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→Extra-biblical occurrences
==Extra-biblical occurrences==
==Extra-biblical occurrences==
The two most principal areas of historical inquiry which have been studied by historians in relation to ancient occurrences of homosexuality are [[Greek Homosexuality|Greek homosexuality]] [[Roman Homosexuality|Roman homosexuality]].
The two most principal areas of historical inquiry which have been studied by historians in relation to ancient occurrences of homosexuality are [[Greek Homosexuality|Greek homosexuality]] and [[Roman Homosexuality|Roman homosexuality]].
Homosexuality is seen among mythological Greek gods (similar Romans gods had Latin names<ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/myths.html Roman and greek mythology of gods and goddesses]</ref><ref>[http://www.americanbible.org/absport/news/item.php?id=80 Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses]</ref><ref>http://messagenet.com/myths/immortals.html</ref>). These include
As James B. De Young notes, homosexuality seems to have existed more widely among the ancient Greeks more than among any other ancient culture. The main form of this was pederasty, a custom that seems to have been practiced mostly among the upper classes, in which an older man (the ''erastest'') would make a young free boy (the ''eromenos'') his sex partner, and become his mentor. This was regulated by the State as an institution. Slave boys could also subjected to such. However, this practice was usually a supplement to marriage,<ref>Dover, K.J., Greek Homosexuality (Harvard University Press, 1989, as summarized in "Homosexuality," Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, August 2002)</ref> and thus is seen as being done by bisexuals, though it is held by some that most homosexuals are also such today.<ref>Dr. John R. Diggs, Jr., author of The Health Risks Of Gay Sex, referenced at http://www.narth.com/docs/britjournal.html</ref> The practice of pederasty is mentioned in Homer's ''Illiad'', and is evidenced to have existed at least 4500 years in ancient Egypt.
Yet the Greeks also practiced other forms of homoeroticism. Homosexual relations existed among equals, though it was considered problematic, as while the predominate man was considered to be masculine, the one who played the female role would be seen as inferior.<ref>John Boardman et al, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World, 1986, pp. 225-226.</ref> The famous Greek philosopher [[Plato]] around 348 B.C. describes and implies the widespread practice of such, and advocates laws to regulate it.<ref>Laws 636a-c; 835-c; 836a-e; 838b-839b; 840de; 841de</ref> One of the most explicit records of disapproval of homosexuality is found in Laws 636c, in which Plato, speaking through the character of the Athenian stranger, describes homosexual relations as an "enormity" or "crime" (tolmema), and explains that it derives from being enslaved to pleasure. He plainly rejects homosexual behavior as "unnatural" (para physin), as “When male unites with female for procreation the pleasure experienced is held to be due to nature, but contrary to nature when male mates with male or female with female”. Homosexuality is also described regarded as shameful by barbarians and by those who live under despotic governments.<ref>[http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/romans_malick.pdf David E. Malick, "The Condemnation of Homosexuality in Romans 1:26-27"]</ref><ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9406/opinion/opinion.html First Things, Peter L. Berger, Leadership U.]</ref>
==Homosexuality in myths===
Homosexuality is seen by many among mythological Greek gods (similar Romans gods had Latin names<ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/myths.html Roman and greek mythology of gods and goddesses]</ref><ref>[http://www.americanbible.org/absport/news/item.php?id=80 Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses]</ref><ref>http://messagenet.com/myths/immortals.html</ref>). Instances and possibilities include
*Zeus and Ganymede,
*Zeus and Ganymede,
*Heracles (or Hercules) and Hylas,
*Heracles (or Hercules) and Hylas,
*Narcissus and Ameinias.
*Narcissus and Ameinias.
*Other gods who to homosexual affairs are attributed include Orpheus ("the first man to love boys"), Boreas (god of the North Wind) and Thamyris.<ref>[http://everything2.com/title/Homosexuals%2520of%2520Greek%2520Mythology Homosexuals of Greek Mythology]</ref>
Other gods who to homosexual affairs are attributed include Orpheus ("the first man to love boys"), Boreas (god of the North Wind) and Thamyris.<ref>[http://everything2.com/title/Homosexuals%2520of%2520Greek%2520Mythology Homosexuals of Greek Mythology]</ref>
==Non-uniform occurrence==
==Non-uniform occurrence==