David and Jonathan: A Secret Biblical Bromance? Some like R. S. Bian… I agree with your statement that trying to make heterosexuality fit while ignoring evidence seems to go against the core of what scientific research is about. I also thought that incest in Ancient Egypt is very interesting. In their mythology, even the gods experienced/dealt with homosexual sexual tension and situations. ], Available at: http://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/saoc37.pdf, Dollinger, A., 2003. Were these men gay because the engaged in homosexual acts? It was a long post, and definitely worth the time. An Ancient Egypt and Homosexuality question wrapped in to one! They were buried together in their joint royal tomb, and depicted intimately touching noses. I will definitely be reading the links you embedded in the text! Then Horus placed his hands between his thighs and received Seth's semen. However, men were not granted a free pass: it has been recorded that in some communities cheating husbands would experience social stigma for their actions. Risen once more thanks to Osiris, Sasenet seeks to set the story straight--that totally he isn't. Marriage: Brother and Sister 198. about Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated! This tale alludes to the relationship between Osiris and Ra, the later rising to fulfill his duties as a sun deity at the end of their nightly embrace. The Ancient Egyptians have a history of using birth control; different methods can be found in the Kahun Gynecological Papyrus. I thought it was great how they were some of the first to practice birth control as well. The Accidental Mummy: the discovery of an impeccably preserved woman from the Ming Dynasty, Remembering the Barbary Slaves: White Slaves and North African Pirates. I think it was great how much time you put into your article! Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep []. In 1967, Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin spotted, and filmed, or so they claimed, a Sasquatch next to Bluff Creek in California. Did the ancient Egyptians fear these gods? Kungagraven – A Grave Fit for a Nordic Bronze Age King, But Who Was Buried Inside? Once before the house, Neferkare ‘threw a brick after stamping with his foot. As to whether or not two women could be stigmatized for being in a relationship, it is unknown. However, this is under the biphobic suggestion that these two men must be monosexual. Still, sexual rumors have always existed and, in this way, historical... King Arthur is one of, if not the, most legendary icons of medieval Britain. Their Origins May Surprise You, Do you dare enter a fairy ring? Premarital sex between two siblings was strange, but it was not considered taboo. Some have suggested this reflects a homosexualrelationship although it is disputed that the text relates to Pepi II at all. King Tutankhamen is shown on a chest using a bow, an event in which the Pharaoh would ceremoniously ejaculate into the Nile, one can see a woman seated on a vase to pleasure herself, male extramarital affairs with unmarried women, Seth and Horus have had a long history of one-upsmanship, tries to assert his dominance over Horus by having sex with him, This tale alludes to the relationship between Osiris and Ra, The Ancient Egyptians apparently engaged in bestiality often, even after death a person still had sexual power. One form of contraception included the use of acacia gum, about which it has since been learned that when compounded it essentially becomes spermicide. I could add, if you like reading old text some stories as the one of King Neferkare and general Sasenet. By putting Horus in the “womanly” or passive position, Seth would have elicited the anger of the other gods towards Horus. A Mystery, Locked in Timeless Embrace. It is well established that Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep shared the title of Overseer of the Manicurists in the Palace of King Niuserre. Only a small number of pharaohs were immortalized in ancient fiction, Pepi II may be among them. Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep from their joint mastaba (tomb) at Saqqara, Egypt. There are instances in the Egyptian literary sources which may be interpreted as depicting homosexual relations (usually between males rather than females). Rather than believing that they were in a romantic and/or sexual relationship, the theory was immediately proposed that these two were merely brothers–nothing else. It was interesting that they were proactive and knew different remedies to act as spermicides even back then and even in their harsh environment. Their mythology relies heavily on sexual themes, and there are many (possible) coded messages and euphemisms about sex riddled within the art itself. [Online]Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie/visit/trails/AlternateSexualities, Lyon, A., 2014. Individuals could freely pursue sexual relationships so long as both parties were unattached. Osiris Isis Ankh Nekhbet Wadjet Pharasite Serket Horus Thoth Anubis Apophis Sobek Bastet Hathor Ayah Kassis Onuris Minmose Metronome [Online]Available at: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/niankhnumt.htm, Johnston, J. J., 2010. Historians and egyptologists alike debate what kinds of views the ancient Egyptians' society fostered about homosexuality. ( Public Domain ) After swearing the “Negative Confesion” (having not committed any of the 42 sins), the deceased’s heart would  be weighed to test the validity of their confession. (Edit 10/26/14: Didn’t finish my thought on lesbianism!). Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods.... Read More. Their behavior often goes against the western ideas of how a god acts. The story goes that a man named Tjeti saw Neferkare walking somewhere during the night and decided to follow him. Restored, Isis has sex with her husband and thus conceives Horus. The deep, emotional relationship that bonded David and Jonathan is related in the books of Samuel. This tale, which is quite likely to be fictional, is about King Neferkare’s (known also as Pepi II) nightly exploits at the house of General Sasenet: “Then he (someone called Tjeti) noticed (?) He had spent a further four hours in the house of general Sasenet. Others consider it to be purely pornographic and that it was used as such. Lesbianism, on the other hand, has little to no evidence whatsoever in Ancient Egypt. The text does not state explicitly the thing that the pharaoh was doing with his general, though “that which he had wanted to do with him” is thought to be an indirect way of saying ‘sexual intercourse.’ If the pharaoh was indeed engaged in a homosexual relationship with his general, then it serves to reinforce the negative attitude of the ancient Egyptians towards this sexual practice. To understand this part of the myth, one has to bear in mind that Horus and Seth (also known as Set) were constantly engaged in a sort of rivalry. What can be gleaned from this story is that it was not homosexual relations themselves that were looked upon negatively but, like in Ancient Greece, the partner in the “passive” role who was disdained. A more than likely fictional tale from either the 18th, the 19th or the 25th dynasty, Neferkare was a pharaoh and Sasenet was one of his generals. The Tale of King Neferkare and his General Sasenet, originating from the Middle Kingdom, tells of how Pepi II would creep from his palace at night and climb into the house of his general, Sasenet, and would leave before dawn. Created and owned by Matthew Werner. It is a little weird that they held onto dead bodies for a few days sometimes to make sure people would not copulate with the deceased. Primary sources from the period are largely silent on the subject of same-sex love, and the principal evidence, which is open to interpolation, comes from just three areas: a myth about the gods Horus and Seth, a historical tale about Pharaoh Neferkare and his general Sasenet, and the excavated tomb of court officials Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Less crudely made, the infamous Turin Erotic Papyrus shows scenes of either animals or humans in various sexual acts and positions. Then a ladder was lowered to him (and) he climbed up. Wootz steel was amongst the finest in the world. Quite interesting! [Online]Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/20/science/a-mystery-locked-in-timeless-embrace.html?_r=1, Wu Mingren (‘Dhwty’) has a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology. While tolerance is often presented as a sign of civilization’s advancement, a reading of Greek mythology reveals greater acceptance of homosexuality in ancient Athens than can be boasted within today’s world religions. In the ancient world, the public were not so privy to information about the scandalous sex lives of central societal figures. Neferkare and Sasenet. Tjeti, son of Henet, stood still thinking as follows: 'If it is so, then the rumors about him going out at night are true.' This helped to create the belief that even after death a person still had sexual power, which if unspent could wreak havoc. Proudly powered by WordPress. I need an Egyptian mythology sitcom about these two. They are depicted embracing in the same manner as heterosexual couples, which carries the same connotations of closeness in the context of sexual relations. The Story of King Neferkare and General Sasenet . Beyond this, the Ancient Egyptians did not seem to be terribly shy about sex. In the class we covered large portions of history in Europe and the US but we did not cover Ancient Egypt so I was excited to read your post. The tale only exists in fragments, and its meaning is still debated. Only a small number of pharaohs were immortalized in ancient fiction, Pepi II may be among them. How Pyramids Are Pointing to Former Geo Poles, Alignment of the Pyramids of Chichen Itza, What's your favourite Fairy Tales (and their possible origins). His popularity has lasted centuries, mostly thanks to the numerous incarnations of his story that pop up time and time again. Then he reached the house of the general Sasenet. Some like R. S. Bian… I did not want to pass judgement or try to explain their ways of life through the eyes of a modern day westerner. I did however, find the idea of necrophilia a little disturbing. Neferkare and Sasenet A piece of broken pottery depicting a man having sex with another man Wikicommons. Only after his majesty had reached the Great House, life, prosperity, health, Tjeti went home. “I have not done wrong sexually, I have (not) practiced homosexuality”. Both could have been attracted to multiple genders or sexes, and so may have had a romantic and/or sexual attachment to their wives and each other. of Ptahhotep, the Tale of Horus and Seth, and the Tale of Neferkare and Sasenet. