Audio only
Length3h 20m
About this audiobook
Originally published in 1883, "A Problem in Greek Ethics" by John Addington Symonds is a ground-breaking study of the Greek institution of paiderastia. This was a custom by which adolescent men made alliances with older men of a romantic and sexual nature. The young men in question were the same age as contemporary teen pop stars (approximately from puberty to the Athenian age of majority, 21). And they were treated similarly, as celebrities, showered with gifts and attention, and fought over by lovers. Philosophers such as Plato considered these same-sex unions as a remedy for tyranny, the bedrock of a cultured society, and the purest form of love.
The point of this essay is never made explicit, but it is still very relevant. The ancient Greek civilization lasted for hundreds of years, invented democracy, built amazing monumental buildings, developed advanced philosophy, drama and literature, and defeated the Persian empire. And no small part of this success was due to the openly acknowledged contribution of gay people. This proves specious the argument that homosexuals achieving parity in a society means the end of civilization "as we know it".
Symonds, who also wrote "A Problem in Modern Ethics", was an accomplished classicist, and a pioneering (if closeted) self-realized gay person. This book was originally published privately for the use of 'Medical Psychologists and Jurists'; this figleaf was necessary in the repressive climate of Victorian England.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.6 (54)
Includes Goodreads
GenrePsychology, Education and Learning, Health and Wellness
Length3 hrs 20 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateOct 26, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Preface
21. Introduction: Method Of Treating The Subject
32. Homer Had No Knowledge Of Paiderastia--Achilles--Treatment Of Homer By The Later Greeks
43. The Romance Of Achilles And Patroclus
54. The Heroic Ideal Of Masculine Love
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65. Vulgar Paiderastia--How Introduced Into Hellas--Crete--Laius--The Myth Of Ganymede
76. Discrimination Of Two Loves, Heroic And Vulgar
87. The Intensity Of Paiderastia As An Emotion, And Its Quality
98. Myths Of Paiderastia
109. Semi-Legendary Tales Of Love--Harmodius And Aristogeiton
1110. Dorian Customs--Sparta And Crete--The Sacred Band--Alexander The Great
1211. Paiderastia In Poetry Of The Lyric Age
1312. Paiderastia Upon The Attic Stage
1413. Recapitulation Of Points--The Palæstra
1514. Distinctions Drawn By Attic Law And Custom
1615. Platonic Doctrine On Greek Love
1716. Greek Liberty And Greek Love Extinguished
1817. The Deep Root Struck By Paiderastia In Greece--Position Of Women
1918. Relation Of Paiderastia To The Fine Arts
2019. Homosexuality Among Greek Women
2120. Greek Love Did Not Exist At Rome--Christianity--Chivalry
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