The Sexual Revolution Of The Roman Empire

Summary

This video script explores the transformative impact of Christianity on ancient Roman sexual ethics, marking a radical shift from a status-based system to one emphasizing human dignity and monogamous marriage. It contrasts the sexual exploitation prevalent in the Roman Empire, particularly towards slaves and women, with the Christian teachings that valued all individuals equally. The script suggests that the modern sexual revolution has not achieved the promised utopia and questions if a return to these ancient Christian ethics could be a solution to contemporary moral chaos.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The script discusses a significant shift in sexual ethics attributed to the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, which was a more radical change than the 20th-century sexual revolution.
• 👤 In the Roman Empire, sexual norms were largely dictated by social status, with high-status men having almost unrestricted sexual access to those of lower status, including slaves.
• 🔄 The concept of consent was absent for slaves, who were treated as property and used for sexual gratification by their masters without any ethical considerations.
• 👦🏼👧🏼 The sexual exploitation of children, particularly slave children, was common, with the Roman society viewing them similarly to how some might view pornography today.
• 🚫 Christianity introduced a new sexual ethic based on the equal value of every human being, regardless of social status, advocating for monogamous marriage as the only acceptable context for sexual activity.
• 💍 Christian teachings emphasized the importance of freely chosen unions and fidelity within marriage, challenging the existing norms of sexual infidelity and the objectification of women and slaves.
• 🙏 The early Christian message of inherent human dignity and the image of God in every person was particularly appealing to marginalized groups like slaves and women.
• 🛑 Christian ethics also opposed practices such as abortion and infanticide, which were prevalent in Roman society, especially among unwanted female infants.
• 📜 As Christianity spread, it influenced laws and societal norms, leading to changes such as the restriction of divorce and the recognition of slaves' rights to be emancipated.
• 🛡️ The script argues that Christian sexual ethics elevated the status of slaves, women, and children by emphasizing their inherent worth as children of God, rather than their social status.
• 🔄 The modern sexual revolution of the 20th century is contrasted with the Christian revolution, with the latter being seen as a positive influence that improved the lives of many, while the former has led to chaos and misery.

Q & A

What is referred to as the 'sexual revolution' in the context of the script?

The term 'sexual revolution' in the script refers to the radical change in sexual values that took place in the West during the 20th century, but it also highlights an earlier and more massive sexual revolution that occurred nearly 2,000 years earlier when Christianity transformed the sexual ethics of the Roman Empire.

How was sexual permissiveness determined in the Roman Empire?

In the Roman Empire, what was sexually permissible and what was taboo were largely based on one's social status. Higher status free men could have sex with almost anyone they wanted, as long as the other person was not of high social status or seen as the property of someone of high social status.

What was the typical attitude towards sex with slaves in the Roman era?

The idea that a rich, high-status man should have sexual access to his social inferiors, particularly his slaves, was completely unquestioned. Slaves were viewed as property to be used and abused at will, and the concept of consent was unheard of for slaves.

How did the sexual ethics of the Roman Empire impact slaves, especially children?

Slaves, and particularly children, were the most victimized under the Roman cultural sexual hierarchy. They were subjected to pervasive sexual abuse, with no legal or societal protection against such acts.

What was the Christian teaching regarding the sexual ethics that contrasted with the Roman Empire's views?

Christian teaching based sexual ethics on the equal value of every human being, regardless of social status, and upheld freely chosen, one-woman-one-man monogamous marriage as the only acceptable context for any sexual activity.

How did Christianity redefine the concept of marriage in terms of sexual ethics?

Christianity required that each spouse freely choose the union and be faithful to each other, with the husband's body belonging to the wife and vice versa. It also emphasized that any sexual act outside of marriage was forbidden.

What were the teachings of Christianity regarding the treatment of slaves and lower classes in terms of sexual ethics?

Christianity required that people of lower classes, women, children, and slaves be treated as persons with the same dignity as anyone else, and that they be granted the same moral standing as freeborn or noble men.

How did the spread of Christianity influence laws and norms in the Roman Empire?

As Christianity spread, laws and norms began to change, with the first Christian emperor, Constantine, ending the Roman system of unilateral divorce and permitting it under only a few serious circumstances. Later, Christian emperors and church fathers encouraged the manumission of slaves and the protection of vulnerable groups from sexual exploitation.

What was the impact of Christian sexual ethics on the Western World over the next 2,000 years?

Christian sexual ethics eventually became the norm in the Western World, marking a paradigm shift in sexual ethics where the cosmos replaced the city as the framework of morality, and ethical values centered on the idea that sexual activity belongs within the bond of marriage.

How does the script describe the modern sexual revolution in contrast to the Christian sexual ethics?

