What were the Romans' views on homosexuality?

Homosexuality in ancient Rome was a large part of society and of sexuality in general. Sex in the ancient world was considered a casual day-to-day practice with no emotional attachment, which is very different from the views of sex in modern day society. read more

It’s hard to put modern ideals on ancient societies. Homosexuality wasn't thought of in any way similarly to how it is today, in the ancient world. A man having sex with another man may be perfectly acceptable for the top or active partner (depending on social standing). read more

Homosexuality in ancient Rome often differs markedly from the contemporary West. The primary dichotomy of ancient Roman sexuality was active/dominant/masculine and passive/submissive/feminine. Roman society was patriarchal, and the freeborn male citizen possessed political liberty (libertas) and the right to rule both himself and his household . read more

Recent scholarship, though, reads the same text and finds just the opposite--that homosexuality is innate and therefore normal, moral, and biblical. Reconstructing Romans. In Romans, Paul seems to use homosexuality as indicative of man’s deep seated rebellion against God and God’s proper condemnation of man. read more