When talking about Italian history and homosexuality, people often spontaneously invoke the rainbow triad: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. Knowing that three of the most important artists in history shared my same sexuality gives me a bit of comfort, especially considering recent events in my home country. After painful years of discussions and many setbacks, Italy finally recognised same-sex civil unions in The senators who voted against it celebrated the news inside parliament by exulting and clapping like their favorite football team had just won the Champions League.
Speaking of which, among the over 2, Italian professional footballers, I am not aware of anyone who has come out of the closet. Not a single one. However, Italy has a rich history of homosexuality that goes beyond celebrated artists to embrace common people too. Way before then, in the 6th century BC, the Etruscans left frescoes in Tarquinia, Lazio depicting men engaging in anal sex, and the Ancient Greeks had imported their same-sex relationsβa form of civil education for young menβto their colonies in South Italy.
The stars went to Nero, who allegedly married two of his freedmen, and Trajan, famous for his fondness for boys. Homosexual relationships the way we intend them todayβbetween two free adultsβwere rarely allowed. Patriarchy was all the rage in the empire and Roman men, who were obsessed with their virility then as now, could have sex with other men only if they took the penetrative role.
Male prostitution was very common, regulated, and taxed for a good profit for the Empire. By the Later Roman Empire, a strict concept of sexuality for the lower class had become dominant. Morality had changed towards a substantial condemnation of homosexuality, which found a perfect match in the incipient Christian ethics.
Graffiti in Pompeii reveals the homophobia of the average passerby with some added notes of color. Who knew that, along with numerals and aqueducts, Ancient Romans invented bottom-shaming too? The jurisdiction was passed on to the Byzantines and from there, went straight through the Middle Ages. We Italians have always had a flair for the dramatic. There, Dante meets his guardian and teacher Brunetto Latini, described with immense affection and respect.
