Homosexuality in Ancient Rome?

Question

What's some concepts and information on homosexuality in ancient Rome? Did it ever occur between women or was it just men? Please post info. Thanks.

How did social status affect the relationships?

Answer 1

As men were, for the most part, of higher social status than women in ancient Rome, we have more information about men. We further have far more information about high status (elite) men from ancient Rome than we do about ordinary individuals.
Homosexuality was not approved of in the early days of Rome. By the imperial period, it had gained acceptance, especially as the Romans became more and more interested in and imitative of Greek culture. However, it was considered shameful to be on the "receiving" end of a sexual encounter. That is, a Roman man of status was not to act as a woman, or so it was perceived. (Sorry for the euphemisms, but I'd rather not have someone freak out and report me.)
The male form, especially the young male form, was considered ideal by some Romans (and it had been by many Greeks). However, it seems that homosexuality activity did not necessarily make one a "homosexual" in many ancient societies, including Rome. Rather there was more of a continuum of sexual practice and preference. I suppose "bi-sexual" would be the best modern term that would fit. And elite Roman men did have a responsibility to ensure the continuance of their families, thus necessitating them having sex with women, even if only for the reason of procreation.
Given that interest seems to focus on male-male relationships rather than female-female relationships in the modern western world - or at least that lesbian relationships seem to be more "acceptable" to many people, there seems to be relatively little scholarly work available on ancient lesbian relationships as compared to ancient homosexual (male-male) relationships. Again, this is also probably additionally due to the fact that we tend to have more information about men than women in ancient societies.

There is a bit of information and a very few references on wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_ancient_Rome
There is also a fairly decent bibliography available at:
http://www.infopt.demon.co.uk/bibancie.htm

Answer 2

1) Yes it was very common. If you look at art from back in that time period, there is a lot of evidence of this. Also pederasty was common. That was when an older man was in a sexual relationship with adolescent boy. 2) There were no openly gay emperors. But there are rumors of some leaders like Alexander the Great being a homosexual. 3) I would say Ancient Greece and Rome. Being in a gay relationship was common but some of course didn't like it. Although you said "male" homosexuality lesbians were common and accepted. Saphos was a famous lesbian poet in Greece. I think today it's more acceptable for gays to be in a monogamous relationship. Ancient Greece/Rome men were more concerned with sex.

Answer 3

Homosexuality was common amongst Ancient Romans, but not talked about. It was mainly older men indulging themselves with younger, those younger men often becoming 'clients' and obtaining things like political patronage and other civic favours. There is a good discussion of the subject in the recent book 'Pompeii, The Living City' by Butterwoth and Laurence pub (UK) 2005

Answer 4

It was more common beetwen men. But during the Empire this kind of practice dissapeared eventually, it was just a heritage from the Greeks.
An orgy was based more on the food than on the sex.

Answer 5

The Romans were all about indulgence. Orgies were not uncommon, so I would think it safe to say that it occurred between women as well as men.

Answer 6

It was common in both genders, but especially among men as soldiers would be on campaign for long periods of time.

Answer 7

At the time you are on about it had nothing to do with homosexuality, It was male rape in the first instance on young boy's and babies and then forcing them to work in the hot steam rooms of the time when they were older. I believe that it still goes on in parts of Rome.

Answer 8

Friends,Romans,Countrymen .... lend me your REARS.