Sexuality in Greek and Roman Culture

Marilyn B. Skinner is Professor of Classics Emerita at the University of Arizona. Her research has focused on notions of gender and sexuality in the ancient world. She is the author of Clodia Metelli: The Tribune’s Sister (2011), and co-editor of Narrating Desire: Eros, Sex, and Gender in the Ancient Novel (with M. P. F. Pinheiro and F. I. Zeitlin, 2012), and The New Sappho on Old Age: Textual and Philosophical Issues (with E. Greene, 2009).

• List of Illustrations and Maps xiPreface to the Second Edition xiiiPreface to the First Edition xvAcknowledgments xviiiAbbreviations xixChronological Charts xxviiMaps xxxiiIntroduction: Why Ancient Sexuality? Issues and Approaches 1Thinking about Sexuality 3Sex Changes 4Checking the Right Box 8Davidson and his Critics 12The Language and Ethos of Boy-love 13Foul Mouths 19Conclusion 23Discussion Prompts 24Notes 24References 25Further Reading 271 The Homeric Age: Epic Sexuality 29The Golden Goddess 30Dynamics of Desire 35The Baneful Race of Women 37Love under Siege 40Receptions of Helen 43The Beguilement of Zeus 45Alternatives to Penelope 46Achilles in the Closet? 51Conclusion 53Discussion Prompts 54Notes 55References 55Further Reading 572 The Archaic Age: Symposium and Initiation 58When the Cups are Placed 59Fields of Erotic Dreams 62Singing as a Man … 67… and Singing as a Woman 71Boys into Men 74Girls into Women 84Sappho on the Lips of Men 89Conclusion 91Discussion Prompts 92Notes 93References 96Further Reading 993 Late Archaic Athens: More than Meets the Eye 101Out of Etruria 102Lines of Sight 106Birds of a Different Feather 108Flirtation at the Gym 109Party Girls 118In the Boudoir 127Bride of Quietness 129Conclusion 131Discussion Prompts 133Notes 134References 136Further Reading 1384 Classical Athens: The Politics of Sex 139More Equal than Others 141Pederasty and Class 146Interview with the Kinaidos 154In the Grandest Families 161What the Neighbors Might Think 166Criminal Proceedings 167His and Hers (or His) 170Conclusion 176Discussion Prompts 177Notes 177References 179Further Reading 1825 The Early Hellenistic Period: Turning Inwards 184Court Intrigues 188Who Is Buried in Philip’s Tomb? 192Medicine and the Sexes 194From Croton to Crete 198Safe Sex 203Athenian Idol 208Conclusion 214Discussion Prompts 215Notes 215References 217Further Reading 2206 The Later Hellenistic Period: The Feminine Mystique 221Disrobing Aphrodite 222Hellenes in Egypt 226Love among the Pyramids 230New Gods for Old 236To Colchis and Back 238Desiring Women – and their Detractors 241Conclusion 245Discussion Prompts 247Notes 247References 249Further Reading 2527 Early Rome: A Tale of Three Cultures 253The Pecking Order 256Imported Vices 259Bringing Women under Control 261Butchery for Fun 269What a Piece of Work is a Man! 270Conclusion 274Discussion Prompts 274Notes 275References 277Further Reading 2798 Republican and Augustan Rome: The Soft Embrace of Venus 280Only Joking 282Young Men(?) in Love 286Sulpicia unveils Herself 291Mother of All Empires 293Domestic Visibility 303Going too Far 306Conclusion 309Discussion Prompts 310Notes 311References 312Further Reading 3149 Elites in the Empire: Self and Others 315Risky Business 317Boys named Sue 322Them 324Roads to Romance 329Rock-star Rhetoric 329‘Greek Love’ under Rome 334Roads to Nowhere 338Conclusion 344Discussion Prompts 345Notes 345References 347Further Reading 34910 The Imperial Populace: Toward Salvation? 350The 99% 353Gravestones and Walls 355In the Eye of the Beholder 361The Warren Cup 368“O Isis und Osiris …” 370Christian Continence 377Things Fall Apart 380Conclusion 383Discussion Prompts 385Notes 386References 389Further Reading 392Afterword: The Use of Antiquity 393Glossary of Terms 398Index 411