Sex on show: seeing the erotic in Greece and Rome

Abstract

The Greeks and Romans were not shy about sex. Drinking cups, oil-lamps and walls were decorated with scenes of seduction and sexual intercourse which could make the modern viewer blush; models of penises were worn around the neck or hung from doorways. How are we to make sense of this abundance of sexual imagery? Were these images seductive, shocking, humorous? Were they about sex or love? And what and how do we learn from them? 'Sex on Show' answers these questions by embracing ancient attitudes to religion, politics, sex and gender to examine how the ancient saw themselves and their world.

Contents

I. Sex, Love, Seduction -- II. Exposure -- III. Fantasy -- IV. Divine Encounters -- V. Fatal Attraction -- VI. Desire For The Antique.