Chapter 1: Same-Sex Desire in the Ancient World

A Student's Guide to Essential Primary Sources
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Abstract

There is a vast gulf between modern and ancient conceptions of sexuality. Contemporary labels of sexual identity are products of quite recent cultural and psychological frameworks. They cannot be mapped onto the kaleidoscopic cultures of the ancient world. While it is often advisable to avoid making broad generalizations about past societies, it can generally be said that ancient cultures saw little need to label individuals based on the gender of their sexual or romantic partners.

Author(s): Ross Smeltzer, Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet, Dallas Independent School District

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