de Guzman. Sara Andrea Q.

08-18225 | Anthro 187

12 July, 2011 Sir Taduran

History of Sex
Sex is viewed differently as the course of time changes. These discrepancies were evident as the different civilizations were presented in the compilation. But it cannot be denied that sex played a huge role in influencing a societys rise and demise. It flourished during the ancient civilization which included the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks and the Romans. It continued on in the in the civilizations of the East which include the Japanese, Chinese, Indians and the Arabs. Its downfall was apparent during the middle ages in Europe but subtly made its come back during the high middle ages. Due to the emergence of the Catholic Church, spreading its prominence across the world was the Spaniards goal alongside with the acquisition of wealth and power over native lands. But the practices of the Catholic Church were put in to question as the rise of the Renaissance period took place and so did sexuality. But during the start of the Victorian reign, oppressive measures were applied to women. The tables turned during the latter part of this period as zealous women surfaced and fought for their say on sexuality.

Ancient Civilization The beginnings of sex were first recorded during 3200 B.C. and were carved in the Mesopotamian tablets. Being a patriarchal society, sex is a one-sided business. It favors the sexual musts of the males since they are viewed as more sexual than their counterparts. And so temple priestesses were made available to spread the healing powers of an intercourse. The Egyptians viewed sex as closely related to their spirituality. Because of this, it has been done for recreation producing a land with no virgins. Despite the prevalence of sex,

adultery is frowned upon. They still keep in mind the essence of sex and that is for procreation that will result to keeping their lineage alive. In Greece, the country is regarded as a mans world in terms of sex. The men freely go to brothels to express their sexual urges. On the other hand, women stayed at home but also fulfilled their sexual appetites by using dildos made by their local shoemaker. Another striking aspect of Greeks sexuality is their homosexual behavior for men and women alike. It was not a stigma and in their society and homosexuality is very much welcome. The Roman Empire started as a promiscuous society as the rampant spread of sexual activities occurred. The women in the upperclass were as randy as their male counterparts as they engage themselves in different sexual partners. But this was put to an end when Augustus became the empire and he declared that sex out of marriage was a crime. To further counter this sexual fiasco, he offered incentives to married couples who would have sex to bear children.

Eastern Civilization The Chinese were very particular in the maintenance of equilibrium in their everyday lives including sex. This is made evident in the concept of yin and yang which is the semen of the man and the vital energy being released by the woman during intercourse respectively. Confucianism and Daoism both promoted procreation and formation of the family as the product of sex. As for Buddhism, its transcending and enlightening effect of it on individuals were stressed. During intercourse, men are not supposed to ejaculate. It was believed that such control can improve ones eyesight and hearing, be invulnerable to diseases and even acquire eternal life. The women in this period of time were deemed attractive if they bound their feet. And this has been a widespread practice which was short-lived because of its negative effects.

Another interesting fact about Chinese sexuality is the origin of the red light districts. To signify that a man and a prostitute were doing their own business, a red cloth is hung on a lamp. The Japanese are in favor of extramarital affairs which were made possible by hiring prostitutes. The prostitutes were regarded as the goddesses of mercy because they help in releasing of stress for the Japanese men. Apart from the prostitutes are the women who were daughters of fallen aristocrats called Geishas. They are highly skilled artists who give entertainment during tea ceremonies and banquets. The Indians are not different from their Asian neighbors when it comes to their views on sex. It is also intricately combined with the spirituality of the Hindus. Their religion, Buddhism, acknowledge sex as an activity of the man and woman leading to enlightenment. The book of Kama Sutra which was written by a celibate included different sexual solutions that would cater to different gender and physical make-up. The dark side of the Hindu sexuality is manifested in what they call the Tantra. The rituals include the awakening of the sleeping serpent in every individual and they were done in dark cemeteries. In the Arab world, their society is described as patriarchal and polygamous. Arab men can have a maximum of four wives of which he should serve equally in terms of financial aids and of course sexual satisfaction. Men acquired concubines which they have sexual rights. For the women to refrain from engaging in such affairs, eunuchs, who are castrated men, were present in every household.

Middle Ages During the first half of the middle ages, carnal acts were loathed. This was due to the uncontrollable force of the Catholic Church. The religion punished acts of homosexuality,

adultery, bestiality, fornication and masturbation. These were included in the Book of Penitentials created by the clergy. The troubadours were poets who wrote about adulterous poems. Their works voiced out their love for untouchable women who are part of the upperclass. During the high middle ages, the Catholic Church consented prostitution. It was a necessary evil for the men so as to serve as outlets for their uncontrollable sexual urges. Also, in this period of time the Spaniards sailed across the oceans and conquered the Mesoamerican tribes such as the Mayans and the Aztecs. They easily conquered the lands because the accused the dwellers to be sodomites. Renaissance is the period of enlightenment not only in the field of arts and philosophy but also in sexuality. Martin Luther presented his 95-theses questioning the

teachings of the Catholic Church and the celibacy of its clergymen. This signaled the downfall of the middle ages which led to the surfacing of his new period.

From Don Juan to Queen Victoria In 1630, a famous character named Don Juan brought forth the negative connotation of excessive seduction to women. With that, he was pitched into hell. Another personality known during this period is Marquis de Sade. Unlike other men who saw their partners enjoying while they are having sex, he did not. He is more sexually attracted to women who are in pain during an intercourse. Because of his practices, he was put into jail and in there he wrote a pornographic novel. The English colonizers observed different views on sexuality apparent in their African slaves. These slaves practiced clitoridectomy which is a prerequisite for women who are to get married. This practice will lessen the sexual appetite of the women.

During the 19th century, the middle class emerged in the society. The aristocracy was deemed immoral in terms of their actions and values. It was in this period that Queen Victoria reigned in the country and she promoted the idea of a frigid woman. A woman to be wed is expected to be a virgin and in indifferent in bed. The symbolic separation from their respective families, the honeymoon, is the sexual initiation for the couple. It can make or break the marriage. Due to the sexual indifference of the women, married men acquired courtesans to feed their sexual hunger which they cannot get from their wives. Child prostitution was a hit during this period and homosexuality is the ultimate Victorian taboo. Due to the oppression felt by the women in the aspect of sex, rose various ideologies promulgated by different women. Emilia Bloomer made new clothes as oppose to the Victorian costumes, Victoria Woodhull debated that women also enjoy sex and Josephine Butler fought for the womens right to vote.

As has been observed, sex is a necessity for all these civilizations. Humans are indeed sexual animals and react negatively when they do not have their fix. Sex is undeniably enjoyable and fun but should be done in moderation and in accord to the societys set of ideals and values. Long live sex!