Todo Concostrina: “Ius Osculi”, la prueba de alcoholemia en Roma

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Episode Date: April 13, 2023
Episode Theme: Examining the machista Roman practice of the “ius osculi”—the right of male family members to kiss women to detect if they had consumed wine, contextualized by the historical significance of the kiss on International Kissing Day.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina offers her signature witty and critical take on an ancient Roman tradition, the "ius osculi," or the "right of the kiss." Ostensibly a sign of affection, this so-called "right" was in reality a patriarchal method of policing women’s behavior—specifically, whether they had drank wine. Concostrina deftly unpacks the legal, social, and misogynistic implications of this law, sharing anecdotes, historical context, and memorable quips, all while connecting the topic to International Kissing Day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Talk About Kisses in Ancient Rome?

• International Kissing Day serves as a pretext to look back at Roman history and its peculiar customs.
• The episode underscores the value of knowing history:
  “Es importante conocer la historia para entender mejor el presente, proyectar el futuro y esas cosas.” – Host (00:28)

The Ius Osculi: Kissing as an Alcohol Test

• In ancient Rome, kissing was misused as a test for drunkenness in women.
• Patriarchal double standard:
  • Men could drink as much wine as they liked.
  • Women—especially respected matrons—were forbidden from even smelling it.
• Widely accepted sexist logic held that wine made women prone to adultery and loss of control, while men supposedly maintained better self-mastery (“Porque yo lo valgo” – Nieves, 02:07).
• “El ius osculi… un control de alcoholemia. Yo no veo a la Guardia Civil de tráfico diciendo 'sople aquí. Dame un besito.’” – Nieves, mocking the logic (02:37)

Who Had 'the Right' to Kiss?

• Any male relative—husband, sons, fathers, uncles, cousins (and possibly brothers-in-law)—could enforce the law:
  “El marido, los hijos varones, los padres, los tíos, los primos, los cuñados… ellas estaban obligadas por ley.” – Nieves (03:15)
• The rationale was backed by mythological authority (Rómulo), not actual law or deities.
• “Siempre viene bien decir que hay que hacer tal cosa porque la ha ordenado alguien que no existe…” – Nieves (03:33)

What Happened if a Woman Was Caught?

• The process could be verified by multiple male family members if there was a dispute:
  “Llamaban a otro guardia civil para asegurarse. Bésala tú, a ver si también te sabe el aliento a vino.” – Nieves (05:07)
• Consequences ranged from divorce to violent punishment, even murder, all decided unilaterally by the husband/family:
  • “El marido podía repudiar o podía divorciarse… el castigo lo elegía el marido, desde encerrarla en un cuarto hasta asesinarla si quería.” (05:20)
• Cases of women being beaten or starved to death are recorded, though Nieves emphasizes these were not everyday outcomes.

Duration and End of the Ius Osculi

• Longstanding practice: In place from at least 200 BCE to about 30 CE (Republic to early Empire).
• Abolished/reduced under Emperor Tiberius because of herpes epidemics:
  “Tanto beso con tanto pariente trajo una epidemia de herpes labial… Dejad de besaros todos sin ganas.” – Nieves (07:30)

Wine in Roman Society

• Wine was a social unifier and marker of status; convivium (Roman dinner parties) were centered around drinking.
• Equality was absent in banquets:
  • “En un banquete… tres clases de vino: una para el anfitrión y los invitados principales, otro para los menos cercanos, otro para los libertos [ex-slaves].” – Nieves (10:17)
• Anecdotes from ancient poets like Marcial highlight the lingering classism and opportunism at Roman feasts.

Subversive & Humorous Reflections

• Nieves pokes fun at modern interpretations:
  • “¿Comida de trabajo? ¿Qué coño es esto? Una perversión del lenguaje.” – Nieves (09:30)
• Recurring theme: “Siempre ha habido clases.”
  • Even ex-slaves who got rich (“libertos”) were looked down upon as nouveau riche.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the hypocrisy of men controlling women’s drinking:
  “Es que es exactamente el mismo efecto que tenía el vino en los hombres… pero según ellos mismos tenían más control sobre su voluntad.” (01:49–02:07)
• On kissing as law enforcement:
  “El ius osculi… un control de alcoholemia… Sople aquí. Dame un besito.” (02:37–02:48)
• On the punishment process:
  “Llamaban a otro guardia civil… libre albedrío para el castigo, el marido podía repudiar o divorciarse… Otras veces, hasta asesinarlas si quería. Todo ello, sin juicio público.” (05:07–05:55)
• On ending the ius osculi:
  “Tiberio… intentó acabar con el derecho de beso por una cuestión social más que moral… trajo una epidemia de herpes labial.” (07:30–08:20)
• On class stratification at dinners:
  “En Roma había mucho gorrón. Marcial… describía muy bien las habilidades del gorrón para hacerse el encontradizo…” (10:22–11:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:28 – Introduction and relevance of history by the host
• 00:58 – Introduction of ius osculi: kissing as alcohol test and sexist context
• 03:15 – Law applied by any male family member; origins and rationale
• 05:07 – What happened if “caught”; punishments up to killing
• 07:30 – Duration and end of custom; Tiberius and herpes outbreak
• 08:59 – Wine in Roman society, banquets, class distinctions
• 10:17 – 11:19 – Three classes of wine at banquets; stories from Marcial
• 12:32 – Humorous interlude/song and closing remarks

Conclusion

This episode spotlights the “ius osculi” with piercing humor and critical reflection, illustrating how ancient practices, entrenched patriarchy, and the culture around wine intersected in Roman society. Nieves Concostrina uses sharp wit—often blending contemporary analogies with historic findings—to question what progress, if any, has been made in gender equity, while reminding listeners that “knowing history” is fundamental to understanding our present.

Host: Nieves Concostrina
Listen for: A sharp, irreverent, and highly informative breakdown of Roman customs that will make you rethink both the act of kissing and the history of policing women’s bodies.