Sexual Life In Ancient Rome (Kegan Paul Library of Sexual Life) - Hardcover

Kiefer, Otto

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0710307012 ISBN 13: 9780710307019

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

About this title

Synopsis:

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 skillfully 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.

About the Author:

Otto Kiefer

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0710307012
• ISBN 13: 9780710307019
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400