10 Surprising and Saucy Sex Facts From the Days of Caesar

Well, well, well, you naughty little history buff. Feeling frisky and curious about how the Romans got down and dirty, are you? You've come to the right place. The ancient Romans were a randy bunch and didn't shy away from matters of the flesh. In fact, some of their sexual proclivities and practices would make even the most libertine among us blush crimson. Ever wonder what kinky contraptions they used in the bedroom or how they kept things spicy for centuries? Read on, you inquisitive minx, as we reveal 10 surprising and saucy sex facts from the days of Caesar guaranteed to get your toga in a twist.

Ancient Roman Orgies: Myth or Reality?

The orgies of ancient Rome are the stuff of legend, but how much of that is actually true? While public sex spectacles and lavish private parties were not unheard of, the reality was a bit more modest.

• The notorious emperor Caligula was known for extravagant indulgences, but most accounts of his orgies were likely exaggerated. More common were private dinner parties that ended in drunken revelry and casual couplings.

• Group sex was typically only for the wealthy and powerful. For most Romans, intimacy was a private matter, though they were open about sexuality. They celebrated fertility and saw sex as a natural human act.

• Prostitution was legal and common. Many prostitutes worked in brothels, called lupanaria, offering services at all price points. Some became quite successful, though most lived difficult lives.

• Bisexuality was openly accepted for both men and women. However, most Romans still married and had families. Homosexual relationships were more common among soldiers and slaves.

• Contraception and abortion were widely practiced. The Romans were adept at plant-based medicines and primitive barrier methods like pessaries.

• The Vestal Virgins were one of the only celibate groups. These priestesses dedicated 30 years of their lives to keeping the sacred fire of Vesta burning. If they broke their vow, the punishment was severe.

While the Romans were uninhibited in many ways, the orgiastic secret rites and free-for-alls of legend were mostly poetic license. Behind the scenes, they dealt with the same relationship issues we face today – just with a more open and adventurous attitude!

Prostitution Was Legal and Regulated

Prostitution was not only legal in Rome, but a huge booming business. Brothels were common, ranging from seedy joints to lavish pleasure houses patronized by the elite. Many prostitutes were slaves or poor women struggling to get by, but some were highly educated Greeks renowned for their beauty and skills.

Courtesans and concubines

The most coveted were courtesans, who provided cultured companionship and entertainment as well as sex. Rich men kept concubines, who were long-term mistresses. These women wielded enormous influence and amassed wealth and power.

• Emperors were known for keeping enormous harems of concubines. The notorious Caligula had casual sex with friends' wives at dinner parties!

• Brothels employed slave women of many ethnicities, catering to a variety of tastes. Customers could take their pick from redheads, Nubians, Asians, and more.

• Contraception was primitive. Prostitutes used primitive diaphragms and herbal potions, while the pull-out method was popular. Not surprisingly, Rome suffered no shortage of illegitimate children!

You see, those randy Romans really knew how to let their hair down and have a good time. Their open attitude toward sexuality allowed prostitution to flourish and created opportunities for women to gain independence in an otherwise male-dominated world. No wonder the era is still so irresistibly intriguing today!

Contraception and Abortion Were Available

You saucy minx, the days of Caesar were quite risqué! Contraception and even abortion were commonplace, so Romans were free to get frisky without fear of consequences.

Contraception

The Romans had a veritable menu of contraceptive options to choose from. Ladies could insert olive oil, honey, or vinegar-soaked wool into their lady parts to create a spermicidal barrier. Men could wrap their members in linen sheaths soaked in saltpeter, which may have had some contraceptive effect. The most popular choice though was silphium, an herb with contraceptive and abortifacient properties. Unfortunately, silphium was harvested to extinction.

Abortion

If contraception failed, abortion was legal and common in Rome up until the fetus began moving in the womb (around 20 weeks). Methods included drugs like silphium, vigorous massage, and tools to puncture the amniotic sac. Midwives were skilled at safely performing abortions, though risks of hemorrhage, infection, and even death were still present without today’s medical knowledge.