The script describes the modern sexual revolution as a breakdown of the system of sexual ethics established by Christianity over the past 2,000 years, influenced by ideologies such as Marxism, second wave feminism, and hedonistic post-relativism, which have not led to a brighter future but rather to chaos and misery.

What is the script's proposition regarding the antidote to today's sexual chaos and misery?

The script suggests that the same Christian sexual ethics that once revolutionized Roman society by proclaiming the dignity of every person and elevating the value of fidelity and sacrificial love could be the antidote to today's sexual chaos and misery.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Roman Sexual Ethics and the Early Christian Revolution

This paragraph discusses the radical shift in sexual values that occurred with the advent of Christianity in the Roman Empire around the 1st century AD. It contrasts the permissive sexual culture of the Roman Empire, where social status determined sexual norms and slaves were exploited without regard for consent, with the Christian teachings that emphasized the equal value of all individuals and the sanctity of monogamous marriage. The paragraph highlights how Christianity's emphasis on mutual consent and respect within marriage challenged the existing social hierarchy and provided a new moral framework that recognized the dignity of slaves and women.

05:01

🛡️ The Transformation of Roman Society Through Christian Ethics

This paragraph delves into the transformative impact of Christian sexual ethics on Roman society. It outlines how Christian teachings, which prohibited sexual acts outside of marriage and advocated for the equal treatment of all individuals regardless of social status, led to significant societal changes. The paragraph describes the legal and cultural shifts that occurred as a result of Christianity's spread, including the prohibition of infanticide, the recognition of slaves' rights to be emancipated, and the gradual establishment of monogamy as the societal norm. It also touches on the historical legacy of these changes and how they influenced Western civilization's understanding of sexual morality for centuries.

10:02

🌟 The Relevance of Christian Sexual Ethics in Modern Times

The final paragraph reflects on the current state of sexual ethics in light of the modern sexual revolution and calls for a return to the principles of Christian sexual ethics. It critiques the modern revolution's failure to deliver on its promises of equality and liberation, arguing that it has instead led to widespread harm and unhappiness. The paragraph suggests that the same ethical framework that revolutionized Roman society by promoting dignity, fidelity, and sacrificial love could offer a solution to contemporary societal issues, emphasizing the timeless value of these principles.

Keywords

💡Sexual Revolution

The term 'Sexual Revolution' refers to a significant shift in societal attitudes and behaviors regarding sexuality. In the video, it is used to describe two distinct periods: the 20th-century changes in the West and the earlier transformation that occurred with the rise of Christianity. The video emphasizes the radical nature of the earlier revolution, which challenged the sexual ethics of the Roman Empire.

💡Roman Empire

The 'Roman Empire' is the dominant superpower of the day during the first century AD, known for its social hierarchy and permissive sexual ethics based on social status. The script describes how the empire's sexual norms were vastly different from the teachings of Christianity, which later prompted a significant overhaul of these ethics.

💡Social Status

'Social Status' in the context of the Roman Empire determined what was sexually permissible. The script explains that higher-status free men could engage in sexual acts with almost anyone, except those of similar high status or considered property of the high-status individuals. This concept is central to understanding the sexual ethics of the time and how they contrasted with Christian teachings.

💡Consent

The concept of 'Consent' is a modern ethical standard for sexual acts, which was absent in the Roman Empire. The script mentions that slaves, who were considered property, were subjected to sexual abuse without any notion of consent, highlighting a stark contrast with Christian teachings that emphasize the equal value of every human being.

💡Monotheism

The video introduces the concept of 'Monotheism' through the teachings of Christianity, which posits that all human beings, regardless of gender or social status, are made in the image of God. This belief system underpinned the Christian sexual ethics that promoted equality and monogamy, challenging the Roman Empire's status-based sexual ethics.

💡Monogamy

'Monogamy' is defined as a form of marriage where an individual has only one spouse at a time. The script explains that Christian teachings required monogamous marriage as the only acceptable context for sexual activity, a radical departure from the Roman Empire's permissive sexual culture.

💡Slavery

The script discusses 'Slavery' in the context of the Roman Empire, where slaves were subjected to sexual abuse and had no rights or recognition of consent. The rise of Christianity brought about a change in perspective, advocating for the dignity and equal treatment of slaves, which was a significant shift from the established norms.

💡Christian Ethics

'Christian Ethics' as presented in the video, are based on the equal value of every human being and the sanctity of monogamous marriage. The script illustrates how these ethics stood in stark contrast to the Roman Empire's social status-based sexual norms and led to a transformation in societal attitudes towards sexuality.

💡Dignity

The term 'Dignity' is used in the script to describe the inherent worth and respect that every individual, regardless of social status, should be accorded. The Christian teachings emphasized the dignity of all people, including slaves and women, which was a radical concept in the context of the Roman Empire.

