Ancient Greece

Lesson 5: Athenian Society

Sex and Sexuality in Athens

One aspect of classical Athenian society which modern students definitely do find ‘enlightened’ is in the attitude towards homosexuality.

Not only was male homosexuality considered to be acceptable by the Athenians, it even seems to have been actively encouraged. The dialogues of Plato are full of allusions to male homosexual love.

The most well-known such reference is in the Platonic dialogue known as the 'Symposium'. Here the general Alcibiades describes his attempt to seduce Socrates (which ends in his being disappointed) in no uncertain terms.

Although there seems to have been no stigma associated with male homosexuality among the Greeks, it would be wrong to assume that this was the primary sexual focus among Athenian men.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the majority of Athenian men were actually heterosexual and enjoyed physical relations not only with their wives but also with courtesans and with prostitutes.

  1  2  3  4  5  6  7