On Sat, 30 Nov 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Sorry to change the title of my reply, but the other one had plenty of
> airtime. I believe that Peter Brown (in "Body and Society") sees the classical
> condemnations, and some early Christian, of homosexuality as rooted in an
> aversion to becoming "feminine", i.e. being the "passive" recipient of
> intercourse. Certainly there is evidence for this being the problem in that
> marvelous article (whose name escapes me) about Viking insults. All rooted in
> fear of a diminished "masculinity". Regards, Terry
>
Another source for possible classical antecedents is T. P. Wiseman's
little book, _Catullus and His World_, esp. chapter one, entitled "A World
Not Ours." He deals specifically with Roman notions of sexuality and
violence and concludes that what was shameful in Roman culture was for a
man to submit to playing the role of a woman, i.e., be penetrated
sexually.
Mark Williams Internet: [log in to unmask]
Classics Department Voice: (616) 957-6293
Calvin College Fax: (616) 957-8551
Grand Rapids, MI
USA 49546
"Ideo nobis non subrepat superbia, quasi pro nostris meritis
aliquid acceperimus, dum filii irae fuimus." -Alcuin
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