Homosexuality in ancient Egypt
Very little is known about the nature of homosexuality in Ancient Egypt. Most of what historians believe is based on speculation.
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[edit] Historical Examples
The identical twins Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, manicurists in the Palace of King Niuserre during the Fifth Dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs, circa 2400 B.C.[1] are speculated to have been homosexual based on a representation of them embracing nose-to-nose in their shared tomb.
[edit] Homosexuality in Ancient Egyptian Art
Ostraca dating from the Ramesside Period have been found which depict hastily drawn images of homosexual as well as heterosexual sex.
[edit] Homosexuality in Ancient Egyptian Literature
[edit] The Tale of King Neferkare and General Sanset
This Middle Kingdom story has an intriguing plot revolving around a king's clandestine homosexual affair with one of his generals. It may reference the actual Pharaoh Pepi II. [2]
[edit] The contendings of Horus and Seth
This Middle Kingdom satire of the rivalry between the Egyptian Gods Horus and Seth relates a story in which Seth attempts to seduce his rival Horus. Horus, warned by his mother Isis, does not accept Seth's sexual offer, thus avoiding humiliation from the other gods and disgracing Seth. Seth displays homosexual characteristics in other fragmentary texts as well, commenting "how lovely your backside is!" to his arch-rival Horus.
A New Kingdom version of the satire is more complete. In it, Seth invites Horus to a feast at his home, and when evening arrived both of them made a bed and laid down together. That night they engage in intercrurial sex. Horus, having caught a sample of Seth's semen brought it to his mother Isis. Isis, shocked and appalled, chopped off the her sons' semen-covered hand and threw it in the Nile. (She later makes him a new one.) Somewhat later Isis aroused Horus and collected his semen, to sprinkle it on Seth's favorite food, Romaine (cos) lettuce. The trick works and Seth eats the tainted cos lettuce, causing him to become pregnant with his nephew Horus' child. Seth remains unaware of his pregnancy until Thoth commanded that Horus' semen come out of Seth, to unknown consequence. Thus the plan to seduce Horus backfired on Seth.
[edit] See also
- Timeline of LGBT history (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender related history)
[edit] References
- ^ Thomas A Dowson, "Archaeologists, Feminists, and Queers: sexual politics in the construction of the past". In Pamela L. Geller, Miranda K. Stockett, eds., Feminist Anthropology: Past, Present, and Future, pp 89–102. University of Pennsylvania Press 2006, ISBN 0812239407
- ^ Wit and Humour in Ancient Egypt, Houliban, P
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