Sexual life in ancient Rome / Otto Kiefer ; translated by Gilbert and Helen Highet.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kiefer, Otto.

Series:

Kegan Paul library of sexual life

Language:

English

German

Subjects (All):

Sex--Rome.

Sex.

Sex customs--Rome.

Sex customs.

Moral conditions.

Rome--Moral conditions.

Rome.

Rome--Social life and customs.

Rome (Empire).

Manners and customs.

Physical Description:

399 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Kegan Paul, 2000.

Language Note:

Translated from the German.

Summary:

The psychological basis of the Roman Empire was a ruthless, frequently sadistic "will to power." This impulse is highly manifest in Ancient Roman attitudes towards sex. After describing women's position in Roman society, Otto Kiefer skilfully surveys the crypto-sexual satisfaction derived by Romans from a range of activities: the sadistic treatment of slaves, savage public executions involving crucifixion and the mauling of naked, unarmed prisoners by wild beasts, and almost incredible mass-gladiatorial combats. The strong sexual element in Roman religion receives attention, as do the varying attitudes towards sex of Rome's major writers. A gallery of Emperors and Empresses complete with their often bizarre tastes, is included and Otto Kiefer takes a critical look at the notion that Rome's sexual excesses contributed to its decline and fall.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

0710307012

OCLC:

45307273