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Sexuality In Ancient Egypt

Sexuality is universal in nature but different in appeal to people living in different parts of the world. Ancient Egypt had its own colouring of sexuality like all other races.

Sexuality in the religion of ancient Egypt is portrayed with adultery, incest, homosexuality and masturbation. Egyptians Gods are portrayed earthy enough to copulate. The importance of sex is revealed with their belief of enjoying it from birth to death and even in rebirth.

The fathering and child bearing ability to beget children marked the masculinity and femininity of ancient Egyptian individuals. Adultery in sex was not a permissible act and men were punished with a divorce and women were put to death. The Egyptian literature 'The Tale Of Two Brothers' bears testimony to the fact. Unmarried women however reveled in the liberty to choose their partners and enjoyed sex life to the fullest.

Incestuous marriages were common in ancient Egypt where half brothers and sisters were engaged in marital relationships. For a man to become a Pharaoh, he had to marry a royal princess who would necessarily be his half sister. A sister could mean a wife or a mistress too.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Contraception and abortions were both prevalent in Egypt. Prostitutes dressed themselves attractively and painted their lips red. This was one of the beauty secrets of ancient Egypt. Egyptians enjoyed in involving themselves in face-to-face sex or anal sex.

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Lettuce, ginger, fennel, pomegranates, coriander with wine and radish mixed with honey were some of the common aphrodisiacs. The priests were forbidden to have onions as it aroused the sexual desires. Other unusual aphrodisiacs were pearls dissolved in a cup of wine and baboon faces added to aphrodisiac ointments. The wealthy people in Egypt clothed themselves in long see through robes and slaves were always naked.

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Sex was an important aspect in the life of ancient Egyptians where they believed in enjoying sex even after their death. False pennies and nipples were attached to the mummies in order to get engaged in an active sex life even after their death. The Egyptians also believed in begetting children even after their death by installing fertility dolls with wide child bearing hips and paddle dolls that ended abruptly at a wide pubic area with tiny heads, arms and legs.

Thus the ancient Egyptians enjoyed sex almost to the fullest not only during their lifetime but believed to enjoy sex even after the culmination of their earthly life.

Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2006, 9:10 [IST]

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