Wednesday 3 February 2010

Boys were their Gods



We went to the fabulously atmospheric Petrie Museum last night for the first of our selection of events to mark Gay History Month. In a fascinating talk, visiting US Professor Andrew Lear gave his explanation of the ancient Greek fascination with gay seduction, the adulation of the young male form by older and wealthier men. Ostensibly this could be any night out at The City of Quebec (aka "The Elephants' Graveyard"), but this is history...

Illustrating his thesis by comparing classical scenes on fragments of ancient pottery, he explained how the "youth cult" was treated very differently from pornographic art, and was in fact a widespread and accepted norm in that culture. It was a really engaging and educational evening, and we look forward to the rest of the events we have booked to attend.

And on the theme of Greek adulation...


Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

Andrew Lear's book "Boys Were Their Gods"

LGBT History Month

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