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog this week. (On Hunter X Hunter) neferpitou was born a FEMALE!!! The Contendings of Horus and Seth. about Exposing the Secret Sex Lives of Famous Greeks and Romans in the Ancient World, The Frightening Discovery of the Mount Owen Claw. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exists countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. They didn’t necessarily give the go ahead for people to be in a homosexual or lesbian relationship per se, but they did not persecute them as would be seen all throughout the Middle Ages until quite recently. In the tale of King Neferkare and General Sasenet, three fragments of a papyrus dating from the late New Kingdom (although the story may have been composed earlier), report clandestine nocturnal meetings with a military commander – a General Sasenet or Sisene. In thys place seemeth to be some savour of disorderly love, which the learned call paederastice: but it is gathered beside his meaning. This does not come to pass, however, thanks to aid of Isis who helps her son keep Seth’s semen off his body and plots to turn the tables around, making Seth appear to be the receptive partner by tricking him into eating Horus’s semen. Die Geschichte von Neferkare und Sasenet (manchmal auch Der Kläger von Memphis genannt) ist ein nur bruchstückhaft erhaltenes Werk der altägyptischen Literatur.Die Erzählung thematisiert eine homosexuelle Beziehung des Pharaos Neferkare mit seinem General Sasenet. He threw a brick after stamping with his foot. [Online]Available at: http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp455-fs14/2014/10/23/ancient-egyptian-sexuality/, Wilford, J. N., 2005. I was surprised to read that Egyptians did not really have a concept of virginity as well. Were they friends or lovers? When we look at the Ancient American cultures like the Aztec where it is believed virginity and sacrifice was connected, it may show the difference of how separated cultures evolved. E. Spenser, The Shepheardes Calender, Januarye (1579); gloss to 1. Yet another suggestion was the two men were actually conjoined twins. Exposing the Secret Sex Lives of Famous Greeks and Romans in the Ancient World. about David and Jonathan: A Secret Biblical Bromance? He is one of the three royale guard in the Chrimera Ant community. As for art showing humans in sexually explicit positions, there is the famous example of graffiti of a pharaoh and a man commonly thought to be Hatshepsut and Senenmut. Seahenge: A Subaquatic Monument of the European Bronze Age, Shahr-i Sokhta, Mysteries of the Burnt City of Iran, Ancient Gandhara Kingdom Was A Melting Pot That Left Its Legacy in Art, Oxygen Deprivation Led To Altered States For Subterranean Artists, Benjamin Hornigold and the Republic of Pirates, New Kind of Neolithic Age Human Burial Ritual Found in Spanish Cave, Bacho Kiro Cave Reveals Volumes About Human-Neanderthal Relationship. Many deities wed their siblings in Egyptian mythology: She and Tefnut; Geb and Nut; Osiris and Isis; Seth and Nephthys. Bas relief of Neferkare (Pepi II) from his tomb at Saqqara, Egypt. This culminated a family line of inbreeding that caused the family to suffer from many malformations, infections and genetic diseases. ), 1974. This is in the context of pursuing a relationship with a married woman, so male extramarital affairs with unmarried women did not reflect badly on his character in the same way it did with a married woman or on cheating wives. Gods Seth (left) and Horus (right) adoring Ramesses. The Book of the Dead or Going Forth by Day . After his majesty had done that which he had wanted to do with him (i.e. It must be pointed out that this story only exists in fragments and we do not know its ending, thus we cannot be entirely sure of what was going on between the pharaoh and his general. One of these can be found in the myth entitled The Contendings of Horus and Seth . September 2018 um 09:30 Uhr bearbeitet. According to the majority of the texts available on the subject, in ancient Egyptian (Pharaonic) society, heterosexual relationships seemed to be the norm. