Sex, Eroticism, and Politics

Abstract

Plutarch sees sexual behaviour as a manifestation of a man's character. For the tyrant or the violent man, sex is an arena for power and the domination of others. Theseus, Demetrius, Sulla, and subsidiary figures like Alexander of Pherae or [the Spartan king] Pausanias express and reveal their viciousness through sexual violence. The ideal statesman instead shows his self-control in the same arena, creating harmony in his household and in his city.

Like a Captive Bird

“…Focused studies such as Buszard's are essential for understanding Plutarch's women on a micro level, while broad studies that span a range of texts in Plutarch's oeuvre are necessary in order to gain a fuller understanding of his philosophy in theory and in practice. In this vein studies such as those of Beneker ( , 2014 have been influential. Beneker has argued that Plutarch considers erōs a necessary prerequisite for a successful marriage within which philia and virtue can flourish.…”

“…Almagor (2013 at least makes the cursory suggestion that a female audience can be expected for the Lives, as did Stadter more recently (2015: 232). Marasco (2008), Romero González ( 2008) Tsouvala (2008), , Soares (2008) Roskam & van der Stockt (2011) Tsouvala ( 2014) Beneker (2014) For example, Le , , Stadter (1999), Tsouvala (2014), Tanga (2019). See, for example, the opening quote to this book (Amat.…”