Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents

by Thomas K. Hubbard (Editor)

The most important primary texts on homosexuality in ancient Greece and Rome are translated into modern, explicit English and collected together for the first time in this comprehensive sourcebook. Covering an extensive period―from the earliest Greek texts in the late seventh century b.c.e. to Greco-Roman texts of the third and fourth centuries c.e.―the volume includes well-known writings by Plato, Sappho, Aeschines, Catullus, and Juvenal, as well as less well known but highly relevant and intriguing texts such as graffiti, comic fragments, magical papyri, medical treatises, and selected artistic evidence. These fluently translated texts, together with Thomas K. Hubbard's valuable introductions, clearly show that there was in fact no more consensus about homosexuality in ancient Greece and Rome than there is today.

The material is organized by period and by genre, allowing readers to consider chronological developments in both Greece and Rome. Individual texts each are presented with a short introduction contextualizing them by date and, where necessary, discussing their place within a larger work. Chapter introductions discuss questions of genre and the ideological significance of the texts, while Hubbard's general introduction to the volume addresses issues such as sexual orientation in antiquity, moral judgments, class and ideology, and lesbianism. With its broad, unexpurgated, and thoroughly informed presentation, this unique anthology gives an essential perspective on homosexuality in classical antiquity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sexuality, LGBT, Queer, Greece, Historical

575 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Thomas K. Hubbard is an American historian who has written about the topic of homosexuality in Ancient Greece. He served as a professor at the University of Texas (UT) for over 30 years and worked as chair at the American Philological Association's Placement Committee.
Hubbard's 1998 article titled Popular Perceptions of elitist Homosexuality in Classical Athens became influential among critics of the phallocentric paradigm of homosexuality in Ancient Greece, promoted by Michel Foucault and Kenneth Dover, according to which the male act of sexual penetration was seen as an assertion of dominance over women, boys and other men, as opposed to a more pure manifestation of sexual desire. He is also the author of the book Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents (2003).

Reviews

[Anna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

600 pages of primary source documents. Anytime that anyone did anything gay in Ancient Greece and Rome, you better believe Thomas Hubbard put it in this collection.

Joking aside, this was such an awesome read because it's basically a survey of all Greco-Roman literature, spanning almost a thousand years. We get excerpts from epic, oratory, laws, dialogues, philosophical texts, poetry, and novels. I got to reread parts of great classics I'd read before, sample other famous texts that were blindspots of mine, and then read many, many excerpts of things I'd never even heard of. It's actually a very cool way to survey literature: to pick a single topic or focus and follow it over a vast span of time. (The fact that said 'single topic of focus' is *the ancient gays* naturally makes this soooo interesting.)

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compilation of primary sources with context added in numerous footnotes and introductory paragraphs. The less famous entries, be it from more obscure poets or street graffiti, are usually the best parts.

[Drac · Rating 5 out of 5]

600 pages of ancient gayness. I always wanted to read about Sophocles making witty gay remarks Trixie & Katya style and this book hath provided. You can open it up to any page, read for a while, and come away satisfied; I'm essentially always reading this book.

[aberamentho · Rating 1 out of 5]

'Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents', edited by Thomas K. Hubbard, is an essential compilation for anyone interested in the history of sexuality in the classical world. The book offers a broad and comprehensive collection of primary sources that illuminate the attitudes toward same-sex relationships in ancient Greece and Rome. By providing direct access to ancient texts, it allows readers to engage with the voices of authors, philosophers, and historians who shaped, and were shaped by, the cultural norms of their time.

One of the key strengths of this sourcebook is its carefully curated selection of documents. Hubbard organizes the material into thematic sections, such as Love and Friendship, Sexual Acts, and Law and Social Norms, which help to contextualize the sources within broader social and political frameworks. These documents range from philosophical works by Plato and Aristotle to legal texts and comedies by Aristophanes, offering readers a diverse perspective on same-sex relationships. The book also includes writings from Roman authors such as Cicero, Juvenal, and Ovid, all of whom provide unique insights into how sexuality was perceived and regulated across different periods of antiquity.

The editor’s introductory notes for each section are particularly valuable. Hubbard offers a succinct analysis of the context in which the documents were written, providing historical, cultural, and philosophical background that helps readers better understand the significance of the sources. This contextual framing is crucial, as the ancient world did not categorize sexual identity in the way we do today, making it essential to approach these texts with an understanding of the social structures that influenced them.

The book does not shy away from the complexity and ambiguity surrounding same-sex relationships in the ancient world. Hubbard carefully distinguishes between practices such as pederasty (the relationship between an older man and a younger boy) and more egalitarian same-sex relationships, exploring how these practices were viewed differently across time and space. It’s particularly insightful in showing that while same-sex interactions were common, they were often understood not in terms of sexual orientation but as part of social bonds that included mentorship, political allegiance, and educational exchange.

However, the book is not without its limitations. Some readers may find that the wide range of sources, while impressive, can sometimes feel overwhelming without more extensive commentary or analysis on how these sources relate to one another. While Hubbard does provide a helpful introduction to each section, some readers may desire a more cohesive synthesis of the documents that ties together the diverse perspectives presented.

In conclusion, 'Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents' is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history of sexuality. Its thorough selection of primary sources, coupled with thoughtful introductory material, makes it an indispensable tool for understanding the ancient world’s approach to same-sex relationships. By engaging with these ancient texts, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social, and philosophical complexities that shaped attitudes toward love, desire, and sexual identity in classical antiquity.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great source book and well written. It gives all those curious information we are never told at school around this subject. It has some explanatory parts at the beginning of each chapter to put things into perspective which I found to be well curated and very easy to read.

[Lulu]

Late 7th BCE-4th CE