brute beast, a man with a man, or a man unnaturally against a woman. This term is often used interchangeably with 'sodomy'" (Black, 1979, p. 176). For purposes of this paper, the term Sodomy shall primarily be used when speaking of the punishable, legal offense.
Sodomy was a common practice in ancient Greece (Steegman, 1988, p. 382), and although Plato himself was believed to be homosexual (Lasson, 1985, 649), he was first on record to espouse its prohibition (Steegman, 1988, p. 382). (Interestingly, one author notes that "'[a]s far as Plato was concerned, romantic passion was only possible between men and boys'" (Slovenko, 1985, p. 445).) Specifically as to homosexual sodomy, Steegman (1988) cited Plato as calling the practice "'unnatural'" (p. 382). While Plato acknowledged the public resistance his position would no-doubt foster, he -- in the words of Steegman -- believed it to be "essential in ensuring the masculinity and fecundity of the Greek race" (Id.). Plato further maintained that sexual relations between males impaired the formation of traits associated with masculinity, such as bravery and self-discipline (Lasson, 1985, p. 649). Plato's position was not merely pragmatic in its approach, but was also founded in morality. Again citing Plato, Steegman notes, "'it is the law's simple duty to go straight on its way and tell our citizens that it is not for them to behave worse than birds and other creatures which flock together in large bodies'" (Id.).
Aristotle also condemned homosexual sodomy as "'the result of a constitution naturally depraved,'" and an "'unnatural sexual appetite'" (Id.). Going further than Plato, Aristotle equated sodomy with "cannibalism," stating that "'sometimes . . . a man not only suffers from [an] infirmity, but is also mastered by it'" (Id.).
During the Roman Republic and throughout the Empire, sodomy was likewise a common practice, albeit, this did not preclude the government ...