Relative sexual freedom in ancient greece

Question 1

Who were a man’s potential sexual partners in ancient greece

Answer 1

1. erastes/ eromenos
2. Wife(s)
3. prostitutes
4. slaves

Question 2

Explain what is meant by prostitute

Answer 2

There were 2 main types:
1. prostitutes for sex
2. courtesan - who engaged in intellectual discourse to provide entertainment so not necessarily for sex

Question 3

Who was the most important sexual partner to a man in ancient greece

Answer 3

The wife as she could provide legitimate children

Question 4

Where were men likely to meet these potential sexual partners in ancient greece

Answer 4

Men would frequently attend symposia where they could enjoy sexual intimacies with their erastes/eromenos, slaves or prostitutes who were brought in for entertainment.

symposia the pl. of symposium

Question 5

explain what is meant by symposium

Answer 5

A symposium was a drinking party with only male guests. There would be discussions, games and entertainment provided by prostitutes and slaves.

Question 6

Who were a woman’s potential sexual partners in ancient greece

Answer 6

1. Husband(s)
2. Other women e.g. friends/ slaves - the key being that they were female. This is important as don’t want illegitimate children.

Question 7

What were the prevelant types of relationships in ancient greece and why

Answer 7

There were no exclusive male-male or female-female relationships. Everybody was expected to marry and have children

At this time marriage only existed between a man and woman no other.

Question 8

Define and explain pederasty in ancient greece

Answer 8

A socially acknowledged educative and erotic relationship between an adult male (20s or older) and a younger male (usually in his teens). Among the Greek elite this practice was not only socially acceptable but even a prestigious practice (when done properly). Fathers wanted their young sons to be chosen by a very wealthy and well respected erastes.

Question 9

Outline who the adult male in a pederastic relationship was

Answer 9

The adult male was in his 20’s.
He was known as the erastes - the lover.

memory tip: ERA = long time. ERAstes - older

Question 10

Outline who the younger male in a pederastic relationship was

Answer 10

The younger male was between 13 and 20
Known as the eromenos - the beloved

Question 11

Outline the role of the erastes in a pederastic relationship

Answer 11

The Erastes is the ACTIVE participant.
He would pursue the eromenos, e.g. in the gymnasium.
The erastes would provide a sound education for his eromenos in things such as politics, philosophy, rhetoric and social customs.
The erastes would also shower his eromenos with gifts like a chicken, but not with money

Question 12

Outline the role of the eromenos in a pederastic relationship

Answer 12

The Eromenos was the PASSIVE participant
He was chosen for his beauty and in return for a good education he would provide his erastes with sexual release. This was supposed to take the form of interfemoral sex. It was not supposed to be enjoyed by the eromenos, it was purely for the pleasure of the erastes.

interfermoral = between the thighs

Question 13

What happened to the pederastic relationship after the 20s

Answer 13

Once a man was too old to be the erastes of an adolescent boy (late 20s) he could become the eromenos to an older man. However, often these relationships would lose the sexual dimension amd would become purely educational.

Question 14

Explain the ancient greek attitudes towards adultery

Answer 14

It was a legal obligation for a man to divorce his wife if she commited adultery. If he didn’t he could be prosecuted and deprived of citizen rights.
Adultery threatened the security of paternity within the oikos and so it was a crime also against the state.
A man had the legal right to kill a man if he found him in bed with his wife.