Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome by LJ Trafford

Author:LJ Trafford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Aciant / Rome
Publisher: Pen and Sword History
Published: 2021-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Which I think we can all agree is quite possible with Ovid. Perhaps some poor girl he tried chatting up at the Circus was after revenge.

At the milder end of the magic spectrum you might consult a dream interpreter on the meaning behind the nocturnal lustings of your mind. Artemidorus has a whole section on dreams about sexual intercourse. Dreaming of sex does not signify that you will be getting any shortly with the object of your affection, sadly. The penis, for example, symbolises both parents and children because of the seed it contains, so says Artemidorus. To dream of having it away with your willing wife is deemed to signify good fortune, while bad fortune is signified when the wife is unwilling.

To dream of having sex with someone you desire is deemed good practise for the real thing, says Artemidorus, ‘Often a dream of this kind has helped the dreamer when coping with the mystery of woman, since the woman in such a dream also allows him to touch her secret parts.’7

To dream of held torches at night-time if you are young signifies ‘love with pleasure and effect’. Walking upon the sea was another dream that was a portent of good things to come in your love life. However, to dream of running in a race for women foretold of a future working as a prostitute, and as we saw in an earlier chapter, anything involving intercourse with your mother indicated all manner of awfulness in your future life. These types of services were available to all and used by all, whatever their means.

The wealthy could afford to have an in-house soothsayer or astrologer, as the Emperor Tiberius did in the shape of Thrasyllus, whom he kept in his household to be available whenever the emperor needed a consultation. Although Tiberius soon soured on Thrasyllus and astrologers in general, banishing them from the city unless they renounced their profession. Perhaps Thrasyllus had been a little too honest about Tiberius’ fortunes.

Although the utterances of soothsayers, astrologers and dream interpreters were very popular and a resource used by many, they were not free from criticism or cynicism. In a comic play by Plautus, a character’s complaints about his wife include her hiring of magical specialists: ‘Give me some money to make preserves; give me something to give on the Quinquatrus to the sorceress, to the woman who interprets the dreams, to the prophetess, and to the female diviner.’8

Similarly, Martial is fed up with paying a witch to exorcise the bad dreams his friend is having, ‘Nausidianus, for our friendship’s sake. Either dream of yourself or stay awake.’9

Unsurprisingly, arch cynic Juvenal has much to say about these types of people and the women – and it does appear to be primarily women – who hire them:

No astrologer lacking a criminal record possesses any talent,

[She] will consult him about the lingering

Death of her jaundiced mother (she’s asked about yours already),

When she’ll bury sister and uncles, and whether her lover will

Outlive her; what greater

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