8.3 Same-sex love and relationships in ancient literature and art

Ancient Greek and Roman societies had complex attitudes towards same-sex relationships. In Greece, male same-sex love was often accepted and even celebrated, especially in the form of pederasty between older men and younger boys.

Roman views were more ambivalent, with stricter expectations around gender roles and power dynamics. These ancient attitudes have influenced modern LGBTQ+ culture, inspiring art and literature while also highlighting differences in how sexuality was understood.

Male same-sex love in ancient Greece

Pederasty in ancient Greek society

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• Ancient Greek literature and art frequently depicted male same-sex love and relationships, especially between adult men and adolescent boys in a practice known as pederasty
• In ancient Greek society, pederastic relationships were often viewed as a means of educating and mentoring young men
  • The older partner (erastes) took on the role of teacher
  • The younger partner (eromenos) took on the role of student
• Pederastic relationships were seen as a rite of passage and a way to educate and mentor young men in the ways of Greek culture and society

Representations of male same-sex love in literature and art

• The works of ancient Greek poets, such as Sappho and Theognis, often celebrated the beauty and virtue of male same-sex love, using language and imagery that emphasized the emotional and spiritual aspects of these relationships
• Visual representations of male same-sex love can be found in various forms of ancient Greek art
  • Vase paintings, sculptures, and frescoes often depict intimate scenes between male lovers
• The myth of Zeus and Ganymede, in which the god Zeus abducts the beautiful young man Ganymede to serve as his cupbearer and lover on Mount Olympus, was a popular subject in ancient Greek art and literature, symbolizing the idealized pederastic relationship
• The Symposium, a philosophical text by Plato, features a series of speeches praising the virtues of male same-sex love
  • The character Aristophanes presents the famous myth of the "two-bodied" humans who were split apart by the gods and forever seeking their other half

Female same-sex love in antiquity

Sappho and the celebration of female same-sex love

• The Greek poet Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BCE, is perhaps the most famous example of an ancient writer who celebrated female same-sex love in her poetry
  • Sappho's poems, written in a unique meter now known as "Sapphic" meter, frequently describe the beauty and allure of her female companions, as well as the pain and longing associated with unrequited love
  • Sappho often expressed deep emotional and erotic connections between women in her poetry
• The term "lesbian" derives from Sappho's association with the island of Lesbos, where she lived and wrote her poetry

Other representations of female same-sex love in literature

• The Roman poet Ovid, in his Metamorphoses, tells the story of Iphis and Ianthe, two young women who fall in love with each other
  • In the tale, Iphis is raised as a boy due to her mother's deception and eventually transforms into a man through divine intervention, allowing the couple to marry
• The Dialogues of the Courtesans, a series of fictional conversations written by the Greek author Lucian in the 2nd century CE, includes a dialogue between two courtesans named Leaena and Clonarium
  • The courtesans discuss their sexual experiences with both men and women

Same-sex relationships: Greece vs Rome

Social acceptance of male same-sex relationships in ancient Greece

• In ancient Greek society, particularly in Athens, male same-sex relationships were widely accepted and even celebrated as a means of fostering social, intellectual, and military bonds between men
• Same-sex relationships between adult men, known as "eros" or "philia," were common and often coexisted alongside heterosexual marriages and familial obligations

Ambivalence towards same-sex relationships in ancient Rome

• Ancient Roman society had a more complex and ambivalent attitude towards same-sex relationships, particularly in terms of the power dynamics and social roles involved
• Roman men were expected to take on the dominant role in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships
  • The passive partner, whether male or female, was often viewed with contempt and associated with effeminacy and weakness
• Same-sex relationships between men of equal social status were less common and less socially acceptable in Roman society compared to ancient Greece, as they challenged traditional gender roles and power structures

Gender and power dynamics in ancient same-sex relationships

• Both ancient Greek and Roman societies viewed same-sex relationships through the lens of gender and social hierarchy
  • The active/dominant partner was assumed to be masculine
  • The passive/submissive partner was considered feminine, regardless of their biological sex
• While same-sex relationships were generally more accepted and celebrated in ancient Greek culture, they still existed within a patriarchal society that prioritized male dominance and female subordination

Ancient influences on LGBTQ+ culture

Rediscovery and reinterpretation of ancient same-sex love stories

• The rediscovery and reinterpretation of ancient Greek and Roman same-sex love stories and artwork during the Renaissance and beyond has had a significant impact on the development of modern LGBTQ+ literature and art
• Many LGBTQ+ writers, artists, and activists have drawn inspiration from the works of ancient authors like Sappho and Plato, finding in their words a sense of validation and historical continuity for same-sex love and desire
  • The poetry of Sappho has been embraced as a symbol of lesbian identity and empowerment, with her name and image being invoked in countless works of modern LGBTQ+ literature and art
  • Plato's Symposium, with its philosophical discussions of same-sex love and the myth of the "two-bodied" humans, has also been a key influence on modern LGBTQ+ thought and creativity

Challenging traditional gender norms and sexual categories

• The use of classical mythology and imagery in modern LGBTQ+ art and literature serves to challenge and subvert traditional gender norms and sexual categories
• Drawing on ancient same-sex love narratives allows LGBTQ+ individuals to claim a sense of historical legitimacy and cultural belonging for their identities

Limitations and complexities of ancient influences

• It is important to recognize that ancient Greek and Roman understandings of same-sex love and relationships were not identical to modern LGBTQ+ identities and experiences
  • There are limits to the comparisons and analogies that can be drawn between ancient and modern same-sex relationships
• The influence of ancient same-sex love narratives on modern LGBTQ+ culture is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the enduring power of these stories and the ongoing struggles for recognition and equality in contemporary society