Images of Ancient Greek Pederasty: Boys Were Their Gods

Sexual relations between men and adolescent boys were a social institution in Athens, Sparta and some other Greek states. This book surveys the history of this practice and the scholarly attention that has been given to it. The bulk of the book collects a large representative selection of vase paintings and other pictorial evidence for the practice, from illustrations of courting (making gifts, e.g. of a hare or a cock) to more graphic scenes. It is the most comprehensive treatment available of an institution that has few modern parallels. Cantarella is well known as an authority on the history of ancient sexuality, and Andrew Lear as a historian of Greek art. The book also incorporates a complete catalogue, compiled by Keith de Vries, of relevant vase-paintings.