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Modern labels like “straight” and “gay” don’t map neatly onto ancient Greek culture. While same-sex relationships were considered normal and even expected, there were still taboos and rules of proper behavior. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores the courtship rituals and sexual practices that characterized the most accepted forms of Greek homosexuality.

Attention: This episode contains explicit descriptions of sex acts. Listener discretion is advised.

For visuals illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 19 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com.

Reading Suggestions:

Greek Homosexuality by K.J. Dover

The Greeks and Greek Love by James Davidson

One Hundred Years of Homosexuality by David M. Halperin (collection of essays)

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Imagine a state where no citizen works for a living; where children are kept hungry to encourage them to steal; where the most powerful military force in the known world is reluctant to fight far from the city for fear of a slave revolt at home. Such a place was ancient Sparta. In this episode, host Scott Emmons traces the legendary origins of the Spartan state, the wars that shaped its military tradition, the educational system that trained its citizen soldiers, and the unique “mixed” constitution that drew the admiration of historians and philosophers.

For maps and visuals to supplement this episode, check out Episode 18 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com.

Reading Suggestions

Xenophon, Constitution of the Spartans

Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus, Spartan Customs, and Sayings of Spartan Women

Aristotle, Politics (relevant passages)

Paul Cartledge, Sparta and Laconia

Nigel M. Kennel, Spartans: A New History

Sara B. Pomeroy, Spartan Women

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No one was writing history in Greece during the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. But that doesn't mean we have no voices speaking to us from that time. Fragments of works by early Greek poets can provide real-time commentary on the social and political upheaval of their times. In this episode, host Scott Emmons observes the struggles of the early polis through the eyes of two aristocratic poets, Theognis of Megara and Alcaeus of Mytilene.

For maps and images, check out Episode 17 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com.

Reading Suggestions:

A History of Greek Literature by Albin Lesky (chapters on Theognis and Alcaeus)

Greek Lyrics, translated by Richmond Lattimore

Greek Lyric, Vol. 1: Sappho and Alcaeus, translated by David A. Campbell (Loeb Classical Library)

Greek Elegiac Poetry, translated by Douglas E. Gerber (Loeb Classical Library)

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