religion, politics, relationships, and society at large. As a result, Jeremias once spent some time in his adolescent years pursuing conservative Christian beliefs, a mindset inspiring him to safely render homosexuality as immoral and therefore not entitled to having a status equal to heterosexuality. In spite of being a high school dropout, Jeremias felt strongly that he did indeed know what is objectively right and objectively wrong about matters of fact within the social sphere. Fast forward, seventeen years where Jeremias is now an adult, and is now a college graduate, in addition to pursuing an advanced degree in philosophy. It follows that Jeremias no longer accepts any of the so called values he once did accept, albeit without question. Jeremias now fully endorses equality for homosexuals; in fact, he once received a serious reprimand from a faculty member at his conservatively bent undergraduate institution for defending the idea of equality for homosexual couples from a self-professed evangelical peer, whilst in class.

Views on homosexuality were based on Christianity, which views homosexuality as unnatural, a violation of natural law, immoral, and condemnable. When we use the word “natural”, we have to deal with how ambiguous it is. In nature, it can either mean one of

While the concept of homosexuality did not exist in the United States, changes were happening in Europe with the issue. Right around the 1870's affectionate relationships between males acquired a label.

A major reason for the fear and objection towards homosexuality is organized religion. Whether we notice it or not, we as humans follow many everyday concepts from the Bible. Examples would be, to not steal, murder, or commit adultery in marriage. The Bible also states that homosexuality is unethical and should be avoided as other sins. These are all great to follow, if you conform to the rules of the Bible. Religious back up should not be used in order to deem something wrong or unethical. It is essential to understand, to deem homosexuality ethical or not, rational decision-making must occur. One must analyze the pros and cons; if the pros outweigh the cons, homosexuality is ethical, and visa versa. One who explicitly follows an organized religion must follow the rules of a higher power (God). Getting rid of this obstacle will leave room for autonomous decisions on homosexuality, and eventually its place in good ethics.

Homosexuality is not a 20th century situation but has been in history from the age of ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and even China. The attitude toward homosexuality always has been a variable, depending on the social, cultural and morality, or even the political development (Barnecka et al., 2005). Back in Greek history the concept of relations between two men was seen as the highest form of love, whereas the Judaic view always was against and frowned upon these relations considering it immoral and illegal. However, when the Roman rule was destroyed and the Christians took over Europe, homosexuality was seen as perverse (Woodward, 1997).

The overall approval was accredited to early societies defining gay behaviors as suitable and normal, making the societal definition a good one.

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