I saw the movie Alexander, and it's interesting to see how men having a preference for men was viewed. Is this an accurate representation of how the ancient greeks saw hmosexuality?
2006-12-04 06:24:37 · 22 answers · asked by pantocool 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Hey Sportacus,
Thanks for your question. "Gay" and "lesbian" are modern terms to define sexual orientation. That being said, did what we define as homosexuality exist in ancient Greece? You bet it did!
The first and most important point is that most ancient cultures did not define people by their sexual orientations. Homo-sexual activities were significant in ancient Greece. Far more than Alexander depicts! In fact, the movie Alexander is rather tame...having been cut down even from its original version that showed far more homo-erotic activities than the version shown in theatres.
Many Greece stories and myths depict same sex lovers and homo-erotic activities. So much so that homosexuality is more of a norm than not.
For more information, please browse the website I've listed below.
Good luck!
2006-12-04 06:32:45 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Homosexuality was not considered to be something strange in ancient times and was not criticized.The meaning of ''gay'' and ''lesbian'' did not exist.It was the form of a society.Though in most of times it did not appear to have the ''dirty'' feeling it has now days(and the people were not ''queer'' as we would say now).As it is obvious from the male fighters who were often lovers the connection was mostly spiritual and sentimental and in some cases only ,it extended in sexual practice. This is also obvious from Sappho's poems which treasure love and not sex.
As far as Alexander is concerned there is not a single ancient script that indicates that Alexander was having sexual relations with other men.In fact in a certain script by Arianos he expressed his disgust for those who practice these things.In addition it is mentioned more than once his sexual relations with several women and his love at first sight for his wife.He had a special relationship with his friend and co-fighter Hephaistion which he admired and loved and this is mistaken by many today for sexual relationship.There isn't anything holier and cleaner than the pure love between two man who are ready to die for each other and is not to be confused with modern word ''gay'' which is somehow dirty and vulgar.
2006-12-05 20:01:11 · answer #2 · answered by iguana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athenian philosophy accepted that there were four, not two sexes. Men who love women, women who love men, men who love men and women who love women. However the exclusivity that is attached to one's sexual status today was non-existent in these periods. Sex was just sex, and was viewed in a context outside of marriage, children, moral living etc. Achillies refused to fight the trojans till Agamemnon returned his slave girl yet the Illiad clearly states that he and his leftenant Patrokles were lovers. Spartan boys were attached to older soldiers who trained them for war and often were lovers as well, yet the older soldiers would have wives and children and the younger aspired to reach the age when they were allowed to marry and start a family. Many of the religious orders of the time, notably those who worshipped Diana or Dionysis, had ceremonies that were orgiastic in nature - particularly amongst priestesses. The list goes on.
However the terms gay, lesbian or straight had no meaning in ancient greece. At the risk of sounding like an adolescent pop star there was only love (in a physical sense)
Hope that helps.
2006-12-04 07:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Greeks invented it, the word lesbian comes from the Greek island of Lesbos.
2006-12-04 21:13:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,lesbian comes from the Greek island of Lesbos.
2006-12-04 06:36:19 · answer #5 · answered by michael k 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Actually yes. Homosexuality was very common in Ancient Greece. However it was more for sex, not relationships. It was mostly married men. Everyone knew it happened but nobody talked about it.
2006-12-04 06:26:01 · answer #6 · answered by dontimaginetheyllallcometrue 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ancient Greeks had personal preferences yet everyone was generally assumed to be bi-sexual. There was no stigma over your personal preference.
2006-12-04 06:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sappho loved women. Yes, she did. The ancients were a hell of a lot more accepting of homosexuality than we have been.
2006-12-04 06:27:17 · answer #8 · answered by tussinvehicle 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hey great question because i saw that movie an was wonderin the same thing i think that is is true.
2006-12-04 06:31:26 · answer #9 · answered by Nina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know it was common in both Greek and Roman empires.
2006-12-04 22:26:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