BBC News Online: World: Europe

Love and sex in ancient Greece

In Greece it is the hottest read this summer. Everyone from academics to tourists is, it seems, lapping up "Love, Sex and Marriage - a Guide to the Private Life of the Ancient Greeks".

Forget the ancients being sexually free, "Love, Sex and Marriage" portrays the classical Greeks as being anything but liberal.

If the book is to be believed, homosexuals were frowned upon, paedophiles were punished, and masturbation was seen fit only for barbarians and slaves.

It is a thesis that debunks almost every popular perception of the ancient bedroom antics. At a time of renewed interest in the ancient world, book stores say the public cannot get enough of it.

Even the Athens Hilton - the preferred hotel for straight-laced retirees and businessmen - says its bookshop cannot keep abreast of demand for the tome, whose graphic illustrations include depictions of men and women cavorting on vases and urns.

"It takes a very different point of view to the traditional one that is held around certain sexual practises in ancient Greece," says author Nikos Vrissimtzis. "Contrary to popular opinion, that world was not a paradise for homosexuals, and paedaracy was held in such contempt that it was very heavily punished."

Mr Vrissimtzis, a sociologist who specialises in ancient Greece, wrote the book after years of work in museums and libraries, studying classical text, inscriptions and pottery.

The research proved, yet again, that the ancients saw sex as completely natural and - unlike their modern day descendants - had no inhibitions or taboos.

But, the author says, his findings also show that in the absence of religious doctrines, the ancients were ruled by social rather than moral dictates.

In an exclusively patriarchal society where only women were meant to be submissive, such strictures made life especially difficult for homosexuals.

"Homosexuals were not, as many believed, openly accepted by society. They were marginalised and punished by law," Vrissimtzis says. "For example, they could not enter the ancient Agora or participate in ranks and rituals involving the state."

The author's claims contradict the views of hundreds of western classicists. Throughout the centuries, academics have argued that homosexuality was not only socially acceptable - and rife - but actively encouraged in ancient times.

But in the book he goes even further. Social pressures were such, says the Greek author, that only the bravest of men indulged in the performance of oral sex on women, because the perceived passivity of the act was considered improper.

Masturbation was also out, although sex toys, not least ancient dildos, were regularly used by prostitutes and slaves.

"Ancient Greece was not a liberal society." Vrissimtzis continues. "The sexual habits of its people have been misunderstood due to the misinterpretation of the sources and biased Christian morality."

"Love, Sex and Marriage" is not, however, the only work to deal with the hot issue of how the ancients conducted sex. Since the onset of the 1990's there has been an explosion of books, both in Greece and abroad, on the topic.

"We've noticed this huge surge in interest in everything to do with the ancient Greeks, especially their personal lives," says Markos Voutsinos at Athens's biggest book store, Eleftheroudakis. "Forget the great philosophers, it is books about sex, women and food in the ancient world that are really selling."

Internet Links

Ancient Greek Times
Greek mythology
Ancient greeks and nature

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

In this section

Violence greets Clinton visit
Russian forces pound Grozny
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Next steps for peace
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Vodafone takeover battle heats up (From Business)
Trans-Turkish pipeline deal signed
French party seeks new leader
Jube tube debut
Athens riots for Clinton visit
UN envoy discusses Chechnya in Moscow
Solana new Western European Union chief
Moldova's PM-designate withdraws
Chechen government welcomes summit
In pictures: Clinton's violent welcome
Georgia protests over Russian 'attack'
UN chief: No Chechen 'catastrophe'
New arms control treaty for Europe
Mannesmann fights back (From Business)
EU fraud -- a billion-dollar bill
New moves in Spain's terror scandal
EU allows labelling of British beef
UN seeks more security in Chechnya
Athens riots for Clinton visit
Russia's media war over Chechnya
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Analysis: East-West relations must shift