Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome

by L J Trafford

Overview

From Emperors and empresses, poets and prostitutes, slaves and plebs, Ancient Rome was a wealth of different experiences and expectations. None more so than around the subject of sex and sexuality. The image of Ancient Rome that has come down to us is one of sexual excess: emperors gripped by perversion partaking in pleasure with whomever and whatever they fancied during week long orgies. But how true are these tales of depravity? Was it really a sexual free for all? What were the laws surrounding sexual engagement? How did these vary according to gender and class? And what happened to those who transgressed the rules?

We invite you to climb into bed with the Romans to discover some very odd contraceptive devices, gather top tips on how to attract a partner and learn why you should avoid poets as lovers at all costs. Along the way we’ll stumble across potions and spells, emperors and their favourites and some truly eye-popping interior decor choices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526786876
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	11/05/2021
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	522,998
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

L.J. Trafford studied Ancient History at the University of Reading after which she took a job as a Tour Guide in the Lake District.

Moving to London in 2000 she began writing ‘The Four Emperors’ series. The series comprises four books – Palatine, Galba’s Men, Otho’s Regret and Vitellius’ Feast – which cover the dramatic fall of Nero and the chaotic year of the four emperors that followed.

She is a regular contributor to The History Girls blog and once received an Editor’s Choice mark from The Historical Novel Society. Her proudest moment remains creating #phallusthursday a popular Twitter hashtag dedicated to depictions of penises in antiquity.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations viii

Introduction x

Chapter 1 Language 1

Chapter 2 Controlling Desire: A Brief History of Morality Laws 7

Chapter 3 Ideals: The Virtuous Man 16

Chapter 4 Ideals: The Chaste Woman 26

Chapter 5 Neither Male nor Female 43

Chapter 6 How to be Sexy: Beauty and Fashion 55

Chapter 7 Finding Love: Courting on the Streets of Rome 74

Chapter 8 Getting Down to Business: Sex 81

Chapter 9 Sexual Problems and Solutions 88

Chapter 10 Love Hurts: When Love Goes Wrong 98

Chapter 11 Managing Affairs of the Heart: Religion and Magic 103

Chapter 12 Adultery 116

Chapter 13 Homosexuality 140

Chapter 14 Undesirable Partners 156

Chapter 15 Sexual Imagery 179

Chapter 16 The Sex Life of Emperors 188

Author's Note 197

Notes 198

Bibliography 206

Index 208