engleski

Sexual Initiative in Aristaenetus' Erotic Letters

The epistolary collection entitled Erotic Letters attributed to Aristaenetus was probably written in the 6th century A.D. The letters depict various sexual liaisons ; the protagonists are single, married, engaged in extra-marital affairs, in relationships with slaves or courtesans etc. The focus of the research is on the overall representation of lovers’ sexuality. The author investigates which sex is more likely to show sexual interest, to seduce, to initiate foreplay or sexual activities and to create the opportunity for their achievement. The results are placed into a wider context by the comparison with gender relations in Alciphron’s, Aelian’s and Philostratus’ collections. The final goal of the paper is to point to (potential) differences in the representation of male and female sexual agency and sexuality in general throughout the literary subgenre from Alciphron to Aristaenetus.

Aristaenetus ; Greek sexuality ; sexual initiative ; Greek fictional epistolography

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