Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome

Description

From Emperors and empresses, poets and prostitutes, slaves and plebs, Ancient Rome was a wealth of different experiences and expectations. None more so than around the subject of sex and sexuality. The image of Ancient Rome that has come down to us is one of sexual excess: emperors gripped by perversion partaking in pleasure with whomever and whatever they fancied during week long orgies. But how true are these tales of depravity? Was it really a sexual free for all? What were the laws surrounding sexual engagement? How did these vary according to gender and class? And what happened to those who transgressed the rules? We invite you to climb into bed with the Romans to discover some very odd contraceptive devices, gather top tips on how to attract a partner and learn why you should avoid poets as lovers at all costs. Along the way we’ll stumble across potions and spells, emperors and their favourites and some truly eye-popping interior decor choices. Cover Book Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Introduction Chapter 1: Language Chapter 2: Controlling Desire: A Brief History of Morality Laws Chapter 3: Ideals: The Virtuous Man Chapter 4: Ideals: The Chaste Woman Chapter 5: Neither Male nor Female Chapter 6: How to be Sexy: Beauty and Fashion Chapter 7: Finding Love: Courting on the Streets of Rome Chapter 8: Getting Down to Business: Sex Plate Section Chapter 9: Sexual Problems and Solutions Chapter 10: Love Hurts: When Love Goes Wrong Chapter 11: Managing Affairs of the Heart: Religion and Magic Chapter 12: Adultery penetrate an anus – irrumare – to penetrate forcibly a mouth.The gender was Chapter 13: Homosexuality Chapter 14: Undesirable Partners Chapter 15: Sexual Imagery Chapter 16: The Sex Life of Emperors Author’s Note Notes Bibliography Index