Sexuality and the Symposion

Ancient Greece: City and Society

English - November 19, 2013 02:56 - 51 minutes - 29.6 MB - ★★★★ - 15 ratings
Courses Education History la trobe university history ancient history mediterranean greece ancient greece greek history gillian shepherd christopher mackie Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

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In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd takes a closer look at the ancient Greek symposion – the ritualised, male and often elite drinking party which could also be the context for sexual encounters beyond the institution of marriage – such as with hetairai (courtesans) or pederasty, the socially condoned erotic relationship between a man and an adolescent boy. Archaeological evidence – especially in the form of recognisable dining facilities and symposion-related imagery on vases – combined with a range of ancient texts provides intriguing insight into this ancient cultural practice.