Sex in Ancient Greece

Given the close proximity of naked young men fighting in the Gymnasium it is not surprising that Greek society was highly sexually charged.

Men were expected to have sex regularly in order to sharpen the mind. If they were married they needed to have sex with their wives at least three times a month to stop their womb drying up and wandering around their body. There were other options for men. They could have sex with a geisha girl, a mistress or even a prostitute. Of course, men would also and free reign to have sex with his female slaves. There was little equality for women as adultery was considered worse than rape. Anal sex was unacceptable between the husband and wife but accepted with prostitutes and others

Sex went beyond men women relationships, it was common place for pederastic relationships between adolescent boys and young men governed by strict rules. Boys as young as fourteen entered sexual relationship with unmarried men willingly. The young man was expected to shower gifts and educate the young boy in the ways of the world, sexual and otherwise. Once the boy reached post adolescence or the man reached a marriageable age the relationship would need to end.

A whole culture was built around the beauty of the male physique - both the focus of exercise and toning of the body, the display of the body at the Gymnasium and the artistic representation of the male body. On the other hand Greek women are often depicted fully clothed, covered head from the neck down. Virginity was highly prized so the desexualization of women was key.