Strange customs of the sexual life of the ancient Greeks

Each era has its own customs and traditions. It is possible that our customs, centuries later, will seem strange to someone, especially those that relate to the intimate side of life. After all, it is she who always arouses the greatest interest among descendants. Let's look at what unusual happened in the sexual sphere among the inhabitants of Ancient Greece.

Ancient methods of contraception were often not only strange, but also dangerous to health and life. The Greeks were no exception and often used poisonous infusions and animal droppings. But among their methods there were simply ridiculous and meaningless ways to protect against unwanted pregnancy.

For example, one such method was “contraceptive sneezing.” It was believed that if a woman sneezes immediately after intercourse, it could prevent pregnancy. It is unknown where this idea originated, but in ancient Greek sources one can find references to the fact that sneezing was considered a kind of “magical” action that could change the course of events.

The famous ancient doctor Soranus gave the following simple recommendations on this matter:

In ancient Greece, kissing was a common part of friendly gatherings, regardless of the gender of the participants. However, intimate kisses between spouses, especially in public, had a completely different color. The Greeks did not practice kissing on the lips in public places, which was considered a violation of decency. Men who allowed themselves to do this were ridiculed and considered henpecked, unable to control their feelings and emotions.

Kisses between spouses were limited to bed and one specific occasion - when the husband returned home. But this was not done because the husband missed his wife. The husband had to make sure that in his absence she did not abuse... wine. Kissing his wife in public could be perceived as an accusation of alcoholism, adding an additional element of social pressure and control to their relationship.

Selling love in Ancient Greece was not only not condemned, but was also an important part of public life. Prostitution, including same-sex prostitution, was considered the best way to rid men of accumulated aggression and prevent reckless and dangerous acts. And a visit to ladies of easy virtue was considered simply a useful form of cultural leisure.

Prostitution has reached such a level of integration into public life that it has become part of government administration. The authorities opened brothels, offering affordable prices compared to private establishments. In these government institutions it was possible to obtain not only sexual services, but also escort - accompaniment to important events.

Beautiful women working in such establishments entered into formal contracts, and the number of their lovers was regulated by law. Thus, prostitution in Ancient Greece was not just the norm, but also part of the social and cultural structure of society.

One of the most revered holidays among the Greeks was Dionysia - a festival in honor of the god of wine and fertility Dionysus, which lasted several days. As a sign of respect for the deity, a solemn procession was organized - a pomp. This is where the expression “carry out with great pomp” comes from.

During the procession, young beauties carried gifts in the form of jugs of wine and phallic-shaped bread. Walking nearby were young men carrying giant phalluses made from scrap materials. After the official part, they ate bread, drank wine, and it all ended with a sexual orgy.

The ancient Greeks were completely unfazed by depictions of sexual acts and genitals. Stone or clay penises often decorated the entrances of houses, symbolizing fertility and attracting good luck. By the way, this custom is still practiced in Bhutan. In this Buddhist country, male genitals are everywhere, which often confuses tourists.

In Ancient Greece, the sculptures that decorated streets, houses, temples and public buildings were also very realistic. We are accustomed to seeing marble and bronze “stuff” of gods and heroes. Imagine that once all these beauties were expertly painted!

Everyone knows well how harsh the inhabitants of Ancient Sparta were. Masculinity was so highly valued there that before the wedding, the bride's head was shaved and then dressed in men's clothing. Researchers have long argued about the reasons for this approach to marriage.

As a result, we came to the general opinion that there was no mysticism in this ritual. The bride was dressed as a man to make it easier for the brutal warrior husband, unaccustomed to female society, to approach his beloved. Later, when the relationship improved, the wife regained her feminine appearance.

If you are familiar with ancient Greek mythology, you have probably noticed that heroes and gods constantly commit violence against someone. Usually the victim was kidnapped to be violated out of lust, for educational purposes, or simply out of harm, and then released.

In real life, the Greeks imitated the gods by not overly restraining their sexual impulses. Rape was not considered a serious crime—more like petty hooliganism. The exception was cases when a married woman became a victim of violence. In this case, the culprit faced serious punishment, including the death penalty.