💡Patriarchy

'Patriarchy' refers to a social system where men hold primary power. The video script suggests that modern interpretations of sexual ethics have often been framed as a challenge to patriarchy. However, it argues that the Christian sexual ethics, which predated modern feminism, did not impose an oppressive patriarchy but rather elevated the status of all individuals.

💡Modern Sexual Revolution

The 'Modern Sexual Revolution' is a term used in the script to describe the recent changes in sexual ethics and behaviors, particularly in the 20th century. The video contrasts this with the earlier Christian sexual revolution, suggesting that the modern revolution has not led to a brighter future but rather has caused chaos and misery, prompting a reconsideration of traditional sexual ethics.

Highlights

The sexual revolution in the 20th century was not the first; a more radical one occurred nearly 2,000 years earlier with the rise of Christianity.

In the Roman Empire, sexual ethics were based on social status, allowing high-status men almost unrestricted sexual access.

Slaves, especially children, were the most vulnerable, often subjected to sexual abuse without any concept of consent.

Christianity introduced a complete overhaul of sexual ethics, emphasizing the equal value of every human being.

Christian teaching promoted monogamous marriage as the only acceptable context for sexual activity, regardless of social status.

Christianity required spouses to freely choose their union and be faithful to one another, including men and women equally.

The concept of consent became central to Christian sexual ethics, a stark contrast to the Roman practice of treating slaves as property.

Christianity's stance against abortion and infanticide was a significant shift from Roman customs.

The first converts to Christianity were often slaves and women, highlighting the appeal of Christian sexual ethics to the marginalized.

Christianity demanded that men also practice sexual restraint until marriage, a new expectation in the Roman context.

As Christianity spread, Roman laws began to change, reflecting the new sexual ethics and protecting the rights of women and slaves.

Christian Emperors like Constantine and Valentinian I enacted laws that limited divorce and banned forced prostitution.

Theodosius II's ban on coercion in the sex industry was a protective measure for slaves and women.

Christian sexual ethics elevated the status of slaves, women, and children, granting them dignity as children of God.

The modern sexual revolution has been dismantling the sexual ethics established by Christianity over the past 2,000 years.

Ideologies such as Marxism and post-modern feminism have challenged traditional sexual ethics without offering a better alternative.

The sexual ethics of Christianity could be seen as an antidote to the chaos and misery of the modern sexual revolution.

