DYNAMICS OF DESIRE: GIFT GIVING AND RECIPROCITY IN ANCIENT GREEK HOMOEROTIC COURTSHIP COURTSHIP

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of reciprocity in homoerotic relationships in classical Athens. According to the more traditional approach, the pecking ord er model ’’, these typically a symmetrical relationships almost inevitably involved humiliation of one of the partners, who literally or metaphorically assumed a passive and therefore u n manly role. Although more recent studies tend to underline the arti fici al cha racter of these schola rly reconstructions, they still fail to account for the nuances of ancient homoerotic courtship. I argue that some sources often used by scholars as reflec t ing negative attitudes towards homoeroticism may actually t estify to the existenc e of very clear rules of highly valued and praised behaviours of passive partners. T h ese rules formed an implicit grammar of social actions but were never explicitly codified.