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People with a History: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans* History Sourcebook
Paul Halsall:
Greek Couples
There is no doubt that classical Greek literature frequently presents
a distinct model of homosexual eros. The proposed relationship
is between a an older man (the lover or erastes) and a
younger man (the beloved or eromenos). This ideal has much
influenced discussion of the subject, and has lead some commentators
to limit the connections between ancient Greek homosexually active
men and modern "homosexuals": old-style historians
emphasized that "homosexuality" was a phenomenon of
the upper classes, opposed to democracy, and become less common
in the more "heterosexual" Hellenistic period; modern
"cultural historians" have argued repeatedly that the
"homosexual" (conceived as an individual [or "subject"]
defined by his or her sexual orientation) is a modern "social
construction".
It is worthwhile retaining such considerations when studying the
texts about homosexuality in Ancient Greece: the proposers of
these ideas are serious scholars whose views demand respect. Nevertheless,
such views can become a rigid orthodoxy. The fact of the matter
is that there are all sorts of texts relating to homosexuality
surviving from Ancient Greece, and many of these texts reveal
that the literary ideal was not indicative of much practice; nor,
even, the only ideal of homosexual love.
Here, then are textual references for long-term (in some cases
life-long) homosexual relationships in the Greek texts.
- Orestes and Pylades,
-Orestes is the hero of the Oresteia cycle. He and Pylades were
bywords for faithful and life-long love in Greek culture.
-see Lucian (2nd C. CE): Amores or Affairs of the Heart,
#48
- Damon and Pythias
-Pythagorean initiates
-see Valerius Maximus: De Amicitiae Vinculo
- Aristogeiton and Harmodius
-credited with overthrowing tyranny in Athens.
-see Thucydides, Peloponnesian War, Book 6
- Pausanias and Agathon
-Agathon was an Athenian dramatist (c. 450-400 BCE). He was
famous as an "effeminate" homosexual. It was in his
house that the Dinner Party of Plato's Symposium takes
place.
-see Plato: Symposium 193C, Aristophanes: Thesmophoriazusae
- Philolaus and Diocles
-Philolaus was a lawgive at Thebes, Diocles an Olympic Athlete
see Aristotle, Politics 1274A
- Epaminondas and Pelopidas
-Epaminondas (c.418-362 BCE) led Thebes in its greatest days
in the fourth century. At the battle of Mantinea (385 BCE) he
saved the life of his life long friend Pelopidas
-see Plutarch: Life of Pelopidas
- Members of the Sacred Band of Thebes
-see Plutarch: Life of Pelopidas
- Alexander the Great and Hephasteion
-Atheaneus, The Deinosophists Bk 13
[If you have any more suggestions for this list, please send me
a note with a reference.]
Source.
From: original essay
This text is part of the Internet
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© Paul Halsall, 1998
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© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 15 November 2024 [CV]
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