Consummated Rape in the Ancient World

Rape, as a concept did not exist in the ancient world.  But there were rapes, hundreds, thousands of them.  Rape by husbands, by strangers and by gods.  Women did not have the right not to consent. Their bodies were the property of the men in their lives.

Whether that man was her father, her husband, her uncle her brother or son – if she were raped it was an insult to his honour – not to the honour of the woman.  She was a possession.  And if another man damaged it [her] it was a slight on its owner’s honour.  Worse than that, if she lived, that dishonour would remain in place.  But if she died, preferably by her own hand, then the honour of her owner was restored.

This seminar follows the history of heterosexual and homosexual rape in the ancient world in from Homeric times, through Greece when it was so normal that it appeared on vases – into Rome when it was the usual plot line in comedy.  We will look at the issue in the real world – in myth, in comedy and in the law. Please note that we will be discussing topics and looking at images that some people may find upsetting.


Rape in the Ancient World
This seminar follows the history of heterosexual and homosexual rape in the ancient world in from Homeric times, through Greece when it was so normal that it appeared on vases - into Rome when it was the usual plot line in comedy.  We will look at the issue in the real world – in myth, in comedy and in the law. Please note that we will be discussing topics and looking at images that some people may find upsetting.
Price: £35.00

For more information and to book go to: www.ginamay.co.uk/, email events@ginamay.co.uk, call Gina on 07828199547