Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Program
History
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Thesis Advisor
Dr. Gregory D. Bell
Committee Member
Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight
Committee Member
Dr. Jennifer L. Disney
Keywords
Homosexuality, Greece, Rome, Judaism, Christianity, Mythology
Abstract
Homosexuality has been a topic of recent controversial religious discourse, not only in America, but also world-wide. This begs the question: when did homosexuality become such a divisive issue in religious circles? The purpose of this thesis is to examine how ancient western cultures perceived homosexuality and treated homosexuals. Starting with the pagan civilizations of Greece and Rome, and then looking at how homosexuality was perceived in the ancient Judaic world and into the early Christian community, it seems that homosexuality only gradually became stigmatized as early Christians sought to distinguish themselves as unique in the ancient world.
Recommended Citation
Russell, Andrew S., "Is It So Bad to Be Yourself?" (2020). Graduate Theses. 119.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/graduatetheses/119
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Christianity Commons, Cultural History Commons, History of Gender Commons, History of Religion Commons, Jewish Studies Commons, Social History Commons
