Sexual Orientation
The Greeks did not have a concept of homosexuality or heterosexuality. Men were assumed to be attracted to both men and women. To express a preference for just one sex was considered eccentric. The most widespread and socially significant form of same-sex relations in ancient Greece was between adult men and adolescent boys although relations between adult men did exist. However, they were not as common as adult men and adolescents. The ancient Greeks did not see sexual orientation as a social identifier like many of the western societies have in the past and still do. Greek society did not distinguish sexual desire or behavior by the gender of the participants but by the role that each participant played in the sexual act. This was associated with active or passive penetration corresponding with dominant and submissive social roles. The active role (dominant) was associated with masculinity, higher social status and adulthood. The passive role was associated with femininity, lower social status, and youth. Youths were considered to be able to participate in sex around their mid teens which was the age girls were considered ready for marriage. It was acceptable for youth boys to be in same-sex relationships until they could grow a full beard. Although sex between men seemed fine to participate in, sex between women was illegal and socially taboo. Most people chose to believe that did not happen.
The Greeks did not have a concept of homosexuality or heterosexuality. Men were assumed to be attracted to both men and women. To express a preference for just one sex was considered eccentric. The most widespread and socially significant form of same-sex relations in ancient Greece was between adult men and adolescent boys although relations between adult men did exist. However, they were not as common as adult men and adolescents. The ancient Greeks did not see sexual orientation as a social identifier like many of the western societies have in the past and still do. Greek society did not distinguish sexual desire or behavior by the gender of the participants but by the role that each participant played in the sexual act. This was associated with active or passive penetration corresponding with dominant and submissive social roles. The active role (dominant) was associated with masculinity, higher social status and adulthood. The passive role was associated with femininity, lower social status, and youth. Youths were considered to be able to participate in sex around their mid teens which was the age girls were considered ready for marriage. It was acceptable for youth boys to be in same-sex relationships until they could grow a full beard. Although sex between men seemed fine to participate in, sex between women was illegal and socially taboo. Most people chose to believe that did not happen.