Humor That Backfired Horribly – The Tyrant Who Was Killed Over a Gay Joke

Periander of Ambracia - Pederasty was acceptable in ancient Greece, but joking about it was not

Advertisements

In the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, some gay relationships between men were acceptable, or at least tolerated. Ancient Greeks and Roman did not tolerate all homosexuality, as we understand that term today. Carnal relations between men did not carry much of a stigma in of itself – at least not for the top, or the one who did the penetration. Exclusive bottoms – the ones penetrated – were reviled, though. Effeminate behavior by a man jeopardized his social status. Tough and manly homosexuals were respected. Those perceived as girlie, were not. As seen below, an ancient Greek tyrant’s failure to understand where the line lay between acceptable and unacceptable gay jokes got him killed.

Homosexuality in Greco-Roman Culture

A historical painting depicting a scene from ancient Greek culture, featuring a young man dressed in armor and wearing a red cape, interacting closely with another man, while a boy observes in the background. — Alexander the Great and Hephaestion, by Andrea Camessi. Belas Artes

Many ancient Greek and Roman rulers engaged in homosexual relations with other men, with no loss of prestige. Examples include Alexander the Great and his longtime lover Hephaestion, and Roman Emperor Hadrian. The latter was so passionate about a young gay lover, Antinous, that he had him made into a god after his unexpected accidental death. However, such prominent men were all tops, and refrained from effeminate behavior. Rulers who broke that taboo, such as the flamboyantly effeminate Roman Emperor Heliogabalus, came to a bad end. So huge was the taboo against effeminacy that to even joke about it could prove fatal.

A close-up image of two ancient marble busts, one depicting a bearded man in a toga and the other of a young man with a smooth face and wavy hair, representing historical figures from ancient Greece or Rome. — Busts of Hadrian and his lover, Antinous. Pinterest

One powerful man who found that out the hard way was Periander, a seventh century BC Greek tyrant of Ambracia. He paid dearly for a gay joke that he cracked at the expense of his lover. It began when Periander drank too much, and joked to his young lover: “aren’t you pregnant by me yet?” Whatever the rest of the audience thought of the joke, Periander’s lover did not appreciate it – and left no doubt about just how little he appreciated it.

Periander of Ambracia Paid Dearly for Making His Lover the Butt of a Gay Joke

As seen above, ancient Greek attitudes towards homosexual acts were complicated. Homosexual acts could be acceptable, but talking about them, as in kiss and tell, was not. Especially when it came to other free Greek men, as there was a heavy stigma of effeminacy attached to receptive partners, or bottoms who were penetrated. Ancient Greek culture was a macho one, in which masculinity and martial prowess were highly esteemed. In such a society, perceptions of effeminacy could greatly damage a man’s status.

Ancient stone wall with towers and greenery under a clear blue sky. — Fortification walls of ancient Ambracia. Imgur

Periander made matters worse by cracking his drunken joke in the presence of others at his court. That immediately elevated matters from what could have been handled as a private lovers’ quarrel, and into a public humiliation of the joke’s target. Periander thought his joke was hilarious, and according to ancient accounts, so did many of those present.

Advertisements

One person who did not think it was funny was the tyrant’s young lover, the butt of the joke. Personal honor was involved, as men who acted the role of women were despised in the macho culture of ancient Greece. Shamed that his lover had accused him of effeminacy, and enraged that he had done so in public, he grabbed a knife and stabbed Periander to death then and there.

Advertisements