From table of Comparisons

Men and Women - Greek Thoughts

Men should contribute to the state politically and on the battlefield.

Women should run successful households and bear children

Marriage - Greek Thoughts

It is a very important institution for the state as it guaranteed the parentage of children. Marriage could also be a political arrangement between the two families.

Sex - Greek Thoughts

Within marriage it is important for procreation.

Women were expected to be virgins when they married. Men could have a number of sexual relationships.

Love - Greek Thoughts

Although marriages were arranged there is evidence for love between married couples.

Desire - Greek Thoughts

There were many examples in Greek mythology of the destructive power of overweening desire or passion.

Homoerotic relationships - Greek Thoughts

There is evidence for homoerotic relationships between men and women. Homoerotic relationships between men were a key element of ancient Greek society.

Men and Women - Roman Thoughts

Men have a duty to the state in politics and warfare.

Women should run the household.

Men and women can own property and run a business.

Marriage - Roman Thoughts

It is an extremely important part of citizenship and for the state.

It was used for political influence and producing children.

Sex - Roman Thoughts

Adultery was illegal, though men can have sexual relations with slaves and infamis.

A women should only have sex with her husband.

Sex is important for procreation

Love - Roman Thoughts

They are arranged, but love can develop between a man and wife.

Further marriages (after the first arranged marriage) could be for love.

Desire - Roman Thoughts

A Roman man's desire is related to his role as the dominant sexual partner.

His desire needs to be controlled and appropriate, but it is an expression of his power.

Homoerotic relationships - Roman Thoughts

Between citizen men is not tolerated.

But homoerotic relationships with an infamis or slave are acceptable.

There is evidence also for female homoerotic relationships.

Men and Women - Plato

Men should seek after the truth. They should serve the state by exhibiting self-control.

It is important that women are controlled.

Marriage - Plato

In his Republic (449a-466e), Socrates proposes a radical restructuring of marriage and the family.

Sex - Plato

It is pleasurable and useful to society as children are produced.

Love - Plato

In Symposium, it is described by Diotima as the search for goodness.

Desire - Plato

It should be understood and resisted. Physical desire is less honourable than intellectual desire.

Homoerotic relationships - Plato

In Symposium, Pausanias describes how love can develop in a homoerotic relationship between an erastes and an eromenos.

Men and Women - Seneca

The wise man should avoid the pleasures of the body and focus on the needs of the soul.

Humanity is one community, so the same is true for women.

Marriage - Seneca

It is a bond of 'pure love', similar to friendship. A husband and wife should love each other with no thought of advantage.

Sex - Seneca

It is the ultimate indulgence of lust. It is necessary only to continue the human race. It should otherwise be avoided, as it is ruinous to the soul.

Love - Seneca

It is similar to friendship.

It is sought with no thought of advantage for oneself, but rather for the advantage of the other.

Desire - Seneca

It should be avoided. It is the longing of the body, not of the soul, and therefore harms the Stoic rather than helping him.

Homoerotic relationships -Seneca

They are an indulgence of lust, since there is no hope of procreation through them. Therefore, they should be avoided.

Men and Women - Sappho

Men occasionally feature as figures of fun.

Woman are celebrated as independent but also changeable.

Marriage - Sappho

It is a cause of both celebration and mourning as the girl passes from girlhood into adulthood.

Sex - Sappho

It relieves the pains of desire - presented through natural imagery

Love - Sappho

It is both painful and pleasurable

Desire - Sappho

The symptoms of it are physically painful and overpowering.

Homoerotic relationships -Sappho

They are celebrated and has a lot of focus in the their writings.

Predominantly talks about the stage before marriage when the relationships take place.

Men and Women - Ovid

Men and women are in a battle to seduce each other.

Both men and women must arm themselves in the battle of the sexes.

Marriage - Ovid

It is something to be avoided.

If a woman has the misfortune to be married, then sex with her is difficult to get to.

Sex - Ovid

It is the ultimate goal of love.

It is fun, frivolous and to be sought at all costs.

Sex does not need rules imposed on it.

It is purely recreational.

Love - Ovid

It is a skill that can be taught.

Once you have learnt it then you can win the battle of the sexes and indulge in your pleasures.

Desire - Ovid

It is a weapon which can be used against the opposite sex, but is also the driving force behind our actions.

Homoerotic relationships - Ovid

He is unconcerned with these types of relationships because in the world he creates men and women are overwhelmed with a desire for the opposite sex, not their own.