Greek Attitudes To Sexual Behavior

By investigating the Greek attitude towards sex, K. J. Dover analyzes Greek ideals and social structures in his chapter “Classical Greek Attitudes to Sexual Behaviour.” He argues that the reason why Greek men were expected to refrain from sexual desires was because it was seen as a feminine characteristic. Women in antiquity were considered to be sex crazed and slaves to their sexual desires. Men, however, were supposed to resist their sexual desires in order to be seen as “manly and free” (Dover, 1984, 149). Dover breaks up the chapter into eight sections. He begins by defining the word eros which means love. Eros is associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Dover notes that there are many different types of love such as the love between a friend, partner, or family member (Dover, 1984, 143) He then moves on to discuss the inhibitions of sexual desire. Depictions of sex and models of human genitals were prevalent in ancient Athenian society. On one hand, the Greeks appeared to embrace human sexuality, but on the other hand it seems as if they were embarrassed by it. Male genitals were called aidos meaning “shame” or “disgrace” (Dover, 1984, 144).
Prostitutes were a part of the Greek class structure. The buying of sexual pleasure was very common. Although it was common, spending money on sex was frowned upon. It was viewed that money was supposed to be spent on other things, such as helping those who were in need, in order to bring about honor and glory (Dover, 1984, 147). Spending money on extravagance goes against the Athenian ideals Pericles claimed that they upheld during the funeral oration. “We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy; wealth we employ more for use than for show” (Thucydides, 2.40). Money was supposed to be spent to advance the family and the community and not to fulfill a person’s selfish desire (Dover, 1984,