Examine the following documents and answer the questions below.
Document B: Epigrams by Marcus Valerius Martialis (38 – 103 CE)
Marcus Valerius Martialis (Martial) was a Roman poet and satirist. Known as the creator of epigrams, his works give snapshots into the lives of Romans. The following two poems depict two same-sex weddings held in Ancient Rome.
Book I: XXIV. TO DECIANUS.
You see yonder individual, Decianus, with locks uncombed, whose grave brow even you fear; who talks incessantly of the Curii and Camilli, defenders of their country’s liberties: do not trust his looks; he was taken to wife but yesterday.
Book XII: XLII. ON CALLISTRATUS AND AFER.
The bearded Callistratus has been taken in marriage by the lusty Afer, in the same way as a virgin is usually taken in marriage by her husband. The torches shone forth, the flame-coloured veil concealed the bride’s countenance, and the language heard at bridals was not wanting. Even the dowry was settled. Does not this seem yet enough to you, Rome? Do you expect that the bride should present the spouse with pledges of affection?
Questions:
- Based on the above readings, does Martial approve of same-sex marriages?
- Who does Martial compare Decianus and Callistratus to?
- Why might that comparison be insulting to Roman men?
Document C: Plutarch’s Life of Pelopidas
Greek Historian, Plutarch (46 – 119 CE), describes The Sacred Band of Thebes in book 2 of his biography of Pelopidas.
[18.1] The Sacred Band, they say, was first organized by Gorgidas out of 300 picked men, who were trained and fed at the city’s expense. They camped out on the Theban citadel, the Cadmeia, and for this reason they were called the “City Band,” for in those days the term “city” was generally applied to the citadel. [18.2] Some people say that this band was composed of lovers and beloveds, and tradition records a witty remark of Pammenes to this effect. He said that Homer’s Nestor was not a shrewd tactician when he ordered that the Greeks be drawn up according to tribe and clan, “so that clan might aid clan, and tribe, tribe,”31 [18.3] and that what he should have done was station lover beside beloved. For when the going gets tough, tribesmen don’t give much thought for their fellow tribesmen, nor clansmen for their fellow clansmen. But a battalion joined together by erotic love cannot be destroyed or broken: its members stand firm beside one another in times of danger, lovers and beloveds alike motivated by a sense of shame in the presence of the other.
Questions:
- Who was it that traditionally formed the ranks of Greek armies?
- Who were the soldiers chosen for the Sacred Band of Thebes? Why did Gorgidas choose these men?
- What does Plutarch mean when he says “ lovers and beloveds alike motivated by a sense of shame in the presence of the other.”