Post by Gray on Apr 8, 2009 20:15:03 GMT -5
I don't think we know enough about ancient cultures to say that; I think the homosexual instances could be from a very specific context. Gilgamesh was partly about complimentary spirits and how to rule. Etc. So, it could just be a device.
Now, show me to this Egyptian gay myth =D
You do have a point. It's pure conjecture that ancient societies approved of homosexuality. With archaeology the little that is unearthed can be viewed in many ways and I think it's often wishful thinking on modern societies part to think that ancient societies were more enlightened and less uptight.
But there are definately pre-christian cultures that practiced homosexuality. The Greeks, the Romans, etc. I know the shamans some in American Indian tribes were men who cross-dressed as women, becoming a third gender, and often married other men. I think it likely that homosexuality just wasn't that taboo in most ancient societies.
The main myth I can think of is that of Horus and Set. Horus is the hero, seeking to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of Set. They each seek to defeat the other, partly through trying to impregnate them by spreading their semen on the other's lettuce garden. Of course, this could also be seen as a plot device, like you mentioned with Gilgamesh.
Here's a link about Ancient Egytian Sexuality:
www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/sexuality.html
And one on the Horus-Set myth:
www.philae.nu/philae/Horus&Seth.html