Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Episode: The Origins of Sexting
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Kate Lister
Guest: Owen Hodkinson, Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Culture at Leeds University

Introduction to Erotic Correspondence in Antiquity

In this riveting episode of Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society, host Kate Lister delves into the intriguing world of ancient erotic and love letters, drawing parallels to modern-day sexting. The episode, titled "The Origins of Sexting," features an in-depth conversation with Owen Hodkinson, a classical scholar specializing in Greek and Roman culture.

Defining Love and Erotic Letters

Owen Hodkinson begins by exploring the nuanced distinctions between love letters and erotic letters in ancient civilizations. He explains, "So there's, I mean, they're all letters to do with Eros, the Greek God of love, and the Greek word eros, that means love, but in a kind of sexual desire way rather than kind of platonic or familial love" (04:58). This categorization encompasses both romantic expressions and more explicitly sexual propositions, which under contemporary definitions might fall under sexting.

Physical Medium and Context

The conversation shifts to the physical aspects of letter-writing in antiquity. Owen elucidates, "Ancient letters... would have been mostly on papyrus or on wood tablets, so more easily transportable than your kind of stone inscriptions" (05:51). Unlike today’s digital messages, these letters were tangible items, often penned by hand to maintain intimacy and personal connection.

Content and Themes: Echoes of Modern Romance

Kate probes into the similarities between ancient and modern love letters, questioning whether ancient expressions of love resonate today. Owen responds, "So I think there's certainly things that are recognisable... with the influence of these ancient letters on modern... literature" (06:11). Themes of longing, separation, and intense desire are perennial, bridging the gap between ancient texts and contemporary romantic expressions.

A Glimpse into Ancient Erotic Letters

One of the most captivating moments is when Owen reads an authentic first-century A.D. Greek letter:

"Appian and Epimas proclaim to their best beloved Epaphroditos, that if you allow us to bugger you, and if it's fine with you, we will not thrash you any longer. If you allow us to bugger you, farewell." (11:12)

Owen Hodkinson: "It's more for their own kind of... they're imitating the formal approach of a love letter or erotic letter by having this kind of farewell... it's essentially a threat of sexual assault." (12:38)

This letter starkly contrasts with the romanticized versions often depicted in literature, highlighting the complex power dynamics and societal norms of the time.

Challenges of Preservation: The Scarcity of Evidence

Owen emphasizes the limited number of surviving letters, noting, "Literally you could count them on less than all ten fingers... most of these are letters on papyrus. So we have letters from Oxyrhynchus and other places in Egypt because the dry conditions preserved a lot of our papyri" (10:38). The fragile nature of papyrus and the specificity of preservation environments mean that only a handful of genuine erotic and love letters have withstood the test of time.

Influence on Later Literature: From Ovid to the Renaissance

The discussion transitions to the enduring influence of ancient love letters on later literary traditions. Owen highlights how Ovid's Heroides, a collection of fictional letters from mythological women to their abandoned lovers, set a precedent for expressing intense emotional states:

"One kind of change that we do start to see is... in Robert, when the Roman Empire converts to Christianity..." (32:20)

He draws connections to Renaissance writers, such as Ben Jonson, who translated Philostratus’ love letters into English verse, thereby perpetuating the literary tropes established in antiquity.

Pederasty and Same-Sex Relationships in Ancient Contexts

A substantial portion of the episode delves into the complexities of pederasty and same-sex relationships in ancient Greece and Rome. Owen explains:

"Classical Athenian society... thinks it's a great thing among a kind of aristocratic society to have these pederastic relations." (24:04)

"The Romans take that up and... theorize that in societies where marriages are arranged, the chase for romantic seduction targets younger males rather than women." (24:35)

He clarifies that while pederastic relationships were socially sanctioned, adult same-sex relationships were generally frowned upon, highlighting the societal structures that shaped these interactions.

Scarcity of Lesbian Correspondence

Addressing the representation of women, Owen admits the paucity of surviving letters from lesbians, stating:

"In the ancient world, there is very little reference to same-sex desire between women." (29:38)

The exception he mentions is a letter from Sappho to her former lover Faon, but such examples are exceedingly rare.

Influence on Oscar Wilde and Victorian Society

The episode examines the resurgence and reinterpretation of ancient erotic texts during the Victorian era, particularly regarding Oscar Wilde. Owen notes:

"Oscar Wilde... evoking [classical antiquity] as part of the defense of homosexual love... using the noble precedents of the Greeks and Romans." (35:35)

Wilde and his contemporaries utilized translations of Philostratus' love letters to argue for the legitimacy of same-sex relationships, leveraging classical acceptance to challenge Victorian norms.

Modern Perspectives: Privacy and Blackmail

Owen draws parallels between ancient and modern privacy concerns, remarking on how intimate letters have historically been susceptible to misuse:

"Love letters can be... used to blackmail or to bring someone down... as happened with Oscar Wilde." (37:52)

This underscores the timeless vulnerability associated with intimate correspondence, whether penned on papyrus or typed on digital platforms.

Continuity and Change in Love Letter Themes

Exploring the evolution of emotional expression, Owen observes a persistent intensity in love letters across epochs:

"Expressions of missing and longing and burning with desire... resonate through all the ancient and modern imitators." (38:57)

However, he also notes subtle shifts in how these emotions are conveyed, influenced by cultural and societal changes.

Conclusion: Reflections on Love Letters

In closing, Owen reflects on the enduring legacy of ancient love letters:

"These kinds of expressions are there in kind of romantic cliches... but perspective changes everything." (39:45)

Kate and Owen muse on the transformation of love letters from profound declarations to, in some cases, perceived over-the-top romantic gestures in modern contexts.

Final Thoughts and Additional Resources

Owen encourages listeners to explore his work further, "If you search for my name, there aren't many... if you put love letters in that search as well, you will find all sorts of information about the book, about the project and the project as a whole." (40:27)

Key Quotes from the Episode

• Owen Hodkinson on Erotic Letters:
  "Yes, I think so. I mean, when we think of love letters, erotic letters, I'm trying to imagine what an ancient Greek love letter would even have looked like." (05:33)

• Example of an Ancient Erotic Letter:
  "Appian and Epimas proclaim to their best beloved Epaphroditos... farewell." (11:12)

• On Pederasty in Ancient Societies:
  "Classical Athenian society... thinks it's a great thing among a kind of aristocratic society to have these pederastic relations." (24:04)

• Influence on Victorian Society:
  "Oscar Wilde... evoking [classical antiquity] as part of the defense of homosexual love." (35:35)

Final Notes

This episode offers a compelling exploration of the origins and evolution of intimate correspondence, bridging ancient practices with contemporary phenomena like sexting. Through expert analysis and engaging discussion, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how love, desire, and societal norms have been expressed through the written word across millennia.

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This summary captures the essence of the episode "The Origins of Sexting" from the podcast Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. It highlights key discussions, notable quotes with timestamps, and provides a structured overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.