Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Erotic Letters of Ancient Rome
Jan 21, 2025
Owen Hodkinson, an Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Cultures at Leeds University, dives into the fascinating world of ancient erotic letters. He explores how the Romans exchanged intimate thoughts, comparing these to today’s sexting. Discover the emotional depth and societal norms behind these ancient communications, the intriguing parallels with Pompeii's graffiti, and Ovid's nuanced love letters. Hodkinson also addresses the lack of historical voices for women's same-sex desire, shedding light on Sappho’s legacy and the evolution of romantic expressions over time.
40:18
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Quick takeaways
- The evolution from historical erotic letters to modern sexting highlights a significant shift in personal expression and intimacy over time.
- Analyzing ancient love letters uncovers complex power dynamics and ethical considerations around consent that remain relevant in contemporary relationships.
Deep dives
The Lost Art of Handwritten Letters
Handwritten letters, especially erotic ones, represent a lost art form in modern communication, which often relies on text messages and digital exchanges. Historically, people conveyed their deepest desires through meticulously crafted written correspondence, even when literacy rates were low. These letters served as intimate expressions of longing, distinct from the more casual forms of digital communication prevalent today. Consequently, the evolution from handwritten letters to modern sexting reflects a significant shift in personal expression and intimacy.
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