Sexual Life In Ancient Rome
by Otto Kiefer
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Description
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 show more 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. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A reasonably important book in 20th century classics studies but, nevertheless, all of the previous reviews are correct: not really that interesting, clearly motivated by the author's own prejudices, and seemingly more reactionary than factual. Nevertheless, a neat part of my Classics collection.
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Sex in the past
26 works; 4 members
Author Information
3 Works 174 Members
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Sexual Life In Ancient Rome
- Original title
- Kulturgeschichte Roms unter Besonderer Berücksichtigung der Römischen Sitten
- Original publication date
- 1933
- Original language
- German
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Anthropology, General Nonfiction, Sexuality and Gender Studies
- DDC/MDS
- 301.41 — Society, government, & culture Social sciences, sociology & anthropology Sociology and anthropology Formerly: Social structure
- LCC
- HQ13 .K55 — Social sciences The family. Marriage, Women and Sexuality The Family. Marriage. Women Sexual life
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 171
- Popularity
- 190,913
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.06)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 11
