“Homosexual Relationships” of the Roman Imperial Period depicted in Archeology and Literature of Ancient Rome

Abstract

In the ancient Roman world the same sex sexual attraction can be seen in various perspectives but there was no distinction between homosexuality and heterosexuality. It was defined by the behavioural mannerisms. In the imperial period of Rome, these sexual pleasures towards the same sex varied from slaves to the highest positions in the administration. The physical attractions were common among people and also used for political manipulation. The main objective of this research study is to examine how the archeology and literary evidence depict the nature of the homosexual relationships in the Roman Imperial period. This research study focuses on the archeological and literary evidence by observing Art and Literature of ancient Rome (From the 1st century AD to 15th century AD of the Imperial period). There exists archeological evidence such as art, sculpture, murals and mosaics which emphasize homosexual relationships in the Roman society. The Imperial writers such as Tacitus, Juvenal, Gaius Petronius and Ovid have recorded such relationships which took place in the contemporary period. These sources represent how the ancient Roman society depict sexual relationships and to what extent it has affected its art and culture. This research study will prove that homosexuality was common in the Roman society and it will provide guidance for modern scholars in studying the antiquities of Ancient Rome and the Imperial period of Ancient Rome.