Description
Book Synopsis: How have major civilizations of the last two millennia treated people who were attracted to their own sex? In a narrative tour de force, Louis Crompton chronicles the lives and achievements of homosexual men and women alongside a darker history of persecution, as he compares the Christian West with the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, Arab Spain, imperial China, and pre-Meiji Japan.
Ancient Greek culture celebrated same-sex love in history, literature, and art, making high claims for its moral influence. By contrast, Jewish religious leaders in the sixth century BCE branded male homosexuality as a capital offense and, later, blamed it for the destruction of the biblical city of Sodom. When these two traditions collided in Christian Rome during the late empire, the tragic repercussions were felt throughout Europe and the New World.
Louis Crompton traces Church-inspired mutilation, torture, and burning of “sodomites” in sixth-century Byzantium, medieval France, Renaissance Italy, and in Spain under the Inquisition. But Protestant authorities were equally committed to the execution of homosexuals in the Netherlands, Calvin’s Geneva, and Georgian England. The root cause was religious superstition, abetted by political ambition and sheer greed. Yet from this cauldron of fears and desires, homoerotic themes surfaced in the art of the Renaissance masters—Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Sodoma, Cellini, and Caravaggio—often intertwined with Christian motifs. Homosexuality also flourished in the court intrigues of Henry III of France, Queen Christina of Sweden, James I and William III of England, Queen Anne, and Frederick the Great.
Anti-homosexual atrocities committed in the West contrast starkly with the more tolerant traditions of premodern China and Japan, as revealed in poetry, fiction, and art and in the lives of emperors, shoguns, Buddhist priests, scholars, and actors. In the samurai tradition of Japan, Crompton makes clear, the celebration of same-sex love rivaled that of ancient Greece.
Sweeping in scope, elegantly crafted, and lavishly illustrated, Homosexuality and Civilization is a stunning exploration of a rich and terrible past.
Details
Discover the fascinating history of homosexuality and civilization with Louis Crompton's groundbreaking book. Delve into the lives and achievements of homosexual men and women throughout major civilizations of the past two millennia. From ancient Greece and Rome to Arab Spain, imperial China, and pre-Meiji Japan, this narrative tour de force explores the contrasting treatment of same-sex attraction and the dark history of persecution.
Unlike many other cultures, ancient Greek society celebrated same-sex love in history, literature, and art. This influential civilization attributed moral significance to same-sex relationships and their impact on society. On the other hand, in the sixth century BCE, Jewish religious leaders branded male homosexuality as a capital offense and blamed it for the destruction of Sodom. Experience the collision of these traditions in Christian Rome during the late empire, as the tragic repercussions reverberated throughout Europe and the New World.
Prepare yourself for a shocking journey as Louis Crompton uncovers the mutilation, torture, and burning inflicted upon "sodomites" by Church-inspired persecutions in Byzantium, medieval France, Renaissance Italy, and Spain under the Inquisition. This dark history was not limited to the Catholic Church alone, as Protestant authorities in the Netherlands, Calvin's Geneva, and Georgian England were equally committed to executing homosexuals. Uncover the root causes of these brutalities – religious superstition, political ambition, and sheer greed.
Marvel at the homoerotic themes that emerged in the artworks of Renaissance masters Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Sodoma, Cellini, and Caravaggio. These powerful depictions intertwine with Christian motifs, giving rise to complex and fascinating narratives. Explore the hidden history of homosexuality within the court intrigues of notable figures such as Henry III of France, Queen Christina of Sweden, James I and William III of England, Queen Anne, and Frederick the Great.
Contrasting the dark history of intolerance in the West, discover the more accepting traditions of premodern China and Japan. Delve into the poetry, fiction, art, and lives of emperors, shoguns, Buddhist priests, scholars, and actors that reveal the existence of a more tolerant society. In the samurai tradition of Japan, same-sex love rivaled the celebration of ancient Greece.
Sweeping in scope, elegantly crafted, and lavishly illustrated, Homosexuality and Civilization takes you on a mesmerizing journey through the rich and terrible past. Experience the lives of those who struggled against persecution and the cultures that both celebrated and condemned same-sex attraction. Embrace the history that shaped our world.
Get your copy of Homosexuality and Civilization and explore this stunning exploration of a rich and terrible past.
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