Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview
Descriptions of Ancient Persian male homoeroticism come mainly from Classical sources, which, however, seem to present divergent testimonies regarding this practice. Some authors apparently provide proof for its widespread acceptance, whereas others, particularly later authors, emphasized its prohi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de Brasília
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Archai: Revista de Estudos sobre as Origens do Pensamento Ocidental |
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| Online Access: | https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/archai/article/view/13167 |
| _version_ | 1826907806696996864 |
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| author | Matheus Treuk Medeiros de Araujo |
| author_facet | Matheus Treuk Medeiros de Araujo |
| author_sort | Matheus Treuk Medeiros de Araujo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Descriptions of Ancient Persian male homoeroticism come mainly from Classical sources, which, however, seem to present divergent testimonies regarding this practice. Some authors apparently provide proof for its widespread acceptance, whereas others, particularly later authors, emphasized its prohibition. Considering the many difficulties involved in the reconstruction of Persian history through the eyes of classical Greeks and Romans, this article aims to provide a brief overview of the subject, with some clues to the question of the origin, form, and tolerance of same-sex love in Achaemenid Persia. We agree that homoerotic practices were attested and likely accepted at some level in Achaemenid Persia. However, we believe that the evidence available to us is not enough to obtain a full understanding of this phenomenon. It is also stressed that not every Greek or Roman reference to Persian male homoeroticism should be taken at face value, as some are distorted and fictitious or lack firsthand knowledge. Finally, we briefly address the image of eunuchs as sexual partners of Achaemenid kings.
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| first_indexed | 2025-02-17T09:12:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fdde63da2bfc4a95bb2207e1b00282bc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2179-4960 1984-249X |
| language | deu |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-17T09:12:19Z |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de Brasília |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archai: Revista de Estudos sobre as Origens do Pensamento Ocidental |
| spelling | doaj.art-fdde63da2bfc4a95bb2207e1b00282bc2025-01-02T15:12:47ZdeuImprensa da Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de BrasíliaArchai: Revista de Estudos sobre as Origens do Pensamento Ocidental2179-49601984-249X2024-10-013410.14195/1984-249X_34_15Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overviewMatheus Treuk Medeiros de Araujo0Universidade de São Paulo – São Paulo – SP – Brasil Descriptions of Ancient Persian male homoeroticism come mainly from Classical sources, which, however, seem to present divergent testimonies regarding this practice. Some authors apparently provide proof for its widespread acceptance, whereas others, particularly later authors, emphasized its prohibition. Considering the many difficulties involved in the reconstruction of Persian history through the eyes of classical Greeks and Romans, this article aims to provide a brief overview of the subject, with some clues to the question of the origin, form, and tolerance of same-sex love in Achaemenid Persia. We agree that homoerotic practices were attested and likely accepted at some level in Achaemenid Persia. However, we believe that the evidence available to us is not enough to obtain a full understanding of this phenomenon. It is also stressed that not every Greek or Roman reference to Persian male homoeroticism should be taken at face value, as some are distorted and fictitious or lack firsthand knowledge. Finally, we briefly address the image of eunuchs as sexual partners of Achaemenid kings. https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/archai/article/view/13167homosexualityAchaemenidsPersiaHerodotuseunuchs |
| spellingShingle | Matheus Treuk Medeiros de Araujo Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview Archai: Revista de Estudos sobre as Origens do Pensamento Ocidental homosexuality Achaemenids Persia Herodotus eunuchs |
| title | Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview |
| title_full | Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview |
| title_fullStr | Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview |
| title_short | Male homoerotic practices in Achaemenid Persia: an overview |
| title_sort | male homoerotic practices in achaemenid persia an overview |
| topic | homosexuality Achaemenids Persia Herodotus eunuchs |
| url | https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/archai/article/view/13167 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT matheustreukmedeirosdearaujo malehomoeroticpracticesinachaemenidpersiaanoverview |