Which ancient people were gay

It's also been speculated that Alexander had been besotted with a Persian eunuch named Bagoas. Some times were more enlightened than others. But what many people still may not realise is that numerous great figures from very long ago were known to have been gay or bisexual.

Upon waking to realise Dong was resting on the sleeve of his robe, the emperor chose to cut off the sleeve rather than risk disturbing his lover. Most Recent.

Homosexuality in ancient Greece

Living in the 25th century BC, Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum were servants to a Fifth Dynasty pharaoh rather than rulers themselves. Both “homosexual” and “homosexuality” are modern terms that were created in the late nineteenth century concerning the study of abnormal psychology.

According to an oft-told story, the pair fell asleep one afternoon in the same bed. And not just any man: his squeeze was said to have been King Nicomedes IV of Bithynia, an ancient kingdom located in modern-day Turkey. But the pair, who were head manicurists in the royal household, deserve mention in any discussion of queer culture in the ancient world.

The ancient Athenians emphasised the supposed age difference between the two by portraying Patroclus with a beard in paintings and pottery, while Achilles is clean-shaven, although Achilles was an almost godlike figure in Greek society.

In any case, Antinous remained a celebrated figure for thousands of years, feted by Oscar Wilde and many other writers and poets. Read more about Ancient History The army of same-sex lovers who made up Sparta's biggest rivals.

Some believe they were most likely brothers. But what many people still may not realise is that numerous great figures from very long ago were known to have been gay or bisexual. Reigning in the 1st century BC, he had a celebrated love affair with Dong Xian, a minor court official whose closeness with the emperor propelled him to become one of the most influential figures of his time.

However, they were depicted as such by some writers in the later classical greek period. Here are 5 top LGBTQ couples from ancient history. He racked up three wives, while also perhaps finding time to have affairs with men.

Emperor Ai lavished Dong Xian with money and gifts, including a residence so elaborate it was said to rival the imperial palace. Synonymous with the famous wall erected during his reign to mark the northern border of Roman Britain, the Roman Emperor Hadrian was also known for his widespread tours through his lands, and for his deep love of Greek culture and history.

Read more about Kings and Queens. There are not even words in the ancient languages which translate to the modern-day "homosexual" and "heterosexual" which were only coined in CE. The Greek term arsenokoites, translated as "homosexual" in the Bible for the first time in CE, never existed until it was coined by St.

Paul in his epistles I Timothy and I Corinthians The actual translation is "male beds" and. Yet it was a more low-key anecdote about the couple that achieved lasting notoriety. The most.

Homosexuality in Ancient Egypt

There have been huge debates about the true nature of the connection between the men. Julius Caesar The most iconic of all the Ancient Romans, Julius Caesar is famed for many things: his incredible military successes, his rise as a dictator, and his bloody assassination at the hands of his own senators.

A cult grew around the young man, and there was even a city built in his name: Antinoopolis. King of Macedonia, empire builder, and one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, Alexander the Great amassed many achievements in his short life.

However, given the clear affection shown in the art, and given how rare it was for two men of equal standing to be buried together like this, many believe Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum are in fact the first gay couple in recorded history. The most iconic of all the Ancient Romans, Julius Caesar is famed for many things: his incredible military successes, his rise as a dictator, and his bloody assassination at the hands of his own senators.

Hephaestion, a Macedonian general, was so intensely close to Alexander that their friendship was compared to the bond between legendary Greek heroes Achilles and Patroclus. Read more about Ancient History. After being marginalised and brushed over for so long, the true stories of LGBTQ+ people throughout history are now increasingly being brought to light.

The imagery shows the men embracing, holding hands, touching noses, and perhaps kissing. Many ancient Chinese emperors had same-sex relationships and one of the most notable examples was the Emperor Ai of the Han dynasty. Hadrian made no secret of his deep passion for his beautiful male consort, but their relationship came to a tragic end when aged just 19, Antinous drowned while sailing with the emperor on the River Nile.

The way we categorize sexualities and make distinctions now is different from ancient times. LGBTQ relationships are as old as humanity.