Was (were) the nation(s) of Rome largely gay?

Question

Was it ok to be gay in Rome? Legally and morally.

Answer 1

Many people believe that is was accepted in Rome, but it was accepted for the most part to have a young boy around, but it was not acceptable to do such things with a mature male. The Greeks were usually more accepting of homosexuality, but even there some cities it was not acceptable for the two to be adults.

If you look at Roman history, most gay relationships that were overlooked were with one older man, and a boy. The most famous would be Hadrian and his plaything Antinous. Antinous drowned in the Nile and the whole empire grieved with Hadrian, (many cities minted coins deifying the youth). However, situations like Elagabalus being with multiple men was scandalous, and likely led to his downfall.

One thing that is hard to do is to put yourself in Rome's moral mindset. Romans were very moral, they just had a different set of morals than we do now. Just as if we like to look at things they accepted that to us seem horrible, they would be shocked by many things we do and accept. A couple of examples would be how are children behave, and our adoration of actors. To Romans, an actor was one of the lowest professions, and should never be admired.

Answer 2

From my history lessons what I have learned is that the romans were very open with the ideas of sexual relationship. What happened since then to change all this one can only guess. I do know that in many of the romans, and spartan armies gay acts and love were indeedd encouraged. One it kept the men happier. It also encouraged a brotherhood. One would always fight stronger fro someone by thier side they had aromantic interest in, than someone days away that they had not seen in months.

It would seem odd that such acts that were accepted and encouraged so many years ago, are now so shamed in today's society. In the USA soldiers are kicked out of the military. It is a shame the USA is suppose to be the leader in the world today, yet we are so closed minded.

We should learn from our history books. We too often repeat the mistakes of the past.

For the record I am a military historian, former USAF officer, and a gay man.

Answer 3

Roman society was not tolerant of homosexual behavior, but, like today, it was acknowledged as behavior that did occur and could not be eradicated.
You may be confusing Rome with Greece, where it was more acceptable within Greek society. It was integral part of Spartan society.
Thebes had the Sacred Theban Band which was a band of 150 pair of homosexual soldiers. They fought Alexander to the last man. Theory is that each man would fight to save his mate and to avoid disgrace in the face of his "brothers". Apparently it worked.

Answer 4

If you were a free Roman citizen you could be the dominant partner for slaves and freedmen. it was a disgrace to receive from your social inferiors. the Greeks, at least the aristocratic ones used to lust after young boys. It was a kind of mentoring sugar daddy thing and was perfectly acceptable to Greek society. They even had the idea that gay soldiers fought better because they were fighting alongside their lovers. look up the sacred band of Thebes.

Answer 5

It was very accepted in ancient Rome to be gay. I think many were bi-sexual, but I'm sure there were plenty of gays and lesbians there too.

Answer 6

I guess the greeks were gay not romans. and I would alos like to say that most of the gladiators who we believe we gay have been brought from other countries.

Answer 7

Yes, believe it or not, it was okay to be gay, bi, whatever in ancient Rome AND Greece.

Answer 8

Sex was an excepted part of the Roman Culture. Bath Houses, Prostitutes, etc. Bi sexual would be a better discription.

Answer 9

actually it was encouraged in the military. Basically the belief was that soldiers would fight harder for a partner/lover (another soldier) in order to protect each other.

they did that in Sparta as well.

Answer 10

no one cared, except the little boys, no one even thought to question the "legality and morality" of it, they had better things to do.,