Images of Ancient Greek Pederasty: Boys Were Their Gods

By Andrew Lear and Eva Cantarella

Book Overview

This lavishly illustrated book brings together, for the first time, all of the different ways in which vase-painting portrays or refers to pederasty, from scenes of courtship, foreplay, and sex, to scenes of Zeus with his boy-love Ganymede, to painted inscriptions praising the beauty of boys. The book shows how painters used the language of vase-painting to cast pederasty in an idealizing light, portraying it as part of a world in which beautiful elite males display praiseworthy attitudes, such as moderation, and engage in approved activities, such as hunting, athletics, and the symposium. The book also incorporates a comprehensive catalogue of relevant vase-paintings, compiled by noted archaeologist Keith DeVries. It is the most comprehensive treatment available of an institution that has few modern parallels.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415564042
• ISBN13: 9780415564045
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"