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Did people expect to conceive if they repeated her actions? Additionally, objects used during sex (e.g. Side note: the myth of Horus and Seth is one of the funniest things to me. Neferkare spent four hours with Sasenet, leaving only ‘after his majesty had done that which he had wanted to do with him’. The Tomb of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep at Saqqara in Egypt. This process would then repeat itself. Understanding sex in ancient societies becomes even more difficult when dealing with practices that did not involve a sexual act between a (living) man and a (living) woman, including, but not limited to: necrophilia, bestiality, and homosexuality. Another thing that shocked me was how laid back they were regarding other sexualities. ( CC BY SA 3.0 ) The two men are depicted with their respective children standing behind them. A more than likely fictional tale from either the 18th, the 19th or the 25th dynasty, Neferkare was a pharaoh and Sasenet was one of his generals. Horus. the king's) deeds. Some have even gone so far as assert that Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep were conjoined twins to explain why they are touching so often in artwork. Pharaoh Neferkare (Pepi II) and Sasenet (or Sisene), a military commander, lived during the 6th Dynasty in the Old Kingdom. the general), he left for his palace, Tjeti behind him. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Male lovers in the Trojan War? Lost Golden City Discovered in Luxor, How King Arthur Became One of the Most Pervasive Legends of All Time, Scota: Mother of Scotland and Daughter of a Pharaoh. This image is seen again “inside the final offering chamber on the reverse side of the entrance pillar.” The initial interpretation of this image was that the two men were brothers, or perhaps even twins. If you made it this far, congratulations! In the tale of King Neferkare and General Sasenet, three fragments of a papyrus dating from the late New Kingdom (although the story may have been composed earlier), report clandestine nocturnal meetings with a military commander – a General Sasenet or Sisene. These LGBT Greek gods and demigods prove gay culture is no modern invention. I came into this post with an open mind. I really enjoyed the myths of the gods also. You mentioned that it is necessary to be cautious when thinking about sexuality, as it was not thought of the same way throughout time and space. It has always seemed to me that the focus of death and the afterlife was more important in Egyptian culture than any other. Only a handful of direct clues survive, and many possible indications are vague and subject to speculation. But while we gaze at the serene marble statues on display – straining male torsos and soft... Alexander the Great was known as a womanizer – his list of romances quite extensive. What was the REAL relationship Between Alexander the Great and Hephaestion? It has also been argued that Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep were in a homosexual relationship, a view that has gained support by some scholars over the last two decades. This is not an adequate response. about Achilles and Patroclus: Close Confidants or Passionate Paramours? Neferkare and the General Sasenet describes a non-aggressive homosexual relationship. 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Homosexuality in ancient Egypt is a disputed subject within Egyptology. In addition to this, other indications of homosexuality in Ancient Egypt include Neferkare and Sasenet, a Pharaoh and his general who were rumored to have a relationship. Three tales of same-sex love in Ancient Egypt. The Copper Age: When Metallurgy Came to Rule the World. Brothers from other mothers or... Elagabalus was a Roman emperor who lived at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. It was obviously something you cared a lot about – and the video links and heading were awesome and very helpful! One night, a spy observed Neferkare going on his own from the royal palace to Sasenet’s house. Some, like R. S. Bian… In the tale of "King Neferkare and General Sasenet", three fragments of a papyrus dating from the late New Kingdom (although the story may have been composed earlier), report clandestine nocturnal meetings with a military commander – a General Sasenet or Sisene. Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated! Herodotus wrote that some corpses would not be delivered to the embalmers for several days to prevent them from copulating with the deceased. Kinship 193. Dubbed an elaborate hoax by many, this image has become the... How about a "Books and Literature" forum? Neferkare spent four hours with Sasenet, leaving only ‘after his majesty had done that which he had wanted to do with him’. The Declaration of Naunakhte 195. Some consider it to be “a satire on human manners and desires, as the animal vignettes on the first third of the papyrus suggest,” which also mocks individuals of the upper class. The story goes that a man named Tjeti saw Neferkare walking somewhere during the night and decided to follow him. It is the metal that was used to fashion weapons such as the famous Damascus blades of the Middle Ages. An ancient Egyptian general known for the famous gay romance tale of Neferkare's nightly wanderings. In art, sex is not usually explicitly detailed, though since much artwork was either in tombs or temples it can be argued that their sexual acts were not depicted so as to avoid their desecration. This practice was illegal and carried high penalties, but amazingly people continued to practice it anyway. Therefore, in this version of the myth, although Seth was engaged in what may be considered as a homosexual practice, the purpose of his actions were aimed at dominating Horus, and proving that he was the greater of the two. Featured image: Close-up of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep from their joint mastaba (tomb) at Saqqara, Egypt. Sexuality in Ancient Egypt is a subject to be approached with caution. Seth and Horus have had a long history of one-upsmanship and some pretty awkward sexual tension. When sex was depicted, the interpretation is made by modern viewers. Then Tjeti, son of Henet, followed this god, without letting his heart put blame on him, in order to observe every one of his (i.e. The two are said to have formed a covenant of friendship, even though their situation essentially... An exhibition at the British Museum promises to lift the lid on what beauty meant for the ancient Greeks. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? King Neferkare and General Sasenet Only a small number of pharaohs were immortalized in ancient fiction, Pepi II may be among them. This has spawned a very intense debate. The Story of Setne Kbaemwas 198. his majesty the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Nefer-ka-Re, who had set out by himself on a walk without there being any person with him. The lack of other supporting evidence at present, however, means that the interpretation of the relationship between Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep (as well as the more general topic of ‘Homosexuality in Ancient Egypt’) will continue to be a matter of debate for some time to come. Horus went to tell his mother Isis: “Help me, Isis, my mother, come and see what Seth has done to me.” And he opened his hand(s) and let her see Seth's semen. A gay cupbearer on Mount Olympus? Ancient Journeys: What was Travel Like for the Romans? Seth, who has long wanted to be the chief god of the pantheon, tries to assert his dominance over Horus by having sex with him, planning to have penetrative or intercrural sex with Horus. I, too, thought it was surprising how they did not hold much worth on virginity seeing how it had a strong hold in Central and South American around the same time period (or a little later) and would continue to hold a lot of power for a long time after that! Another possible depiction of homosexual relations can be found in a story known as King Neferkare and General Sasenet . Homosexuality in Ancient Egypt is a passionately disputed subject within Egyptology: historians and egyptologists alike debate what kind of view the Ancient Egyptians society fostered about homosexuality.Only a handful of direct hints have survived to this day and many possible indications are only vague and offer plenty of room for speculation. I realize that according to their myths Isis had sex with Osiris after he had been torn apart and put back together again and this is how she conceived Horus…but it makes me wonder how it transferred over into real life. Even other ancient pantheons of Gods seemed to explore an open sexuality. The origins of behavioral modernity and what exactly makes us human are topics which have fascinated people for hundreds of years. This was a great blog, lots of information and very interesting. Diese Seite wurde zuletzt am 14. So please stop stating that SHE is a male. These actions were not prohibited, but in instances like this it was quite shocking. As much as they loved one another, Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep could not reproduce together, necessitating them to find wives to fulfill this purpose. Some have suggested this reflects a homosexual relationship; although it is disputed that the text relates to Pepi II at all. 1. (And) when he entered the Great House four hours were left until dawn.”. Also, I agree with the way that they had a very low tolerance for adultery, though it’s not surprising that men were not treated as severely as women. “Marriage is, of course, no evidence for a lack of ‘homosexual’ activities or inclinations, but it is an indication of the prevailing social attitudes.”. Because it was important to have children to care for their cult after death, their wives may have only served as a means to an end. There was apparently no concept of virginity or any sort of expectation for it. In the west, we have a very dichotomous view of sexuality, though it is seems to be becoming easier for our society to accept bisexuality. On the Turin Erotic Papyrus one can see a woman seated on a vase to pleasure herself while it is believed that Cleopatra may have created a vibrator for herself using bees. Lilith: Ancient Demon, Dark Deity or Sensual Goddess? But during the night, Seth caused his phallus to become stiff and inserted it between Horus's thighs. Although there seems to be much more proof of men partaking in these activities than women. Cover image of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep (source). Only a small number of pharaohs were immortalized in ancient fiction, Pepi II may be among them. Your blog mentions bestiality being something that occurred in Ancient Egypt, we can also see this in other cultures such as Poseidon cursing a woman to fall in love with a bull, mating with it, and creating the Minotaur.
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