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.
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A Crude Proposition
- Two men propositioned an enslaved man named Epaphroditus, offering to forego a thrashing in exchange for sex.
- The proposition included a crude drawing labeled with obscene Greek words.
Pederasty in Ancient Greece
- Pederastic relationships in ancient Greece were often viewed as acceptable, sometimes even idealized, especially within aristocratic circles.
- This acceptance often contrasted with disapproval of adult same-sex relationships.
Marcus Aurelius's Letters
- An 18-year-old Marcus Aurelius exchanged love letters with his 39-year-old tutor, Fronto.
- These letters, rediscovered in the 19th century, revealed an erotic relationship within a context of mentorship.
