rob@denelcor.UUCP (Rob Wahl) (07/17/84)
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Roman society was most "accepting" of homosexuality during its
golden age, and most of the emperors during this time were either bisexual
or homosexual. The "fall" occurred under a succession of heterosexual
rulers (with, I believe, one exception), and a growing climate of hostility
toward homosexuality, largely influenced by the migration of the population
from the cities back to rural areas, where children were required to help
work the land. These facts are even recorded by Gibbon, who was far from
sympathetic in his references to homosexuality.
That many people believe the reverse to be true is an example of
how historians "lie", often by omission. It is thus not surprising that
people will warn you against placing too much credence in information
obtained from hostile sources. The fall occurred under an increasing adherence
to Christian belief (or at least dogma). How much significance should we
attach to this coincidence?
Mr. Dubois, you tend to exaggerate the intent, and thereby the
content, of rejoinders to your questions and opinions. If you want answers,
you must be willing to listen, and to realize that what you hear is not the
same as what is said.
(I wrote the above last week, and notice that someone has already
echoed my thoughts on the net. I am posting this unaltered, in confirmation.)
Robert Wahl {...hao!denelcor!rob}