Sexuality in Greek and Roman Society and Literature

by Marguerite Johnson

This second edition includes an updated review of sexuality in Greece and Rome, an expanded bibliography and numerous new passages with original translations. This book provides readers with detailed information, notes, and original translated passages on the fascinating and multi-faceted theme of ancient sexuality. The sources range from the era of Homer and Hesiod through to the Graeco-Roman world of the Fourth Century CE and explore the diversitiy of approaches to sexuality and sexual expression, as well as how these issues relate to the rest of ancient society and culture. Sexuality in Greek And Roman Society and Literature is an invaluable resource to students and academics alike, providing a detailed series of chapters on all major facets of sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome. It will particularly appeal to those interested in sexuality and gender in antiquity, as well as ancient literature and social studies.

Genres: Research, Nonfiction, History

452 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of source book I wish I had access to when I was teaching courses about gender and sexuality in the Greek and Roman worlds. The introduction is well-worth reading and adheres to the consensus about the topics and history in general. The categories the sources are listed in are easy to follow and flow well. This is NOT the total number of texts one could use to study sexuality in these cultures, but it is a useful overview. It is probably what most undergraduate college courses need and a decent start for graduate or expert explorations.

The photographs are nice but I wish they were spread out more to highlight the chapter categories. The glossaries of authors and Greek & Latin terms are good references though a touch short at points. That's why you use this in a classroom.

[meg (the.hidden.colophon) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for my Sexuality in the Ancient World class in Spring ‘25. Unfortunately, my instructor should have kept this one for her own reference and not made students read it. The audience for this is clearly lesson planners and researchers. It is well done, though.