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Long before the Greek and Roman artists depicted and described the most
intimate aspects of human behavior the ancient Egyptians had been practicing their sensual expression for centuries. Erotica flowed
through all levels of society like the waters of the Nile and although
the evidence is scarcer it is no less potent.
Ancient Egyptians believed that life, sexuality and rebirth were elements that went hand in hand.
Marriage
seems to have been a voluntary affair and for the most part monogamous -
mainly because polygamy, whilst not illegal, was expensive.
Adultery was considered a serious crime and carried severe punishments including the cutting off of the nose.
There
is no doubt that prostitution flourished in ancient Egypt and that it
played it’s part in the scheme of things, whether it was being carried
out at one of the well established pleasure houses, or under the
guidance of the temple.
During the reign of the Pharaoh
Akhenaten, known as the Amarna period, the king is regularly portrayed
as a woman with small breasts, narrow waist and rounded hips. And,
sometimes, it is difficult to tell him apart from his beautiful wife,
Nefertiti.
The reputation of Egyptians as an incestual race is
not a strictly deserved one. Although there are clear cases of royal
families marrying close relatives it must be understood that this was
done to secure the royal blood line and preserve peace and legitimacy,
rather than for debauched reasons.
Love poems and erotic texts
are numerous and it is obvious that the ancient Egyptian man was not
afraid of demonstrating his love. He speaks through tales of gods,
poetry, dreams and wisdom books.
Egypt, like many others societies, was strong on symbolism, for example the lotus flower and the mandrake represented love.
Roman sex fantasy.