Transcripts

when we talk today about the sexual

Revolution we usually refer to the

radical change in sexual values that

took place in the West in the 20th

century but this was not the first

sexual Revolution and it wasn't even the

most radical in fact another far more

massive sexual revolution occurred

nearly 2,000 years earlier when

Christianity took root in the first

century ad and prompted a complete

overhaul of the sexual ethics of the

dominant superpower of the day the Roman

Empire in the Roman Empire what was

sexually permissible and what was taboo

were almost entirely based on your

social status if you were a higher

status free man you could have sex with

almost anyone you wanted as long as the

other person was not also of high social

stat status or was seen to be the

property of someone of high social

status in the Roman World Harvey

Weinstein would have been completely

unremarkable the idea that a rich High

status man should have sexual access to

his social inferiors in particular his

slaves was completely unquestioned in

the era before Christianity sex with

other men women boys and girls was in

most cases socially acceptable for these

Elite men as long as the high status man

was considered the active partner and

not the passive partner next time you

want a boy buy one at the market there

were many victims of the Romans cultural

sexual hierarchy slaves often fared the

worst especially children for a Roman

upper class man there was no concept of

the sexual abuse of a slave slaves were

merely property to be used and abused at

will a slave boy or girl was viewed much

the same way that many might view

pornography today as a convenient Outlet

to quickly act on sexual lust

the Roman empire built an enormous slave

system and slave ownership impacted

nearly every element of Roman society

including using slaves bodies as sexual

play things for their brutal Masters the

mechanics of Roman sexuality were shaped

by the presence of unfree bodies across

the social Spectrum writes the historian

Kyle Harper the ubiquity of slaves meant

pervasive sexual availability slaves

were subjected to untr

sexual abuse today we understand consent

to be an important standard by which we

determine whether a sexual act is

ethical or not but for the Marriot of

slaves who served as objects for the

sexual acts of their Freeborn owners the

concept of consent was totally unheard

of P what's OD and the girl is all your

largely because of the widespread

availability of slaves pisty like

pedophilia or sex between men and young

boys was also common in Rome since sex

was based on social status slave boys

served as objects for their Master's

brutal lust cast aside when they grew

their first beard to be replaced by a

younger boy and while Freeborn Elite men

had broad sexual license the sexuality

of free women was highly controlled

under Roman rule women were nearly

always under a man's power whether he be

her father or husband and in many

circumstances she couldn't object if her

husband chose to kill their child

because it was malformed or an unwanted

girl if a father caught his daughter in

the act of adultery he was allowed to

kill his daughter and her lover into

this sexually abusive World entered

Christianity imagine being a Roman slave

or a low status woman and hearing the

teaching that all human beings male and

female are made in the image of God or

the Apostle Paul's words in Galatians

for the first time there is neither Jew

nor Greek slave nor free male nor female

for you are all one in Christ Jesus

instead of basing sexual ethics on

social status power and dominance

Christian teaching based sexual ethics

on the equal value of every human being

and it upheld freely chosen one woman

one man monogamous marriage as the only

acceptable context for any sexual

activity marriage is the Covenant that

unites a man and a woman to one another

and to any children that may proceed

from their Union instead of forced

marriage Christianity required that each

spouse freely choose the union instead

of tolerating sexual infidelity in

marriage Christianity required that each

spouse be faithful the man equally so as

the woman instead of seeing people of

lower classes women or children as

property Christianity required that they

be treated as persons with the same

dignity as anyone else any sexual act

outside of the marriage bed was

forbidden and for those who married

Christian spouses husbands and wives

were taught that their bodies belonged

to one another as gifts the husband's

body to the wife and vice versa everyone

male or female high status or slave was

called to live by the same sexual

morality this was a radical teaching

that required a dramatic transformation

in the treatment of children lower class

men and women to Christians slaves

children prostitutes women they all had

the same moral standing as Freeborn or

noble men abortion and infanticide were

also forbidden by Christians the way

that archaeologists today find an

ancient brothel is that they look for

hundreds of newborn baby bones buried in

the ground these are bones specifically

of male infants because the female

infants would be raised to be

prostitutes themselves while it was

customary among the Romans to abandon

unwanted infants to die on trash heaps

Christians would baptize and adopt these

babies everyone regardless of their

status had the same individual

responsibility and dignity is it any

surprise that so many of the first

converts to Christianity were slaves and

women many Societies in the past have

required women to stained from sex until

marriage but Christianity demanded this

of men as well many societies demanded

women to only have sex with their spouse

Christianity required this of men as

well gradually laws and Norms began to

change as Christianity spread like

wildfire throughout the Roman Empire the

first Christian emperor Constantine

ended the Roman system of unilateral

divorce in ad 331 and permitted divorce

under only a few serious circumstances

if a man divorced his wife without grave

reason for doing so he had to return her

dowy and could not remarry by the fourth

Century the Roman law recognized that

slaves could be manumitted or

emancipated in a church ritual performed

by a priest or Bishop the Christian

Emperor valentinian I banned in fantasy

in ad 374 the early Church Father John

christm taught that slaves who had

joined the church must be treated as

equals and that it would be better if

people kept no slaves at all chrisam

encouraged slave owners to educate their

slaves in a trade and then to Free Them

In AD 428 the Christian Emperor

theodosius II banned the use of coercion

in the sex industry the law was intended

to protect slaves and women from being

forced into prostitution far from

imposing an oppressive patriarchy

Christian sexual ethics elevated

virtually everyone in society the value

of slaves women and children were no

longer based Bas on their social status

but on their status as children of God

and freely chosen faithful marriage not

social status became the measure for

sexual morality monogamy eliminated all

other forms of sexual license especially

protecting vulnerable children women and

slaves from the lusts of powerful men

the legacy of Christianity lies in the

dissolution of an ancient system where

status and social reproduction scripted

the terms of sexual Mor ality Harper

writes the transition from a late

classical to a Christian sexual morality

marked a paradigm shift a Quantum Leap

to a new foundational logic of sexual

ethics in which the cosmos replaced the

city as the framework of morality

Christian sexual ethics eventually

became the norm in the Western World

this was a gradual process as Jurish

prudence and cultural expectations

developed over the course of the next

2,000 years but for close to two

Millennia there was a near Universal

understanding in the western world that

an enduring marriage between a man and a

woman was the Bedrock of civilization

ethical values centered on the idea that

sexual activity belongs within the bond

of marriage between a man and a woman

who were open to children today with the

modern sexual Revolution well underway

we've been breaking down this system of

sexual ethics that has been the standard

for the past 2,000 years a combination

of toxic ideologies including Marxism

second way feminism and hedonistic post-

relativism has rejected these ethics in

the name of equality for women or

Liberation or dismantling the patriarchy

but it doesn't make good on its promises

the reality is the sexual revolution of

the 20th century hasn't led us to a

brighter future instead our modern

sexual revolution has destroyed the

lives and the happiness of millions of

people can the same sexual ethics that

revolutionized Roman society proclaiming

the Dignity of every man woman and child

regardless of social status and

elevating the value of fidelity and

sacrificial love be the antidote to

today chaos and misery let's find out

[Music]