Being Gay in the Roman Army? #shorts #history #rome

The answer is related to broader ideas regarding sexuality in the ancient world. For the Romans, records show that they were less concerned with the gender of partners so much as they were worried about who played the active role. Free male citizens were expected to be dominant in all relations, be they with men or women, in order to preserve their virtue.

Thus the Roman army would punish troops who engaged in homosexual relationships with each as it necessarily followed that one party would be taking the submissive and thus shameful role. BUT these same soldiers were free to engage in same-sex relationships outside of camp with those of lesser status such as slaves, youths, or social infamis. Roman commanders do seem to have had some leeway here and we have numerous reports of their same-sex relations while on campaign.

Stay tuned for a full episode as we dive into the history of Rome's Gay Emperors. What other How They Did It episodes should we do next?

[ajarofmayonnaise]

“It’s not gay, if you’re on the top”
—Roman proverb

[d.esanchez]

So they didn't say "that's gay" they said "that's passive".

[LaughableSynonyms]

"Father, I'm a sub!"
"No son of mine will ever be a bottom!"

[exudeku]

"That Greek Bussy makes me acting unwise"
-Nero

[thegraytemplar]

It was a common Slander technique in Rome to claim a high class Roman was a bottom. In fact a common phrases referring to Caesar by his enemies was “He was ever woman’s man, and every man’s woman.”

[averongodoffire]

“My homie acting pretty Sub dude…”
-some Roman

[riccardocarretta]

Gays now: omg i love you so much

Gays then: *STFU B O T T O M*

[Nick-ijnt]

"Ay bro, why you acting so submissive?🤨 Someone's gonna think you're a slave or something."

[juanjuri]

rome's position on homosexuality was basically "what the fuck is 🥺 use your words I don't speak bottom"

[faraszdzaki]

The romans litterally said "If there is a hole, there is a goal"

[yeoss]

Even to this day, bottoms are still oppressed 😞

[Mateus_Pereira_Silva]

They litteraly went like "you look pretty submissive and breedable"

[LEARSIKCIGAM]

“it ain’t gay if you are the one getting bl**n” — some dude I know

[dhjeew]

"I'm a giver, not a receiver. I'm not a fag.." ~Ronnie Kray, Legend

[liondovegm]

"Don't make babies behind enemy lines, make connections."

[ethanbarganier]

So the upper class was literally screwing the lower class. What’s that? It’s till happening today?? Oh right

[dfmrcv]

To quote Markiplier: "it's not about sex, it's about power."

[nowgoawayanddosomethinggoo]

"...bros before ho's"
-motto of legio fabulusca.

[roach]

Nero was so incredibly enamoured with a young boy's feminine looks, its said that he resembled Nero's wife so much, he had him castrated and dressed him in women's clothing and took him as his new wife.

[realrealwarpet]

Man, these romans were such prudes. Role reversal is my favorite kink XD