Socrates

In ancient Greece, attitudes towards gender fluidity and sexual preferences were markedly different from many contemporary perspectives. Renowned philosophers and writers, including Plato, Herodotus, and Athenaeus, delved into discussions about sexuality. Socrates, too, is documented to have had same-sex relationships, expressing a belief that the purest form of love could be found between two men.

This sentiment, documented in Plato’s writings, underscores the acceptance of homosexuality during that era. A prominent form of same-sex relationship in ancient Greece was pederasty, typically between an adult man and an adolescent boy. Beyond a physical relationship, the elder partner was also expected to mentor and educate the younger.