I grew up north of Hadrian’s Wall, but just south of the more short-lived Antonine Wall that bisects modern Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our university trips were couched in the rise and collapse of the Roman Empire. Our historical sense of time and place moulded by Hadrian, who managed the Empire from the era of its greatest extent, and left a rocky ruin across the Scottish lowlands. But on our doorstep too were the ghosts of the Fall. Viking settlements that spurred the Celtic Gaels and warring Picts to unite and form up-to-date Scotland. The battlefields of Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge, monuments to a nation which longed for recognition from the Pontifex Maximus down in Rome. These memories were our night trips and family outings.
Growing up Scottish is to live between two walls of history. The glorious past and the crumbling present. Growing up gay is similar, but the other way around. The ‘gay’ past haunts us like a spectre, shadows of persecution and disease run sharp but invisible nails up our spine, so we attachment to the ‘it gets better’ we hope will come to pass.
Maybe it will or it won’t get
Gay Roman Emperors – Ancient Taboos vs Modern Perspectives
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Step into the captivating nature of Gay Roman Emperors – a historical tapestry woven with intrigue, fire, and political finesse.
We unravel the remarkable tales of three iconic rulers: Trajan, Hadrian, and Elagabalus.
As we delve into their lives, we’ll contrast the attitudes towards homosexuality in the ancient Roman era and the new world.
Understanding Homosexuality in the Roman Empire
In ancient Rome, the perception of homosexuality was vastly different from contemporary views. Roman sexual norms were more concerned with the dynamics of dominance and passivity than traditional gender roles.
The idea of the “active” partner, often referred to as the “dominant,” held a significant place in Roman sexual relations.
In contrast, the “passive” partner, who assumed the “submissive” role, was seen as less socially acceptable.
These roles in Roman homosexual relationships were not determined by the gender of the individuals involved but rather by the power dynamics at play.
Thus, the re
Achilles: A Love Story
February 3, 2012
This review was originally written for the Converse Its Name web site:
The Greek era has always been one of my favorites for historical adoration . Perhaps it’s because Mary Ranault’s Alexander books were the first historical novels with a gay bent I ever read, or maybe it’s just because it was a day when love between men was not only standard, but almost expected. So I had high, perhaps unreasonable, hopes when offered "Achilles: A Love Story".
This is the story of Homer’s Iliad, re-told from the point of view of Antilochus, a prince, the son and heir of King Nestor of Pylos. The young prince has formed a sort of obsession with the already famous Achilles, who is only two years older. Antilochus comes off as a bit of a stalker at first, determined that one night he will meet the object of his craving, and they will instantly become lovers.
Then comes news of the impending war. Kind Agamemnon comes to Pylos to enlist King Nestor’s support in the war against Troy. Nestor somewhat reluctantly agrees. He and Odysseus then commence on a tour of the other Greek states to garner their sustain . One of the stops is to be Pythia, where the support of King
During the time of the Republic, Roman citizens had the right (libertas) to protect their bodies from physical coercion, including both corporal punishment and sexual violence. Roman society was typically patriarchal and masculinity was based on the principle of governing not only oneself but also other persons, especially those from the lower class.
Roman cup representing a homosexual sex scene.
It was socially acceptable for a free-born Roman to have sex with a woman or a gentleman assuming a dominant role. Both women and adolescent men were perceived as natural objects of longing. Outside of marriage, a man could have sex with slaves, prostitutes (who were usually slaves) and the so-called infames (the restricted man). It did not matter with which gender the Roman indulged in until he did not exceed certain social norms. For example, it was immoral to include sex with another citizen’s free-born wife, his daughter by marriage, his underage son, or the bloke himself.
During imperial times, the fear of losing political freedom and submitting to power to the emperor led to an raise in the frequency of free-born men assuming a passive position du