While the Romans were very open about sexuality, their views on abortion and infanticide make modern eyes widen. But in a time when infant mortality was high and female children were often seen as a burden, their perspectives were shaped by necessity.

You see, behind the grandeur of the Colosseum and the Forum lies a bawdy world of pleasure and practicality. The Romans knew how to live and love with abandon, in a way that might make even the boldest among us blush! Their proclivity for pleasure knew no bounds.

Homosexuality Was Common and Accepted

Homosexuality was openly practiced and accepted in ancient Rome. In fact, Roman men were free to enjoy sex with other men without a loss of masculinity or social status. As long as a Roman man took the dominant role in the act of sex, he would not be stigmatized.

Some Roman emperors even had male lovers and partners. The emperor Hadrian, for example, was so devoted to his lover Antinous that he had him deified after his death. Other well-known Romans also had male lovers, like the poet Virgil. For Roman women, lesbian relationships were also accepted and even fashionable at times.

Rather than being based on sexual orientation or attraction, Roman sexuality was more focused on the role you played in the act of penetration. The penetrator, called the “active” or “dominant” partner, was not looked down upon, and could continue to fulfill all the male social expectations like marriage and having children. The “passive” partner, or the one being penetrated, was often a slave or male prostitute and risked being seen as “unmanly.”

• Male same-sex relationships were common in the Roman army, with soldiers taking young boys as lovers.

• Public baths and gymnasiums were popular places for men to meet male lovers and partners.

• Male prostitutes, called “pueri delicati”, provided their services to wealthy Roman men. They were seen as suitable for recreation but not as lifelong partners.

• Lesbian relationships between women were tolerated as long as they were discreet and did not interfere with a woman's duties to her husband and family.

The open acceptance of homosexuality was just one of the many aspects that made sexuality in ancient Rome rather liberal compared to other time periods. As long as you played by the rules of dominance and discretion, you were free to pursue relationships with whichever gender you fancied.

The Emperors' Scandalous Sex Lives

Oh, those saucy Caesars. When they weren't conquering new lands or reforming the government, the emperors indulged in some truly scandalous affairs.

Caligula's Sisterly Love

The mad emperor Caligula took the cake for depravity. He was accused of incest with all three of his sisters, even parading them around the palace as his consorts. His favorite sister, Drusilla, accompanied him everywhere. When she died, he had her deified as a goddess. Talk about a troubled sibling relationship!

Nero's Debauched Parties

The eccentric Nero threw lavish parties that would put Hugh Hefner to shame. His "entertainments" featured nudity, orgies, and all manner of carnal delights. Nero himself would often strip down and cavort with his guests. He even had a special room in his Golden House devoted solely to these lusty soirees.

Elagabalus' Many Lovers

The gender-bending Elagabalus, who preferred to be called a lady, took many lovers of all genders. He had five marriages to women, but he really preferred the company of male charioteers, barbers, and soldiers in his Praetorian guard. Elagabalus would bathe in rose petals with his favorites and lavish them with gifts and honors. His grandmother was not a fan of these antics, to put it mildly.

From Caligula's incest to Nero's orgies to Elagabalus' pansexuality, the emperors pushed the boundaries of morality and propriety. Their outrageous sex lives have endured for centuries, proving that while power corrupts, it also provides plenty of opportunities to get frisky. The emperors indulged their every desire, without shame or consequence, and the result was a set of sex scandals that would rock the ancient world.

Well, lover, what did you think of that racy trip back through time? Those Romans sure knew how to live - and love. Now, don't get any ideas about orgies or public fornication. Those days are long gone. But maybe there's an adventurous spark or two you can rekindle with your sweetheart. A lusty meal by candlelight, a playful romp somewhere secluded, a secret code word that means 'tonight, my place.' The past may be the past, but passion is forever. So go on, you cheeky thing. Tap into your inner Caesar and unleash your pent-up desires. The night is young, and so are you. Carpe diem! Seize the moment - and your lover. The future can wait until dawn. For now, let the revelry begin!

10 sex facts about Caesar