Did (Imaginary) Cinaedi have Sex with Women?

Abstract

This chapter considers the question of whether or not the Romans imagined cinaedi as a category of individuals defined, in part, by their lack of interest in engaging in sexual activity with women. It argues that although the Romans assumed normal men could be interested in homoerotic as well as heteroerotic encounters, one defining feature of the cinaedus was an exclusive preference for homoerotic sex. It argues further that this assumption operates independently of the use of cinaedus as a reproach for men who are not, in fact, thought to be cinaedi.

Publisher

Brill

Publication Date

8-30-2023

Department

Classics

Document Type

Book Chapter

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004548381_010

Notes

Mnemosyne Supplements: Monographs on Greek and Latin Language and Literature, volume 475, Chapter 8

ISBN

9789004548381

Language

English

Format

text

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